Yowiehunters Forum

Hi guys, I just wanted to know if there is any information about the lack of bodies and skeleton remains. I am curious as there are many cases of cannibalism in primates. Jane Goodall described many cases in chimpanzees at Gombe Stream National Park. Also reports in Bonobos, Vervet Monkeys, Baboons, Macaques, etc. what are the theories?. Thank you!. JR

Bigfoot is theorized to be opportunistic, consuming whatever is available, much like bears or great apes. Any insights—scientific, anecdotal, or historical—would be deeply appreciated and treated with respect and confidentiality if requested.

Chimpanzees only cannibalize other chimpanzees in exceptional cases; more often, they eat other primates, but chimpanzees don't consider them conspecifics. Therefore, I very much doubt that cannibalism is the reason we haven't found any Bigfoot/Yowie remains. After all, despite environmental DNA analysis, there is no scientifically recognized DNA evidence, and despite advanced thermal imaging and drone technology, there is hardly any usable photographic or video evidence.

So the reason for the lack of hard evidence must be something else.

One theory I have heard is that they, like us, bury their deceased. I am certainly no expert here so maybe there is someone else who can offer some kind of insight to this?

Many animals will go "off" to die where they won't be found. But the animal world is immense so you'll see dead animals all the time, but there's a section of the animal world that are good at dying without trace to humans or other animals. I believe there's no solitary Yowies and you'll never see a lone dead one. Any cases in the past have involved military and high levels of government security services. Anthony Albanese probably wouldn't know what a Yowie is let alone how to tie his shoe laces!

Why Do Great Apes Engage in Cannibalism?

1. Intra-species aggression and dominance
• Chimpanzees sometimes kill infants from other groups or even their own. After such killings, cannibalism may follow, often led by high-ranking females or males.
• The behavior may serve social or territorial purposes, weakening rival groups or reducing the reproductive success of competitors.

2. Resource scarcity or stress
• Some cases seem related to nutritional stress, especially during dry seasons or in food-poor environments.
• However, cannibalism is rarely driven purely by hunger — it’s more opportunistic than necessary.

3. Maternal cannibalism
• Rarely, mothers have been observed eating their deceased infants, usually shortly after death from illness or injury. This is interpreted more as a stress response, not premeditated behavior.

4. Social learning and imitation is considered important.
• Once cannibalism occurs in a group, others may join in — especially juveniles learning by watching adults.
• If a dominant individual initiates it, others may follow due to hierarchy and mimicry.

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How Do They Do It?

In observed chimpanzee cannibalism:
• Typically, an infant chimp is targeted — either from infanticide (deliberate killing) or scavenged after death.
• Alpha or higher-ranking members may start the dismembering.
• The group will share or compete for the meat, often starting with soft tissues like limbs or organs.
• Eating is quick and coordinated, with participants using their hands and teeth, sometimes tools (sticks or leaves) to clean or hold pieces.


What Happens to the Bones?

Great apes do not appear to intentionally process or keep bones after cannibalism. What typically happens:
• Bones are gnawed for residual marrow or protein, but they’re not stored or used as tools.
• In the wild, bones decompose naturally or are scattered by scavengers or weather.