Empathy and compassion appear to evolve as an early version of love in the evolutionary history of animals. However, these human abilities have surprising evolutionary roots in animal psychology. These capabilities evolved as a biological toolkit for survival among our mammalian ancestors. Here I present a brief snapshot of the deep evolutionary roots of empathy and compassion in great ages.
The Evolutionary Significance of Empathy and Compassion for Primates
Empathy and compassion are important evolutionary advantages, particularly for highly sociable species like dolphins, great apes, and humans. The capabilities help these animals maintain social cohesiveness and cooperation within these groups (Karandashev, 2026).
Many of us may believe that “survival of the fittest” means being the toughest and strongest in competition with others. In this way, primates are often portrayed as ruthless competitors. However, biological sciences tell us another side of the emotional life of primates. For instance, the great apes—a group of highly intelligent, large-bodied primates—are also great at consoling a defeated or sick friend—evidence that challenges such human-centric views on empathy and compassion.
Empathy and Compassion Among Great Apes
Bonobos and chimpanzees are among the best-known primates genetically related to humans. They exhibit roughly 98.7% genetic similarity. They are classified as the great apes, or hominids—a category of big primates that also includes orangutans, gorillas, and humans. Bonobos and chimpanzees display analogous sympathetic behaviors, notably consolation, characterized by human-like actions such as embracing and touching to alleviate the sorrow of others.
Evidence of Empathy and Compassion in Bonobos
Bonobos display the behavioral evidence of empathy and compassion for their companions who are in distress or who have been hurt. They provide them care and support, as well as soothe them through physical touch. Hugging, touching, and grooming are the physical gestures that they use to alleviate the discomfort of their companions. They are more likely to exhibit such empathetic behavior toward individuals who have close social relationships with them.
Research has demonstrated that bonobos may extend empathy and compassion beyond familial and in-group members, encompassing unrelated individuals and even strangers with their empathy and compassion. Bonobos show notable prosocial behavior, demonstrating spontaneous prosocial responses towards unexpected individuals outside their community. They willingly assist an unfamiliar bonobo in acquiring food without solicitation or anticipation of recompense. They frequently provide solace for their companions. Juvenile bonobos engage in behaviors that promote emotional well-being and provide consolation more frequently than their adult counterparts (e.g., Brooker, Webb, de Waal, & Clay, 2024; Clay, 2024; Palagi & Norscia, 2013; Tan, Ariely, & Hare, 2017).
Researchers have observed that the ability of bonobos to display sympathetic concern is connected with their ability to regulate their emotions. The juvenile bonobos are very good at dealing with emotional pain: they cry less when they are terrified or upset. However, they are also the first to soothe others who are in distress. They can make other individuals feel better because they can control their own feelings better (Clay & de Waal, 2013).
Evidence of Empathy and Compassion in Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees, our nearest currently living primates, are particularly fascinating subjects for investigating early human evolutionary patterns in empathy, compassion, and altruism. Scientific research has demonstrated significant genetic similarity between humans and chimps. They possess roughly 96-98.8% genetic similarity. These genetic similarities also include psychophysiological resemblances and common behaviors (Mora-Bermúdez, Badsha, Kanton, Camp, Vernot, Köhler, … & Huttner, 2016).
Chimpanzees show empathy in many different ways. They hug and kiss. They exhibit social yawning that is indicative of their emotional connection with their companions. Chimpanzees also share food with others to alleviate distress or in response to requests, such as an outstretched arm. They also take care of their hurt companions. Chimpanzees exhibit altruistic care for injured individuals, even unrelated ones. They are capable of employing “jungle first aid” techniques like applying chewed plant materials, insects, or saliva directly to wounds (Freymann et al., 2025).
Researchers showed that chimpanzees living in Uganda’s tropical forest in East Africa not only know how to treat their own wounds, but they are also ready and competent to treat the wounds of other chimpanzees in their communities. Researchers found that chimpanzees use medical leaves and insects not only on their own injuries but also on those of other chimpanzees. This means that they take care of themselves and each other in their groups. Notably, they took care of not only their own family members but also friends who weren’t related to them. Scientists said that this behavior could be a type of “first aid,” which means that the chimpanzees’ behavior shows that they can feel empathy. This behavior has been documented in various chimpanzee tribes throughout Africa (Freymann et al., 2025).
Other researchers have observed that the empathetic behavior of chimpanzees is frequently biased toward familiar individuals. However, the results of those studies suggest that pleasant social interactions, rather than rigid group affiliation, drive the emotional bonds of chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are capable of empathetic adaptability. They can exhibit empathy for individuals beyond their immediate family and social group (Campbell & de Waal, 2014).
References
Brooker, J. S., Webb, C. E., de Waal, F. B., & Clay, Z. (2024). The expression of empathy in human’s closest relatives, bonobos and chimpanzees: current and future directions. Biological Reviews, 99(4), 1556-1575.
Campbell, M. W., & de Waal, F. B. (2014). Chimpanzees empathize with group mates and humans, but not with baboons or unfamiliar chimpanzees. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 281(1782), 20140013.
Clay, Z. (2024). The evolution of empathy and its expression in bonobos. In T. Furuichi, G. Idani, D. Kimura, H. Ihobe, C. Hashimoto (eds) Bonobos and People at Wamba: 50 Years of Research (pp. 497-519). Springer Nature Singapore.
Clay, Z., & de Waal, F. B. (2013). Development of socio-emotional competence in bonobos. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(45), 18121-18126.
Freymann, E., Hobaiter, C., Huffman, M. A., Klein, H., Muhumuza, G., Reynolds, V., … & Carvalho, S. (2025). Self-directed and prosocial wound care, snare removal, and hygiene behaviors amongst the Budongo chimpanzees. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 13, 1540922.
Karandashev, V. (2026). The Biological Evolution of Love. Springer.
Mora-Bermúdez, F., Badsha, F., Kanton, S., Camp, J. G., Vernot, B., Köhler, K., … & Huttner, W. B. (2016). Differences and similarities between human and chimpanzee neural progenitors during cerebral cortex development. Elife, 5, e18683.
Palagi, E., & Norscia, I. (2013). Bonobos protect and console friends and kin. PLoS One, 8(11), e79290.
Tan, J., Ariely, D., & Hare, B. (2017). Bonobos respond prosocially toward members of other groups. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 14733.