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Linking Observation and Conservation:

10 Baboon Research and Conservation at Brookfield Zoo Su e Margulis, Ph.D. Associate in Research Brookfield Zoo

A team of scientists and students, most important, ongoing research headed by Brookfield Zoo Research projects ever undertaken on pri­ Curator Jeanne Altmann, has been mate behavior and ecology: the studying baboon behavior and ecology Amboseli Baboon Research Project. for over 30 years as part of the Amboseli Baboon Research Project Better Behavioral Methodology in Amboseli National Park, Kenya. As Stuart began his studies of This long-term research project has baboons, Jeanne occupied her time contributed to our basic understanding by examining the methodology of primate behavior and social organi­ behind naturalistic behavioral zation, and helped to define and research. A fairly unstructured strengthen the role that behavioral enterprise, behavioral research research can and does play in con­ depended on the astute observa­ servation efforts. The Amboseli Baboon tions of field researchers, who Research Project has received the sup­ simply observed the animals and port of the Chicago Zoological Society noted any behavior that seemed since 1985. important. In the case of baboon research, baboon males tend to be In 1963, behavioral ecologist Stuart bigger, louder, and attract more Altmann, accompanied by his wife attention than do females. Not Jeanne and their young son, set off surprisingly, most early research for the Amboseli Game Reserve in tended to focus on males as the Kenya to study yellow baboons core of the group. Jeanne Altmann's work with yellow (Papio cynocephalus). Stuart would baboons in Amboseli began in 1963 as To truly understand an animal's a research assistant for her husband Stuart. observe and follow individual behavior, a scientist would have It was then that she began to refine animals to develop a clear under­ observation techniques that refocused to follow it 24-hours-a-day, standing of the social and environ­ the field of behavioral research. 7-days-a-week-an unrealistic mental factors that influence technique. Jeanne and Stuart were baboon life. Although she would confident that they could develop serve the project as a research assis­ a better way to collect behavioral tant, Jeanne, whose background data. Surely, there was a way to was in mathematics, was not a focus behavioral studies so that major player. She never dreamed researchers could compare behav­ that the research would one day ioral information collected on become her life's work, nor that different animals. Jeanne devel­ they were embarking on one of the oped a set of observational

11 Female baboons inherit their dominance rank from their mothers. A female's rank can influence access to food and other resources, and remains little changed throughout her life.

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techniques, which she called primate) societies. Females usually "observational sampling." By stay in the groups into which they conducting a series of short, but are born (their natal groups), and systematic and structured observa­ maintain long-term relationships tions, researchers could draw and dominance hierarchies. conclusions about what animals Grooming reinforces these bonds. do the rest of the time. Jeanne Males, who emigrate from their formalized her methods in a land­ natal groups when they reach mark paper published in 1974 that maturity, don't maintain such refocused behavioral research. strong social relationships. Based on these now formally Jeanne began work on a doctorate defined methods, a very interesting in human development at the picture of baboon behavior and University of Chicago. Six social interaction began to emerge. thousand miles from Chicago, It soon became apparent that the Arnboseli baboon population females, and not males, formed provided the ideal research the core of baboon (and many other subjects for this thesis work.

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Jeanne focused her early research garnered the support of the growth, and development have on the development of baboon Chicago Zoological Society. Thus become a part of the project. infants and the influence of the began a long and mutually benefi­ Researchers found their answer social organization on mothers and cial relationship between the in a neat little package left behind their offspring. She observed that world's leading expert on baboons by the baboons: feces. The amount baboon mothers varied in their and Brookfield Zoo. Today, this of knowledge that can be gained mothering styles (much as human research continues to make notable from fecal analysis-information parents do), with some mothers contributions to baboon conserva­ about genetics, hormones, nutri­ being very restrictive and protec­ tion and education. tion, and health-is both surprising tive, and others allowing their and worth the humbling effort infants more freedom. Some of A New Revolution in Research of collection. the protective mothers were low­ Landmark discoveries like these This developing field of scatology ranking females whose infants are made through careful observa­ (the study of scat) has opened were likely to be harassed, and tion. Researchers at Amboseli many doors that allow scientists the laid back, or "laissez faire" make it a point to observe baboon to gather detailed information on mothers were high-ranking females behavior, not impact it. Taking baboons without disturbing them. whose infants were less likely to this high road makes obtaining Scats contain DNA that enable sci­ be harassed. some kinds of information from entists to determine paternity and the baboons nearly impossible. In baboon societies, daughters hormones that allow researchers to Never underestimate the creativity inherit their mother's dominance evaluate stress levels. This exciting of a behavioral researcher, how­ rank-daughters of low-ranking new addition to the field of behav­ ever. Research on genetics, mothers are low-ranking, daugh­ ioral research has become possible endocrinology (hormones), ters of high-ranking mothers are high-ranking. Position within this dominance hierarchy for female baboons is very important: it affects her access to resources, like food. The rank of mothers matters much less for that of their sons as they change rank frequently as adults within their new groups. Since high-ranking daughters benefit more from social position than sons or low-ranking daughters, Jeanne wondered if high-ranking mothers rear more daughters than sons and if low-ranking females rear more sons than daughters. Her hypothe­ sis proved true. In 1979, Jeanne completed her doctoral thesis based on this research, and became the first person in University of Chicago history to receive a Ph.D. in human development without ever studying humans. In 1985, Jeanne joined the Brookfield Zoo staff and the Amboseli Baboon Research Project The rank of baboon mothers matter less to their sons. Male baboons may change rank several times during their lives.

