Monkeys can engage in extortion.
The article reports on macaque behaviour taking the form of extortion, as observed by primatologist, Fany Brotcorne. The monkeys have learned how to steal tourists’ valuables in order to surrender them again in return for food. Whilst interesting, perhaps still more interesting is how the practice appears to have spread throughout the local macaque population. Indeed, it reaches right across the generations. In other words, they appear to have learned from each other how to practise extortion. This is in addition to the original learning of the behaviour as a result of, presumably, coincidental associative learning.
Link to article: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2132748-monkey-mafia-steal-your-stuff-then-sell-it-back-for-a-cracker/
You may also like to browse other ethology posts: http://www.thesentientrobot.com/category/ethology/
