The world’s largest known group of wild chimpanzees in Uganda’s Kibale National Park has split into two rival factions and has been locked in a brutal “civil war” for the last eight years, according to new research. Since 2018, scientists have documented at least 24 killings, including 17 infants, as the once-cohesive Ngogo community turned on each other in lethal attacks.

Key Details from the Study

Lead researcher Aaron Sandel (University of Texas at Austin) and his team observed the Ngogo chimpanzees for over 30 years. What they saw was shocking:

• The community of nearly 200 chimps, once living in harmony, split into “Western” and “Central” groups around 2015–2018
• Former friends and grooming partners began avoiding each other and eventually launched deadly attacks
• The Western group has carried out most of the targeted killings against the Central group
• At least 7 adult males and 17 infants have been killed (researchers believe the true number is higher)

Why Did This “Civil War” Start?

Researchers are still investigating the exact triggers, but possible factors include:

• Deaths of key individuals that weakened social bonds
• A change in the alpha male in 2015
• A severe respiratory epidemic in 2017 that killed many chimps
• Intense competition for resources and mates in a very large group

Aaron Sandel described the violence as “vicious” and noted that these were chimps that used to hold hands and groom each other — now they are trying to kill one another.

Why This Story Is Going Massively Viral

The news has shocked scientists and the public alike because it is the first clear, long-term observation of a full community split and lethal “civil war” in wild chimpanzees. The story raises uncomfortable parallels with human conflict and group identity. Clips, researcher interviews, and dramatic descriptions are spreading rapidly across news sites, social media, and YouTube.

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