"DPZ aktuell" published

Are they not just adorable, the little Assam macaques on our cover? From the looks of it, one does not notice the dilemma that they are facing: If they play, climb or wrestle, they do develop good motoric skills but they tend to grow slower and will reach puberty later than the rest of their less active conspecifics. While energy management is a dilemma in the Thai jungle, the nutrition problem at the DPZ has meanwhile been solved: The new cafeteria "CaPri" is well stocked with high-calorie food. To prevent cake, ice cream and co. having unfavorable effects on the motor skills of the staff, a Health Day with numerous sports activities was organized.

The nutrition problems in Vietnam are of a completely different kind. Almost all of the 25 local species of monkeys are threatened with extinction because they are hunted and eaten by people. We spoke with Tilo Nadler, the "Savior of the Apes". He is one of the very few that support the plight of the Vietnamese primates. In cooperation with Christian Roos from the DPZ they intend to track poachers by using genetic methods. Besides, it is never a good idea for humans to eat non-human primates since diseases such as syphilis and the related yaws can be transmitted easily. As long as humans eat non-human primates, the eradication of this illness will remain unsuccessful even though the WHO is trying its best with the help of antibiotics. These are indications from studies performed by the infection researcher Sascha Knauf.

While many field researchers have always gladly reported their research results, this was not always the case for colleagues working with animal experiments. Fortunately, there have recently been considerable changes. Rüdiger Behr and Hans Jörg Schernberger presented a detailed version of their research with primates in a special edition of BioFokus and in the film series "Conversation on Animal Experiments", Cliodhna Quigley explains why she relies on animal experiments for her research.

The current issue of our magazine "DPZ aktuell" was published on 18 January.

"DPZ aktuell" is published four times a year, has approximately 40 pages and is free of charge. This magazine can be found at the DPZ: You can obtain a copy at the reception or in the library.