Bonobos recognize the ignorance of others, a trait once thought to be unique to humans
A cooperation experiment shows for the first time that animals, as well as people, are capable of communicating new information to their companions
Shy and rarely seen outside the dense African forests south of the Congo River, bonobos have a strong social memory. They can be aggressive at times but also resolve conflicts through affectionate gestures and sex. Now, researchers at Johns Hopkins University have identified another striking similarity between bonobos and humans: the ability to recognize ignorance in others, communicate to correct it, and cooperate accordingly.
