Chimps give birth like humans, say scientists

A film of the birth of a chimpanzee has shown that the animals give birth in a way that was thought to be unique to humans.

A team shot close-up footage of captive chimps giving birth, which revealed that the newborn emerges from the birth canal facing away from the mother.

Scientists had believed that this birth position evolved in the primate ancestors of modern humans.

These findings could refute that theory. Footage courtesy of Hayashibara Great Ape Research Institute