The Department of Primatology investigates issues related to the evolution of social systems, culture, and ecology in primates, with a special emphasis on apes. Apes live in a variety of social systems, within which we can examine reproductive strategies, aspects of cognition and cultural variation, and behavioural diversity within and among social units. Particularly interesting are the differences between apes and humans in fundamental social-cognitive processes involving communication, cooperation, social interactions, behaviors used to resolve conflict, and social learning.
Research in the department is focused on six broad topics: reproductive strategies, cognition and culture, socioecology, infectious diseases, primate conservation, and population structure. We take multipe approaches to address these research questions. In our molecular genetics and endocrinology laboratories, for example, we analyze samples that have been collected non-invasively (i.e. feces, hair). Additional methods are used to identify infectious agents from non-invasive samples. In terms of computational research, we use phylogeny-based comparative methods to increase knowledge of primate behavioural diversity, while modeling is critical for biomonitoring efforts and for understanding the spread of infectious diseases and cultural traits in primate populations.
Field research is a major component of our research. One field project, led by Christophe Boesch, has studied wild chimpanzee populations in the Taï National Park, Ivory Coast, since 1979. Other scientists in the Department of Primatology study wild bonobos in Central Africa, mountain gorillas in East Africa, and lowland gorillas in Central Africa. We have recently started a new long-term project in Loango National Park, Gabon. The goal of this project is to habituate western gorillas and chimpanzees living in the same environment to address questions about variability in feeding ecology, sociality, culture, and demographic patterns.
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Research in the department is focused on six broad topics: reproductive strategies, cognition and culture, socioecology, infectious diseases, primate conservation, and population structure. We take multipe approaches to address these research questions. In our molecular genetics and endocrinology laboratories, for example, we analyze samples that have been collected non-invasively (i.e. feces, hair). Additional methods are used to identify infectious agents from non-invasive samples. In terms of computational research, we use phylogeny-based comparative methods to increase knowledge of primate behavioural diversity, while modeling is critical for biomonitoring efforts and for understanding the spread of infectious diseases and cultural traits in primate populations. 
Field research is a major component of our research. One field project, led by Christophe Boesch, has studied wild chimpanzee populations in the Taï National Park, Ivory Coast, since 1979. Other scientists in the Department of Primatology study wild bonobos in Central Africa, mountain gorillas in East Africa, and lowland gorillas in Central Africa. We have recently started a new long-term project in Loango National Park, Gabon. The goal of this project is to habituate western gorillas and chimpanzees living in the same environment to address questions about variability in feeding ecology, sociality, culture, and demographic patterns.