Inserts:

00:03 Reportt / Elena Gyldenkerne
00:22 Martin Surbeck / Kokolopori Bonobo Project
01:34 Martin Surbeck / Kokolopori Bonobo Project

Script:

((BONOBOS))

In bonobo society, "strength in sisterhood" is more than just a phrase -- it's the driving force.

Female bonobos form tight alliances that allow them to stand up to aggressive males -- to protect each other -- 

and shape the social order.

+++ SOT +++ Martin Surbeck, Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University and study author:
   "If individuals, in this case females, join forces they basically gain power. And in our case, females - by forming coalitions - they gain power over males. They can gain dominance within their group and they can attain very high-ranking positions within the group."

((BONOBOS))

Bonobos look similar to chimpanzees, but they are  smaller, thinner, and darker. 

Although they are close relatives, chimps and bonobos have very different social dynamics: 

While chimpanzees are prone to violence,

Bonobos are mostly peace-loving  - they can actually solve conflict through having sex. 

Researchers refer to them “hippie apes.” 

Scientists have long wondered how female bonobos maintain their matriarchies.

Three decades of observations in the Democratic Republic of Congo -- the only place where they live in the wild — 

show the sisterhood works together to keep the males in check. 

+++ SOT +++ Martin Surbeck, Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University 
    "They support each other no matter their relationship. And we even see if different groups come together, females of different groups support each other or form coalitions against males. So it even transcends group boundaries, this kind of tendency to form coalitions."

((BONOBOS))

The bonobo females' unique bond could even serve as an example of what a strong sisterhood looks like... perhaps also for humans.