Science - May 13, 2004
Classical music makes baboons romantic
The baboons in Almere benefited from classical music that was played to them for a few days. Their normal behaviour shows that they are frustrated and often have little contact with each other. Piano music seems to work wonders though. The apes were visibly less frustrated and comforted each other.
The students would have liked to be able to report that the baboons not only became more sociable, but that they also gave up stereotype behaviour, but this was not the case. Only one ape stopped pacing up and down, but instead she started looking for fleas. Another even started pacing more, but licked his arm less excessively than before. Some baboons became more aggressive on hearing the classical music before they calmed down.
Stichting Aap was happy with the research, as it is the first time that any research has been done with their apes. They will be playing classical music for their baboons from time to time.
Hugo Bouter