Team work: A new study on animal cooperation

A story that sounds like a Disney movie tells of honeyguide birds guiding honey badgers to bee nests, and the two sharing the rewards.

However, researchers, after conducting nearly 400 interviews with honey-hunters across Africa, found limited evidence of this cooperation.

Let's learn more about this curious discovery.

How it was discovered

Most people surveyed (80%) had never seen any honeyguide birds and honey badgers interacting.

Meanwhile, in three Tanzanian communities, especially among Hadzabe honey-hunters, 60% reported witnessing the interaction.

While some steps in the cooperation seem plausible, like the bird seeing and approaching the badger, others, like the bird chattering to the badger, tend to remain unclear.

The specialists suggest that perhaps only some Tanzanian populations of honey badgers have developed unique skills to cooperate, passing them down through generations.

Why it's important

This new information shows the significance of integrating scientific and also cultural knowledge for richer research.

The greater honeyguide bird has been used for multiple generations by communities to find bees' nests, providing valuable food and wax.
 

• Related news:
• research
• honey
• wildlife
• 17 November 2023

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