The world's largest known group of wild chimpanzees has split and been locked in a vicious 'civil war' for the last eight years, according to researchers. It is not clear exactly why the once close-knit community of Ngogo chimpanzees at Uganda's Kibale National Park are at loggerheads, but since 2018 the scientists have recorded 24 killings, including 17 infants. 'These were chimps that would hold hands,' lead author Aaron Sandel said. 'Now they're trying to kill each other.' The study, published in the journal Science, articulates that the intensity and persistence of this violence might provide insights into the origins of human conflict. Sandel highlighted that chimpanzees are very territorial and engage in hostilities with other groups. The once-harmonious interactions of almost 200 Ngogo chimpanzees began to deteriorate around 2015, leading to polarized behavior and a series of violent attacks. Researchers suspect numerous causes, including environmental factors, resource competition, and social changes affecting group dynamics. The findings challenge our understanding of conflicts in contexts beyond our species, hinting that relational dynamics could be paramount in understanding warfare.