Stories

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• Primatology
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• Animal Nutrition

1. 

   Brand-new library for ZOO research

   The European Association for Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) and the Association of Zoological Gardens (VdZ) proudly announce the opening of a brand-new international digital library. The ambitious project has been given the name ‘Zoo Science Library’ and will contain academic publications from all over the world. Every research project in this e-library was conducted with the involvement of a modern zoo. Our own Centre for Research and Conservation (CRC) has also contributed to this unique project.

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2. 

   Chimpanzee politics with crucial coalitions

   Chimpanzees have political work on their agendas day in and day out. Making coalitions, networking and monitoring the others' behavior: it is crucial that these great apes can focus on those tasks. ZOO Antwerp explains why great apes should be able to focus on their own society.

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3. 

   How chocolate can save the golden-headed lion tamarins

   Chocolate can help save golden-headed lion tamarins. We know this after 20 years of research into the callitrichid monkey species in Bahia, Brazil. when the cocoa from which the chocolate is made, comes from a cabruca.

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4. 

   'The bigger, the better' according to bonobos

   ZOO Planckendael's bonobo group is one of the largest in Europe. In the wild, intelligent primates also live together in large groups according to their social system's fission-fusion principle. During the day, they split into smaller subgroups and in the evening, the small groups often merge back into a larger group to build a nest close to each other.

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5. 

   Covid research in ZOO mammals

   The corona pandemic doesn’t only affect humans, but animals as well. In collaboration with the University of Antwerp, we searched for the presence of the COVID-19- virus in 1.116 manure samples from the mammals of ZOO Antwerp and ZOO Planckendael.

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6. 

   HAPPY BARBARY MACAQUES

   The family Barbary macaques, brought to Planckendael ZOO in 2019, display the same behaviour as in the wild. This is evident from close observation and scientific analyses. The animals were rescues from an illegal breeding centre.

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7. 

   Getting on with the neighbours

   Zoos sometimes exchange animals. This is always preceded by a process of careful thought. Such aspects as genetics, gender, age and character are taken into consideration. Introductions into new groups happen at the animal's own pace.

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8. 

   Halt herpes

   Antwerp ZOO & Planckendael ZOO collaborate with Utrecht University in a scientific quest to develop a vaccine against herpes in elephants. In our own lab our researchers are also seeking to identify symptoms that trigger the virus.

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9. 

   Bonobos versus man

   Advanced research on bonobos could teach us a great deal about humans. Scientists at Planckendael ZOO are currently trying to fathom out how bonobos cooperate with each other and how their emotions can influence their decisions.

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10. 

    Animal Welfare Science

    Animal welfare is high on our agenda, that’s why we have our own animal welfare scientist. Her job is to initiate, develop and conduct zoo-based research projects aimed at better understanding the welfare state of the animals in our care.

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11. 

    Life through rose-coloured glasses

    Penguins, and other birds, see differently to us. Thanks to installing special lighting, the sexually mature penguins at Antwerp ZOO are now able to see the purplish areas on each other's beaks. This should result in better matched pairs and encourage breeding success.

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12. 

    When it’s too late…

    Our veterinary surgeon regularly supplies samples to researchers worldwide such as from our elephant calf Qiyo (2) who succumbed to elephant herpes. Attempts are ongoing globally to develop a vaccine to inoculate young elephants in the future.

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