Redirection of Aggression and Consolation in Hamadryas Baboons

• Published in: Neuroscience and behavioral physiology Vol. 45; no. 4; pp. 417 - 422
• Main Authors: Butovskaya, M. L., Meishvili, N. V., Chalyan, V. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.05.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Behavior; Behavioral Sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Females; Hypotheses; Males; Monkeys & apes; Neurobiology; Neurosciences; Papio; Papio hamadryas; Reconciliation; Research centers; Russia; hamadryas baboons; postconflict behavior; consolation; redirected aggression; affiliation; reconciliation
• ISSN: 0097-0549; 1573-899X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11055-015-0091-y

The outcomes of postconflict interactions between victims of aggression and third members of the group not involved in the conflict were studied in hamadryas baboons ( Papio hamadryas ) in a reserve. Studies were performed at the Adler Primatology Center of the Research Institute of Medical Primatology in 1996–7. We present here results obtained from analysis of redirected aggression, affiliative behavior of victims with third individuals, and consolation – the joining of third parties with the victim. A total of 445 pairs were studied, these consisting of different social categories of animals (pairs: male and female from the same harem, females from the same harem, relatives, females from different harems, males, female and almost adult male). The attracted pairs method and the time-rule method were used. Redirection of aggression was found mostly to be practiced only by males acting as victims of aggression. Both male victims and female victims typically initiated affiliative interactions with third individuals immediately after conflicts. Consolation was practiced by hamadryas baboons, but only in pairs of males and females from the same harem. Consoling males used specific forms of affiliative behavior. This is the first description of affiliation in baboons.