By — Rebecca Jacobson, Inside Energy Rebecca Jacobson, Inside Energy Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/err-human-forgive-animal Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter To err is human, to forgive is animal Nation Jan 30, 2014 1:00 AM EDT Redneck wallabies at Tier-und Vogelpark Reilingen (Baden-Württemberg, Germany). Photo by Wikimedia Commons user 4028mdk09 “To err is human, to forgive divine.” While conflict in any social group is inevitable, a study published Wednesday in the journal PLOS ONE found that animals, too, are capable of reconciling after fights. Scientists from the University of Pisa, Italy, observed red-necked wallabies at the Tierparc Zoo in Berlin. In the wild, wallabies are solitary, but they frequently share feeding grounds. Occasionally, the marsupials get aggressive with each other. They found that reconciliation depended on how intense the fight became. The wallabies demonstrated signs of making up after a low-intensity fight, grooming and playing with their former foe. Not only did they forgive, researchers found, but both victim and aggressor demonstrated reduced anxiety for both parties once they had reconciled. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Rebecca Jacobson, Inside Energy Rebecca Jacobson, Inside Energy @rebeccajacobson
Redneck wallabies at Tier-und Vogelpark Reilingen (Baden-Württemberg, Germany). Photo by Wikimedia Commons user 4028mdk09 “To err is human, to forgive divine.” While conflict in any social group is inevitable, a study published Wednesday in the journal PLOS ONE found that animals, too, are capable of reconciling after fights. Scientists from the University of Pisa, Italy, observed red-necked wallabies at the Tierparc Zoo in Berlin. In the wild, wallabies are solitary, but they frequently share feeding grounds. Occasionally, the marsupials get aggressive with each other. They found that reconciliation depended on how intense the fight became. The wallabies demonstrated signs of making up after a low-intensity fight, grooming and playing with their former foe. Not only did they forgive, researchers found, but both victim and aggressor demonstrated reduced anxiety for both parties once they had reconciled. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now