13 through Brookfield Zoo and the baboon groups will come away Amboseli research group cultivat­ from the experience with a better Ecotourists to Kenya enjoy the ing many collaborative relation­ understanding of the many pres­ ships with scientists around the sures on this region. The Amboseli vacation of a lifetime, viewing world. The information it yields ecosystem is home to Maasai megaherbivores such as giraffes also provides a baseline for health herdsmen and a wealth of African and elephants, predators such as and behavior that allow Brookfield wildlife, both of which bring and other zoos to examine their tourists and money into the local big cats, and prey in a natural success in husbandry and health economy. Lodges now dot the environment. But, even tourists care for their animals. landscape in and around Amboseli. armed only with cameras can Ecotourism is a wonderful way to The Problems With Ecotourism communicate conservation objec­ impact the environment in sub­ Tourists traveling to Kenya who are tives, and it brings money and jobs stantial and negative ways. fortunate enough to listen to Jeanne to the local community, but not all Altmann or one of her colleagues aspects of tourism are beneficial to Brookfield Zoo supports respon­ speak and to see the famous the local environment. sible ecotourism by requiring each business that offers services or accommodations to Brookfield Zoo tour participants to meet the zoo's strict ecological require­ ments. These include minimizing their impact and that of their guests on the environment and local wildlife.

This past June, a Brookfield Zoo "Family Safari" to Kenya visited Amboseli National Park, where visitors from the Chicago area were able to see some of the baboon groups studied by Jeanne and her colleagues. Tour partici­ pants rose before sunrise and joined Jeanne at her research site to see how baboons start their day. Jeanne returned to the lodge later that evening to answer ques­ tions about baboons, her research, life in the field, Kenyan culture, and conservation issues. Living a traditional lifestyle, Maasai families traverse Amboseli with their cattle.

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Grooming is an important social behavior that establishes and reinforces bonds between group members.

With the expansion of lodges long run, the baboons usually lose came an increase in lodge-related these conflicts. Jeanne's efforts to activities, like traffic (tourist vans) persuade the lodge operators to and garbage. One group of alter their behavior (dumping baboons found the lure of the trash) so that the baboons would garbage dump too appealing, and alter theirs (feeding on trash) settled in for the long run. This have met with occasional success. Lodge Group has become the Researchers have submitted recom­ wildlife equivalent of couch pota­ mendations to Park management toes. Jeanne, her assistants, and for responsible ecotourism policies former student Philip Muruthi, and advocated consumer educa­ studied the Lodge Group, and tion. In the meantime, the Lodge found that they spend less time Group continues to feed on the foraging and feeding than their discards from the tourist lodges. wild-feeding cousins, they are fatter, they mature earlier, they Conservation Training reproduce more often and more in the Field successfully, and they have more Long-term research projects, such time for activities like socializing as the Amboseli Baboon Research and fighting. They are also more Project, reach far beyond the work likely to have conflicts with their of a few scattered individuals. human neighbors, especially as Those scientists and students fortu­ their group grows larger. In the nate enough to participate in the

15 Above: Training a future generation of conservation biologists is an important part of the Arnboseli Baboon Research Project. Here Jeanne works with Raphael Supeet Mututua. Left: A great deal of the Amboseli research project has focused on the development of baboon infants and the influence of social organization on mothers and their offspring.

Amboseli Research Project have To succeed, conservation and studied on the cutting edge of research efforts require the cooper­ behavioral research. Numerous ation and commitment of local students from the United States residents and scientists. Early on, and Kenya have trained and the Project drew research assistants received degrees for research and camp workers from the com­ conducted as part of the project. munities surrounding Amboseli Students from the University of National Park. Some of these assis­ Chicago and from abroad also tants are now highly trained field travel to Brookfield Zoo to biologists. Cooperation supports work with Jeanne and the zoo's both the research efforts and the baboon group of Guinea baboons. community as money is drawn Researchers associated with the to the local people and to those Amboseli Research Project main­ employed by the Project. Such tain significant collaborative ties intensive interaction and participa­ with local scientists, as well as tion is crucial since, ultimately, it is with the community in and the scientists and conservationists around Amboseli. of Kenya who will be responsible

