Stealing baby howler monkeys for no reason is trending with bored young male capuchins… and scientists have no idea why

AI Summary

Young male capuchin monkeys on Jicaron Island, Panama, have been observed kidnapping howler monkey infants, marking the first documented case of interspecies infant abduction as a social trend. Researchers, initially puzzled by the behavior as the capuchins didn't harm or play with the babies, believe it's a fad among young males. Tragically, several howler infants died as a result of the abductions, which were captured on motion-triggered cameras. The capuchins, nicknamed "Joker" and others, were seen carrying multiple howler infants over a 15-month period, leaving the howler parents distressed.