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Primates at the DPZ

Currently, the DPZ´s Primate Husbandry Unit houses approximately 1200 animals. These primates are used for research conducted at the DPZ and are also provided to other scientific institutions. The majority of our monkeys are kept in breeding colonies.

 

With around 600 individuals, Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) represent the largest primate colony at the DPZ. Most of these animals are maintained in large breeding groups with complex social structures. At the DPZ, rhesus macaques serve as animal models for infection research and neuroscience.

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) form the second-largest primate colony at the DPZ, consisting of approximately 430 individuals. Our colony is one of the world‘s largest breeding group. This breeding success allows us not only to meet our own demand but also to provide animals to other research institutions. At the DPZ, common marmosets serve as model organism in stem cell research and auditory neuroscience.

The colony of Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) at the DPZ includes around 70 individuals. Currently, these animals are used in behavioral studies focused on cognition and social structures.

Since 1980, the DPZ has maintained a breeding group of Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas). Our breeding colony is unique in Europe. While we do not conduct our own research with the approximately 80 animals at this time, we provide them to other research institutions. Due to their size, baboons are particularly valuable as model organisms for studying immune responses following organ transplants. Other areas of research include schizophrenia and epilepsy.

Click on the corresponding picture to find out more about the biology and living of our primate species.