A rare and deadly “civil war” has broken out between two factions of chimps in Africa.
The dispute erupted in what was once a cohesive group of about 200 chimps whose ties stretched back two decades. It took just 3 years for them to turn on each other. https://t.co/3rQhJxtAjl pic.twitter.com/ipNUepb0js
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) April 10, 2026
A massive chimpanzee group in Uganda’s Kibale National Park has indeed split into rival factions and engaged in a deadly “civil war” pic.twitter.com/ar39OODpHN
— DARWIN (@D4RW1NEXE) April 9, 2026
A large group of chimpanzees in Uganda’s Kibale National Park split into two rival factions, sparking a deadly conflict, according to a study in Science.
The group—once about 200 strong—lived cooperatively for decades, but began dividing around 2015 after key social males died and a new alpha rose to power. By 2018, the split was complete, with no remaining social ties.
The two groups then turned violent. The smaller faction launched coordinated attacks, killing adult males and later targeting infants. At least 24 chimpanzees have died so far, though the true number is likely higher.
The violence is still ongoing.
Source: WSJ