Scientists studying chimpanzees in Uganda have made a startling discovery: tribal conflict and lethal warfare are not unique to humans. This research indicates a predisposition for organized violence may be deeply rooted in our evolutionary history.

Chimpanzee Civil War in Kibale National Park

Researchers focused on a decade-long conflict within a chimpanzee population in Uganda’s Kibale National Park. The study, detailed in the journal Science under the title “Lethal conflict after group fission in wild chimpanzees,” challenges the common belief that human conflict stems primarily from religion or resource competition.

The Ngogo Chimpanzee Community

The Ngogo community, consisting of approximately 200 chimpanzees, began to fracture around 2015 following the deaths of several older, influential members. This division led to the formation of two distinct groups: the dominant Central tribe and the splinter Westerners.

A Prolonged and Brutal Conflict

Unlike typical primate aggression linked to immediate needs, this conflict was a prolonged and systematic campaign of violence. By 2024, at least seven adult chimpanzees and 17 infants were confirmed killed by rival groups, with at least four additional casualties reported since.

Mirroring Human Warfare

Anthropologists, including Aaron Sandel, have observed tactical planning, raids, and high levels of brutality in these interactions. These behaviors effectively mirror the mechanics of human warfare, despite the complete absence of cultural or political motivations.

Documenting the Violence

The conflict was documented over three decades, including footage captured for the Netflix series Chimp Empire. The narrative includes tragic individual stories, such as the death of Pork Pie, a gentle chimpanzee from the Central clan who was killed by Westerner raiders while foraging.

Implications for Understanding Human Nature

Researchers and film crews found the experience profoundly traumatic, witnessing not only the tactical nature of the aggression—including sentry patrols and coordinated ambushes—but also the unsettling realization that such violence isn’t an aberration. The findings suggest a biological basis for tribal warfare, indicating a primal impulse to dehumanize and destroy perceived ‘others’ may be a fundamental part of our evolutionary history.