Central Chimpanzees

The Central Chimpanzees, previously part of the world's largest cohesive group of wild chimpanzees, are now embroiled in a violent conflict. Researchers have documented an ongoing "civil war" within this population, which began around June 2015. The group has divided into two factions, referred to as Western and Central chimpanzees. This division escalated into open hostility, with the Central group reportedly chasing the Western group. While chimpanzee disputes often involve vocalizations and chases, the sustained and intense nature of this conflict over eight years is unprecedented. The reasons behind this prolonged "civil war" remain unclear to researchers. This situation is significant as it offers scientists a unique, albeit disturbing, opportunity to study the origins of conflict and intergroup violence, potentially drawing parallels to human conflicts.