Chimpanzees 'Have Sex for Gifts'

Wild chimps who regularly gave away food were twice as successful with females as their rivals, researchers found.

They say that their study adds to proof that the animals can plan over the long-term.

Wild chimpanzees are thought to be among humans’ closest living relatives.

Previous studies have shown that male chimps often share their meat with females who do not go out to hunt.

Although researchers had long speculated that this generosity was used to increase their chances of mating, there was little evidence that this was the case.

But new research, carried out in the Ta National Park in the Ivory Coast, shows that the males who shared meat were twice as likely to mate as those who did not.

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April 13, 2009