The
ability to work together has been crucial to the success of our species,
allowing us to overcome many challenges. From obtaining food to constructing
skyscrapers and forming governments, humans have harnessed the power of
cooperation to achieve remarkable feats. However, the evolutionary origins of
our cooperative nature are not yet fully understood.
Previous
studies in zoos/sanctuaries have shown that chimpanzees are able to work
together quite well in groups of two. However, reports of possible cooperation
from the wild often involve groups much larger than this e.g. when hunting or
patrolling. We want to better understand chimpanzee cooperation in larger group
sizes and the challenges that arise, in a controlled zoo environment. Can the
chimpanzees work together well in groups of all sizes, or is there a group size
at which coordination becomes more difficult and cooperation starts to fail?
In
this study chimpanzees have
to work
together in groups of two, three, and four to collect tasty ice cubes. Each
chimpanzee is presented with a device that requires pulling on a rope to
release a trapdoor. When the devices are
connected
together all
trapdoors need to be opened simultaneously for the group to receive the
rewards. Will they be able to overcome their competitive instincts and work
together to achieve group benefits? This research will provide insights into
the evolution of cooperation and the challenges of coordinating larger groups.