Drama, jealousy, and evolutionary biology come together in this story about a love triangle.

Vanessa Woods was on a work trip to study bonobos when she landed a supporting role in a great ape soap opera. And although emotions ran high, bonobos taught Vanessa important lessons about life, love, and what it means to be a primate.

Learn more about bonobos at bonobos.org

Vanessa Woods is the co-author of Survival of the Friendliest and the author of Bonobo Handshake. Learn more at www.vanessawoods.net.

The bonobo in the episode thumbnail is not a pet. It is one of the many orphans at a sanctuary in Congo whose mothers were shot for the bushmeat trade. The orphans were rescued from the illegal market, some of them from wildlife traffickers, others from people’s homes, and others on route for the illegal pet trade in Europe. Bonobos are primates and need to live in large social groups, not in isolation. Please help stop trafficking in bonobos. Visit www.bonobos.org.

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An Animal Saved My Life

Coming Soon: Season 2