Infant adoptions in wild bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata).

Though uncommon, adoption of orphaned infants has been observed in both wild and captive non-human primates. In two groups of wild bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata), we observed five instances of infants being cared for after they lost their mothers at a pre-weaning age (< 6 months). Orphaned infants had one or more caregivers (juvenile, subadult, and adult female or male) involved in carrying, grooming, hugging, and protecting them.