Chimpanzees have shown significant signs of prosocial behaviour.
The new finding is in contrast with previous thought that chimpanzees are reluctant altruists.
It is believed that the “reluctant altruist” conclusion stemmed from a design flaw in previous tests.
The new simpler test reflected overwhelming preference for the prosocial choice.
Prior to the new study it was thought that human altruism only evolved after humans split from apes.
Read more at Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences