Plumptre is not the only one to have observed the behaviour. Jason Gilchrist, a behavioural ecologist at Edinburgh Napier University, has also witnessed it in the national park.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks to be a mutualistic interaction, much like that between cleaner wrasse and client fish,\u201d said Gilchrist. \u201cThe warthogs appear to approach the mongooses, which is similar to a client fish visiting a cleaner wrasse station.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both Plumptre and Gilchrist\u2019s observations occurred around the village of Mweya, where the two species are flourishing because of the availability of human food waste.<\/p>\n
Gilchrist said that the human presence in the area keeps lions and leopards away. The relaxed atmosphere may mean that the mammals can afford to indulge in more leisurely activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes you wonder what else may be happening between species that we don\u2019t see, because in order to see it both species need to be unafraid of people,\u201d said Plumptre.<\/p>\n
Either way, he added, the grooming illustrates a great deal of trust. The species\u2019 interactions are not always so friendly, though.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have observed warthogs kill and eat mongooses,\u201d said Gilchrist. \u201cOnce, a mongoose pup was killed; on another occasion it was an adult.\u201d<\/p>\n