Top 10 Shocking Moments Monkeys Kill Their Babies
In the wild, monkey societies can be full of affection, care, and bonding—but sometimes, darker instincts emerge. Though rare, infanticide does happen, usually triggered by stress, dominance disputes, or survival instincts. Here are the Top 10 shocking moments when monkeys killed their own babies, leaving observers stunned and heartbroken.
- Alpha Rage: A dominant female macaque attacked her newborn in a fit of rage when she sensed it weakened her status in the group.
- Jealous Step-Mom: In one heartbreaking case, a newly paired female killed her mate’s baby from a previous partner to assert dominance and ensure future offspring would be hers.
- Food Scarcity Turned Deadly: In drought-stricken regions, a starving mother was seen attacking her baby after failing to nurse it for days—nature’s cruel survival decision.
- Rejected by All: A baby born with a visible deformity was attacked by several troop members, including its own mother, who distanced herself moments before the fatal act.
- Territorial Infanticide: In a brutal troop takeover, the new alpha male systematically killed all infants sired by his predecessor.
- Stress-Induced Breakdown: A captive monkey, under constant stress and lacking social support, tragically turned on her newborn.
- Misdirected Aggression: During a troop fight, a female accidentally injured her baby fatally while fending off another monkey.
- Sibling Rivalry: A mother macaque favored her stronger twin and allowed the weaker one to starve, then ultimately ended its suffering.
- Human Interference: In sanctuaries, displaced monkeys occasionally harm their young due to stress and unnatural conditions.
- Mistaken Identity: A monkey mother attacked her baby thinking it belonged to a rival, a tragic mistake driven by confusion and fear.
These chilling moments reveal the fragile balance of love and survival in monkey society.
