NEW STUDY: Female Bonobos Assert Their Dominance Over Males by Banding Together

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Female Bonobos Assert Their Dominance Over Males by Banding Together, New Study Suggests

Bonobos, which are among our closest living relatives, live in rare societies where females tend to outrank males, even though males are larger and stronger. Scientists compiled decades of observations to explain why

Sara Hashemi - Daily Correspondent

April 29, 2025 1:11 p.m.

Two juvenile bonobos embrace in Lola Ya Bonobo Santuary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. New research suggests female bonobos form coalitions to gain or maintain power in their societies. Anup Shah via Getty Images

Male bonobos are big, loud animals—and they can be aggressive. Yet, despite the males being larger and stronger than their female counterparts, bonobos live in female-dominated societies, a fact that has long puzzled scientists. Now, a new study offers an explanation: girl power. . .

[. . .]

Female-dominated social structures are rare among mammals, especially those with larger males. But in bonobo groups, females often decide when to mate and who gets to eat food first. So, scientists wanted to learn what tips the outcome of a conflict in favor of the females.

[. . .] The researchers found that female bonobos will form coalitions, usually of three to five animals. In 85 percent of cases when these groups showed aggression, it involved ganging up on male bonobos. And in 61 percent of those fights, the females are victorious. . .

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