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Breeding

The German Primate Center is the only institution in Germany that breeds primates for scientific purposes and provides them for research.

 

The German Primate Center is the only institution in Germany that breeds primates for scientific purposes and provides them for research. Currently, rhesus macaques, long-tailed macaques, common marmosets, and hamadryas baboons are bred at the DPZ. Each species has specific environmental needs, which are met in the various breeding units of the DPZ. A stable social structure is essential for a successful breeding colony. Therefore, our breeding animals live in large family groups of up to 80 individuals.

 

 

The less temperature-sensitive macaques and baboons can freely move between indoor and outdoor enclosures. The spacious outdoor areas are designed to allow the animals to engage in their natural behaviors, such as jumping, swinging, bathing, and elevated perching. When equipping the enclosures, we primarily use natural materials, which are frequently exchanged and creatively arranged by our animal caretakers to provide a varied environment for the animals.

 

Common marmosets prefer consistently warm temperatures and high humidity. As a result, outdoor housing is not suitable for this species in our climate. Our marmosets live in family groups exclusively in climate-controlled indoor environments. The spacious cage systems are designed to allow these arboreal animals to engage in natural behaviors like climbing, jumping, and swinging. They also have the option to retreat to elevated nesting boxes for sleeping.