2004/07/28 by Ymke Warren, Elizabeth A. Williamson
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · Psychology · #Human-Animal Interaction Studies #Primate Behavior and Ecology #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
paper · doi:10.1002/zoo.20001
openalex publication_date 2004/07/28 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/27
Abstract This report describes prolonged carriage of the corpses of two mountain gorilla infants by both related and unrelated adult females. Two hypotheses regarding this transport are considered: 1) that maternal behavior toward unrelated infants may be a by‐product of the hormonal condition of pregnancy, and 2) that the animals may be “learning to mother,” as nulliparous females could benefit from the experience of handling an infant that is no longer alive. Some factors pertinent to the event of infant deaths in captivity are considered. Zoo Biol 23:375–378, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.