Abuse of Other Animals

Humans have been frequently observed to be abusive towards other animals. In contrast, most aggression in great apes is directed at conspecifics or takes place during hunting, which cannot be considered purposive abuse. Humans, having domesticated animals of other species and therefore gained a degree of control over them, have shown abusive behavior towards those same animals, whether the animals are used for labor or as pets. Chimpanzees regularly kill non-prey animals which they come upon in the process of playing with them, poking at them, dropping them from trees, etc. Abuse has not been described for gorillas. Captive bonobos abuse animals such as birds that land in their enclosure.