Zuani, a baby bonobo follows her biological program by rubbing against a male cagemate, while eating. In bonobo society, the tension of food sharing leads to such physical gestures, which diffuses stress, and leads to reconciliation.With bonobos, sex is the glue of a peaceful ape society that is largely female dominated. In the case of Zuani and the male, even at a young age, he knew that he did not have first rights to the piece of bread. After rubbing, Zuani would usually share her meal. Psychologically, Zuani was a very well adjusted bonobo, in spite of her being an orphan who did not have the opportunity to learn the bonobo social norms.
In spite of that, and due to individual genetics, perhaps, or because Zuani was a quick study, she was the runaway favorite of the other bonobos. Zuani was always quick to offer a rub to the others, male or female, whenever there was any unusual situation, weather it was a treat, the play got too rough, or even something scary like an airplane flying overhead.
Photo by D. Messinger
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