Scientists spotted surprising evidence of what they describe as monkey kidnappings while reviewing video from a small island of Panama. The capuchin monkeys were seen carrying at least 11 howler babies between 2022 and 2023. The monkeys’ motivations remain under investigation. Capuchins are house cat-size monkeys found in South America and Central America. They are long-lived, clever and learn new behaviors from each other. One group of capuchins in Panama has even learned to use stone tools to

On a remote island off Panama, a young capuchin monkey nicknamed Joker may have sparked one of the strangest behavioral trends primatologists have ever seen: kidnapping baby howler monkeys and carrying them around like prized possessions. What started as a one-off event quickly became a disturbing fad among other young males—with deadly consequences. Learn more: https://on.natgeo.com/4kmyIRw | National Geographic