Cannibalism is extremely rare among New World primates and has never been observed in capuchins.
An alpha female and juvenile male eating the fingers and legs of a dead infant.And it's never been observed among capuchin monkeys, which are native to the rainforests of Central America.But only the alpha female and the young male consumed the infant — and they left its face, upper limbs, and torso intactThe researchers say further study is needed to fully understand the unusual behavior, but they noted that female capuchin monkeys are known to carry deceased offspring for many hoursWithout its mother carrying off the dead infant, the other monkeys were presented with an unusual situation