If male baboons experienced similar societal critiques as humans, they might be labeled “deadbeat dads” due to their minimal involvement in raising offspring. However, recent research suggests that even a small effort from baboon fathers can have significant benefits. Female baboons who had stronger relationships with their fathers during their young lives were found to live longer as adults.
Professor Elizabeth Archie, a co-author of the study from the University of Notre Dame, explained that humans are particularly unusual among primates in the level of fatherly involvement in child-rearing. She added that baboons, in particular, showcase the potential positive impact of father figures in certain primate species.
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, involved examining wild baboons in Kenya. Researchers analyzed genetic data to confirm the parentage of 216 female baboons fathered by 102 males. The team focused on female offspring because males often move to other social groups as adults, making it difficult to track their lifespan.
The researchers found that female baboons who lived in the same group as their fathers for longer periods and groomed with them more frequently during their first four years of life tended to live two to four years longer as adults. Professor Archie noted that a typical lifespan for a female baboon is around 18 years, so the additional two to three years of life could potentially allow them to have more offspring.
This finding suggests that even though male baboons may not be able to compete for mates as they age, they can still play a significant role by supporting their daughters. By helping their daughters, baboon fathers can increase their own genetic fitness and potentially leave more offspring.
The study also showed that strong relationships between young females and adult males, regardless of their fatherly connection, were not associated with increased survival rates as adults.
While the exact reasons behind the positive correlation between early-life father-daughter relationships and female survival are not yet understood, Professor Archie suggested several possible mechanisms. These include fathers stepping in during fights, creating a safe zone around their daughters to protect them from food theft or injury, or simply having a healthier behavior that contributes to longer lifespan.
The researchers are not yet clear if a strong relationship with their father leads to longer survival or if healthy daughters naturally have better relationships with their fathers, but the study offers valuable insights into the important role that fathers can play in the lives of their offspring, even in species where their involvement is traditionally limited.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/18/female-baboons-strong-relationship-fathers-live-longer
