Hundreds of chimpanzees are killing each other in a ‘civil war’ — scientists captured the ‘lethal violence’ for the first time

New York Post ^ | April 10, 2026 | Ben Cost

[Angelino97]

A scenic Ugandan jungle has become a bloody battlefield as two rival chimpanzee clans wage what could be the first recorded primate “civil war.” The ongoing simian conflict was detailed in a study published April 9 in the journal Science.

“Chimps from one group began attacking and killing those from the other group and that turned into an escalated period of lethal violence,” study author Aaron Sandel, an anthropologist at the University of Texas at Austin, told Livescience...

Comprised of over 200 members, the ape clan appeared fairly tight-knit aside from a few “clusters” and subgroups that existed within the troop.

However, between 1998 and 2014, a noticeable rift sprang up as disparate cliques formed, including a gang of three males.

By 2015, the formerly cohesive community had split into two clans that lived and reproduced separately with the aforementioned trio presiding over one of them.

It’s yet unclear what caused the schism. Researchers postulated that several adult males who acted as ambassadors between different factions died, leading to strained relations and a “change in the male dominance hierarchy.”...

By 2018, ties had fractured completely and, like with every group from the Mongols to the Mexican cartels, these splinter factions began vying for primacy.

They even occupied separate territories, similar to gangs presiding over turf...

“What followed was a series of lethal attacks by the western group on members of the central group,” the researchers wrote. “These raids resulted in multiple killings of adult males and, beginning in 2021, expanded to frequent infanticide, averaging several deaths per year.”

The dead young were often eaten, per the study...

Chimps typically beat each other to death and tear at flesh with their teeth.

Chimps who had been pals in the halcyon days turned on each other after the split.

[Organic Panic]

I put my money on Baltimore.

[higgmeister]

Correct!

[Verginius Rufus]

It all started when one chimpanzee used the wrong pronoun.

[tlozo]

The Gombe Chimpanzee War (1974–1978)

The Split: Originally part of the Kasakela community, a smaller group of chimpanzees splintered off to the south, becoming the Kahama community.

The Conflict: The northern Kasakela males launched a "war party" to systematically hunt down and kill the southern Kahama males one by one.

Brutality: Goodall witnessed "brutal murder and torture," including Satan drinking blood from a wounded chimp named Sniff, Rodolf throwing rocks at an opponent, and Figan attacking a former friend named Goliath.

Outcome: Within four years, the Kahama community was entirely annihilated by the Kasakela males.

Impact on Goodall’s Beliefs

"Dark Side" Revelations: Prior to the 1970s, Goodall considered chimps to be similar to humans, but "rather 'nicer'". The war, along with observed infanticide and cannibalism, revealed that chimpanzees possess a "dark side".

Struggling with Reality: Goodall reported having nightmares about the brutality she witnessed and spent years struggling to come to terms with the knowledge that chimpanzees could be as merciless as humans.

Conclusion on Species: She later stated, “I've come to accept that the dark, evil side of human nature is deeply embedded in our genes, inherited from our primate ancestors”. While she remained a fierce protector of chimpanzees, her experiences at Gombe in the 1970s removed her illusions about their inherently gentle nature.

[ryderann]

Just copying their human role models.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

It's been known about for decades but CW on the "sweet gentle fruit eating primates" myth dies very hard.

[SunkenCiv]

They may have screened "The Right Stuff" as part of the anthropological research, and are fighting over who gets to go to space next.

[Rocco DiPippo]

In with, “Is it them, Yogi?,” before someone beats me to it. Bwahahahaha!!!!

[teeman8r]

nature can be brutal for these “animals are peaceful” biologists... dozens of dolphins were washing up on shore and they were blaming climate change, but i believe it was a war for feeding grounds...

[Buck-Toothed Knuckle Dragger]

TDS has jumped species.

[SunkenCiv]

Yup. It’s been in the literature for ages as well. Typically the alpha male has an ally, generally a younger brother, who help stay on top of things. I once read about a group of males from one troop which systematically hunted down the males from another troop when each one happened to be by himself. Eventually they killed them all and merged in all the other troop’s females. Then another, more powerful troop moved in and started to do the same thing to them.

[sphinx]

So something disturbed the gentle, peaceful state of nature, and evil entered into the world?

Clearly some white people showed up, probably masquerading as researchers while actually plotting to steal the vibranium in order to make weapons of mass destruction and exterminate blacks, gays and women.

[mass55th]

“Damn dirty apes!!”

[packrat35]

I agree. This isn’t new.

[higgmeister]

This is such a lie!

While the late great primatologist Jane Goodall had reported of a similar “fissure” 50 years ago, this marked the first time that such an intra-tribal schism had been researched and documented as it occurred, the Times reported. Although chimp communities often compete with neighbors over land and resources.

They think if it isn't on the internet, it didn't happen.   Jane Goodall spent her life in the jungle researching and documenting everything as it occurred.   That is how we know about it.   Somebody needs to pick up a few National Geographic Magazines or read her books and watch her videos.   I actualed identified with David Greybeard.

Do you know this famous chimpanzee? It's David Greybeard! To this day, David Greybeard is Dr. Jane Goodall's favorite chimpanzee. When Dr. Goodall began her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees at what is now Gombe Stream National Park, David Greybeard was the first chimpanzee to trust her. She aptly named David Greybeard for the white and gray hairs in his beard! David Greybeard was also the first chimpanzee Dr. Goodall observed using blades of grass to fish for termites... A groundbreaking observation that changed science forever! When Dr. Goodall reflects about David Greybeard, she shares about his calm and kind manner. Most importantly, David Greybeard opened the door for Dr. Goodall to observe himself and the other chimpanzees in his community.

Are you inspired by the research Dr. Goodall shared from Gombe, Tanzania? Did you know that research continues to this day through JGI's Gombe Stream Research Center - the longest running wild chimpanzee study in the world? Learn more about the Gombe ecosystem and how you can support JGI's research by becoming a Gombe Science Hero: https://shop.janegoodall.org/category/gombe-science-heroes .

[FLT-bird]

Chimp out

[PGR88]

Finally, I can use the word “chimpout”

[Adder]

Well, yaayyyy....we’re not the only species to fight each other!!!!

[Ge0ffrey]

All we are saying is give peace a chance.

[Alas Babylon!]

No way! Caesar said: