bonobo

Similar findings were also reported in another study with a bonobo, in which the bonobo was also able to synchronize its drum beats to a human in the experiment.

The University of Zurich team observed a group of bonobos from a project by local biologists that had habituated the animals over 10 to 15 years, depending on the group.

Researchers at Durham University found that chimpanzees were as likely to console one another as bonobos - even though the latter is typically considered the more "empathic" primate.

As one example, chimpanzees and bonobos do not have strict hierarchies based on individuals being male or female, as seen among other primate species.

Scientists now know how many bonobos live in one of the largest pristine tropical forests, a place believed to be the world's stronghold for the endangered species.