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for long-term research and conser­ Results Benefit Brookfield Zoo needed to educate its audience vation efforts. The participation of Those who work at Brookfield Zoo about their role in worldwide local people in research projects appreciate what a tremendous conservation efforts. worldwide hones skills and helps resource the Amboseli Project can Nearly two million people visit to establish valuable international be. This research offers a baseline Brookfield Zoo each year, and networks that can benefit future for health and behavioral standards one of the highlights is a visit to research and conservation efforts. that allow zoos to examine their Baboon Island. Despite the long­ Local scientists also bring valuable success in husbandry and health term research supported by the knowledge and insights into the care for baboons and all zoo ani­ zoo and conducted by one of our ecology and sociology of the area. mals. Using the information culled own curators, the educational from research projects supported Today, Jeanne usually spends two potential of Baboon Island was worldwide, Brookfield Zoo is able to four months in the field each largely untapped. to determine appropriate diets, year, but the research continues in levels of activities, and health stan­ In the summer of 1996, Jeanne and her absence. Three full-time field dards that improve husbandry and I joined with other Brookfield Zoo assistants, as well as visiting gradu­ care of all animals. colleagues to revamp the zoo's ate students and scientists from Baboon Island interpretive pro­ around the world, continue to On behalf of Brookfield Zoo, the gram. The plan focuses on three collect that long-term data that are Project continues to advance con­ main areas. First, it conveys the the essence of the Amboseli Baboon servation education and research results of Jeanne's unique research Research Project. Its influence will efforts for Africa's wildlife. How­ to zoo visitors. Second, it makes be felt for generations to come. ever, here at home, Brookfield Zoo visitors aware of Brookfield Zoo's

New observation windows installed in 1996 open another world to young visitors at Baboon Island. substantial role in research and live in the wild before we can "So Much to do, So Little Time" conservation efforts worldwide. take meaningful steps to con­ compares the time budgets of Finally, it seeks to have visitors serve them. Observational baboons. Time budgets are valu­ come away with a new apprecia­ sampling techniques helped to able tools that break down how tion for the importance of revolutionize our understanding much time animals spend engaged behavioral observation for conser­ of animal societies. in various activities, like feeding, vation actions. With a generous resting, and socializing. In the "Looking for Clues" introduces grant from the National Science mid-1980s, Jeanne and Brookfield the field of scatology and describes Foundation and additional funding Zoo researcher Amy Samuels how researchers acquire useful from the Chicago Zoological compared time budgets of wild information about baboons by Society and the University Amboseli baboons, the Lodge studying their feces. Expected to of Chicago, five permanent Group baboons, and the baboons be a favorite of children, this station displays will soon be installed on Baboon Island at the zoo. The also conveys the sense that animal at Baboon Island. Lodge baboons, who had a con­ studies are collaborative exer­ stant and stable source of food, "Can Studying Baboon Behavior cises-a real team effort. More were more likely to become obese, Help Conservation?" will establish than a dozen researchers world­ and were more aggressive and less the crucial link between behavioral wide contribute to our under­ active than their wild counterparts. observation and conservation standing about baboons through In terms of how they spent their action. Indeed, we must under­ this emerging scientific field. time, Lodge baboons, in fact, were stand more about how animals very similar to Brookfield Zoo's baboons: they had created for themselves a voluntarily human­ dependent environment. "Baboons in Two Worlds," is a unique informational station that answers real visitors' questions. The planning team interviewed 200 Baboon Island visitors to assess general levels of interest and knowledge about baboons, conser­ vation, and behavior. One of the questions we asked visitors was: "What are some things you think visitors want to know about baboons?" This panel answers at least a few of these questions. Finally, "Coping with a Changing Environment" focuses most directly on environmental change and how it influences behavior. Because behavior is often the first thing to change when an animals' environment changes, it may serve as an "early warning" that signals New touch-cart activities are one part of a comprehensive interpretive renovation underway the need to address an environ­ at Brookfield Zoo's Baboon Island, and are designed to communicate the important research mental problem before it seriously supported by the Chicago Zoological Society. impacts animals .

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To accompany this new signage, While it is true that baboons are innovative docent programs, not endangered, their way of life touch carts, and self guides have certainly is, as are many of the been developed. In one activity, other animal species with whom visitors undertake genuine behav­ they share their habitat. The ioral research at Baboon Island. long-term data that we gather on The zoo is undertaking a study to baboons allow us to evaluate the re-evaluate the time budgets of relationship between behavior the zoo's baboons. Under the and changes in habitat. Because supervision of docents, visitors baboons have been so well-studied are collecting some of the data in by scientists like Jeanne Altmann this research project. Docents offer and colleagues here at Brookfield minimal instruction and lead visi­ Zoo and elsewhere, Baboon tors through a brief observation Island can illustrate the import­ session. Visitors should come away ance of behavioral research with a new-found appreciation for and conservation. the work of behavioral biologists.

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