Two cases of mother-infant cannibalism in orangutans

Abstract

Two unrelated female orangutans (Pongo abelii) were observed on different occasions cannibalizing the remains of their infants, a behavior never before reported in apes. Both orangutans are free-ranging ex-captive individuals in an area of forest which also hosts large numbers of visiting tourists. The cannibalism events appear to have been aberrant behavior, perhaps due to stress and the environmental conditions of the area.