Original version

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

CrowdScience

Documentaries

Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Answering your questions about life, Earth and the universe

We take your questions about life, Earth and the universe to researchers hunting for answers at the frontiers of knowledge.

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

CrowdScience: Can Animals Commit Murder?

Discussion & Talk

Can Animals Commit Murder?

04/08/2017 GMT

BBC World Service - CrowdScience, Can Animals Commit Murder?

Are humans the only species that murder each other? We head to the rainforest to find out

Are humans the only species that murder each other? We go looking for evidence of murderous chimpanzees in the Ugandan rainforest

** Contains some upsetting scenes **

As a species, we humans can be uniquely horrible to our own kind. But are we the only animal to commit murder? Listener Michelle’s question sends CrowdScience trekking – and getting lost - in the Budongo rainforest in Uganda in search of one of Man’s closest relatives, the chimpanzee. 

We hear from the scientists, who only days before the team’s arrival at the camp, witnessed a gang of chimps brutally killing another adult. But does chimpanzee lethal aggression pass muster as murder? We head to the capital Kampala for some legal advice and take a look at the grim history of putting animals on trial.

Do you have a question we can turn into a programme? Email us at crowdscience@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Geoff Marsh
Producer: Louisa Field

(Image: Closeup of angry chimpanzee Credit: Getty Images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

CrowdScience

Can Animals Commit Murder?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

About BBC World Service