Richard McFarland

RICHARD McFARLAND, Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom, was awarded a grant in April 2021 to aid research on “High-level Social Linkages in Wild Chacma Baboons, South Africa.” This project investigated the behavioral response of wild chacma baboons to a novel ecology that mimics aspects of the selective environment thought to underpin the evolution of complex social structures observed in humans and other primates. Specifically, this project examined whether high predation pressure combined with limited sleeping site availability, 1.) represents the conditions required for the emergence of high-level social linkages; 2) promotes coordinated inter-troop movements; and 3) drives a shift in internal socio-spatial dynamics linked to males. Between July 2021 and June 2023 data were collected on a range of behavioral, spatial, and ecological variables from two troops of wild chacma baboon living on the Swebeswebe Wildlife Estate, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study population of wild chacma baboons show remarkable between-group tolerance, demonstrated by regular troop movement consorts and the occupancy of a shared sleep site. Using this unique cliff-face cave site at night is the only means by which the baboons can secure protection from the local leopard population. This increased between-troop familiarity resulted in the fission of two baboon troops, further strengthening the claim that the suite of ecological pressures faced by this study population underpins the emergence of complex social linkages.