We use non invasive methods to monitor endocrine profiles (stress, and female and male sex hormones)
in great ape and other primate populations in the wild. The combination of endocrinological analysis with
behavioral and ecological data provides insights to reproductive strategies, the functioning of fission-fusion
social systems, and the costs and benefits of dominance hierarchies. Monitoring the ecological and human impact on
endocrine stress levels of wild ape populations gives us valuable information for the conservation of these endangered species.
 We are concerned with the following questions using endocrine and behavioral methods.
- How is male dominance rank related to testosterone and cortisol levels in chimpanzee groups of different sizes?
- How does stress and testosterone relate to male behavior in bachelor and multi-male, multi-female groups of white faced capuchins?
- How do cortisol and testosterone levels relate to group takeovers in mountain gorillas?
- Is it possible to monitor and manage stress after introduction of new females into a captive bonobo group?
- How are secondary sexual signals expressed in male western lowland gorillas in relation to testosterone levels?
- What is the human impact on stress and parasite levels in wild ape populations?
- How does logging affect the stress levels of wild chimpanzee groups?
Cooperation partner:
| Robert Koch Institute, Germany |
Fabian Leendertz |
| German Primate Center, Germany |
Keith Hodges, Michael Heistermann |
| Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda |
Martha Robbins |
| Taï Chimpanzee Project, Ivory Coast |
Christophe Boesch |
| Lomas Barbudal Capuchin project, Costa Rica |
Susan Perry, Joe Manson |
| Goualougo Triangle Chimpanzee Project, Republic of Congo |
Crickette Sanz, Dave Morgan |
| Lui Kotal Bonobo Project, DRC |
Gottfried Hohmann |
| Leipzig Zoo, Germany |
Josep Call |
|
