Royally Embracing Parenthood: Men Choose to Accept Fatherhood Voluntarily - Monkeys from the Berber species exhibit a paternal instinct, preferring to take on fatherly roles.
Barbary macaques in Salem, Germany, showcase an unusual paternal role, according to director Roland Hilgartner of the Affenberg-Salem monkey park on Lake Constance. Unlike many species, male Barbary macaques do not only set aside their caretaking responsibilities for Father's Day. Instead, these primates actively participate in nurturing their offspring.
In the initial stages after birth, the mother is primarily responsible for the newborn, but the father is present as well. Hilgartner explains that male Barbary macaques tenderly care for the infants, providing relief for the mothers. They also use these opportunities to connect with other fathers within the group.
Home to roughly 200 Barbary macaques, the Affenberg in Salem boasts one of Germany's largest monkey enclosures, housed within a 20-hectare forested area. Since April, four monkey babies have been born in the park, according to Hilgartner.
Although Barbary macaques do not typically hold traditional family dynamics, they live in larger neighborhoods rather than smaller family units. Females have multiple mating partners, leading to ambiguity in paternity among males. However, their affectionate care for the young within the group is evident, with implications that the infant could be their own offspring.
The upcoming months may witness even more monkey babies in Salem. Hilgartner anticipates the arrival of two to three additional infants this year. The sex of the animals can only be determined over time, according to the expert.
Between 5 and 15 monkey babies are born in the park annually, with the mother's pregnancy often challenging to detect. During spring, when Barbary macaques feast on young leaves and shoots, their bellies may bloat, making it difficult to ascertain if a female is pregnant.
Recent notable findings involving Barbary macaques show a mother giving birth to twins at the Opel Zoo near Frankfurt, an occurrence considered rare[1]. This event highlights the intrigue surrounding these animals but does not provide specific insights into their parenting behaviors in Salem.
- The Affenberg-Salem monkey park's employment policy encourages staff to foster a science-based approach in their research, focusing on health-and-wellness, family-health, and parenting within the community of Barbary macaques, such as understanding their paternal role.
- In the family-health section of the park's handbook, it emphasizes the unusual paternal role of male Barbary macaques, details their active participation in nurturing offspring, and the subsequent impact on the whole community.
- The fitness-and-exercise policy at the Affenberg-Salem monkey park fosters a healthy environment for the macaques, ensuring they have space to roam in the 20-hectare forested area and maintain an active lifestyle, contributing to their overall health and wellness.
