Male gorillas take pleasure in fatherhood duties - Berber male monkeys display a paternal instinct.
Barbary Macaques Delve into the Role of Fatherhood Beyond Father's Day
In an uncommon display of paternal care among primates, male Barbary macaques play noteworthy roles in the upbringing of their young, as confirmed by Roland Hilgartner, director of the Affenberg-Salem monkey park nestled on the shores of Lake Constance.
Shortly after birth, the baby macaques predominantly stay with their mothers, but the fathers maintain a presence as well. According to Hilgartner, the male Barbary macaques tenderly care for the infants, offering relief to the mothers. This bond between fathers is also strengthened through the children.
The Affenberg in Salem hosts approximately 200 Barbary macaques within a roughly 20-hectare forested enclosure, making it Germany's largest monkey habitat. Since April, the park has welcomed four new macaque babies, as per Hilgartner's report.
Barbary macaques do not form conventional family units, instead choosing to live in larger groups. As Hilgartner explains, their mating dynamics result in undefined paternity among males. Regardless, these animals show affectionate care towards their group's offspring, with the possibility of the young ones being their own.
More potential offspring are expected in Salem beyond Father’s Day this year, Hilgartner assures. The park's gender composition can only be determined over time, according to the expert.
Annually, between 5 and 15 monkey babies are born in the park, Hilgartner indicates. Pregnancies among the mothers are often challenging to detect due to their diet during spring, which includes young leaves and shoots.
It is essential to note that Barbary macaques, like many monkey species, care for their young communally. Males take an active role in caring for their infants, helping nurse, carry, groom, and protect them. This communal care aids infants in learning social skills and enhances their survival chances. Interactions between males and infants also provide social benefits such as increased grooming and improved relationships within the group.
With Father's Day being a human cultural phenomenon, its impact on Barbary macaque behavior is irrelevant. Fatherly care among these macaques transcends seasonal or specific occasion boundaries and is integral to the group's social cohesion and protection.
- The employment policy of the Affenberg-Salem monkey park, as a health-and-wellness and family-focused organization, ensures the provision of care and support for the baby Barbary macaques, following the community policy that values communal care.
- The science behind primate behavior, particularly in Barbary macaques, has been furthered by the employment policy maintaining a team of experts like Roland Hilgartner, who study the role of fatherhood in these primates beyond Father's Day.
- As part of the fitness-and-exercise routine for the baby Barbary macaques, the employment policy at the Affenberg-Salem monkey park includes males taking an active role in caring for the infants, such as carrying, grooming, and protecting them, which promotes their physical and social well-being.
