Troop fission in free-ranging baboons in the Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania.

During a 13 month field study of baboons in the Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, the troop under observation divided into two groups. One group left the main troop to become ultimately an independent troop with a separate range. The troop fission followed a period of instability in the male status hierarchy. The events prior to and during the troop fission are described in detail and the membership of the group which left is analyzed. Social bonds prior to the fission, including kinship, determined membership in the group which left. Aggression from members of the main troop played a major role in causing the group which left to establish a new range. This fission is compared with troop fissions observed in rhesus and Japances macaques.