It seems like it's somewhat symbiotic in that the adolescent macaques derive sexual pleasure/"practice" from the interaction while the deer have parasites cleaned off them. Also, as they mentioned, it will be interesting if this behavior persists and becomes integrated into their culture or will be forgotten. On a side note, do the researchers seem to share an uncomfortable photo there, or is that just my misinterpre…
> the researchers seem to share an uncomfortable photo It seems like they're sweaty and exhausted, presumably from hard work in an unfamiliarly hot climate.
The other variant of it usually involves flaking skin on newly formed tans and sunburn so bad its started to go almost purple.
But the root cause is essentially the same.
Plus, they're researchers guys, what do you think scientists in the field actually look like :P