#1304 Michael Wilson: Chimpanzee Behavior, Ecology, Violence, and Human Warfare
RECORDED ON MARCH 23rd 2026.
Dr. Michael Wilson is a Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at the University of Minnesota. He studies nonhuman primates to provide comparative data for testing hypotheses about the evolution of distinctively human traits. He focuses on the behavior and ecology of chimpanzees at Gombe National Park, Tanzania.
In this episode, we start by talking about Dr. Wilson’s work with chimpanzees at Gombe National Park, in Tanzania. We discuss how ecology influences behavior, and chimpanzee personality. We talk about how apes are impacted by human activity. We discuss whether warfare is a cultural invention or an evolved adaptation in humans. Finally, we talk about differences in rates of violence between chimpanzees and bonobos.
Time Links:
Intro
Studying chimpanzees at Gombe National Park, in Tanzania
How ecology influences behavior
Chimpanzee personality
How apes are impacted by human activity
Is warfare a cultural invention or an evolved adaptation in humans?
Differences in rates of violence between chimpanzees and bonobos
Follow Dr. Wilson’s work!
Follow Dr. Wilson’s work:
Faculty page: https://tinyurl.com/38xhueze
Monkey Business (website/blog): https://tinyurl.com/6jns88ah
ResearchGate profile: https://tinyurl.com/3ycuu9y3
X handle: @MikeLWilson1871