Rhesus monkeys frequently assume a paternal role in troop dynamics. - Berber monkey males exhibit a paternal instinct
Barbary Macaques at the Affenberg-Salem Monkey Park Show Unusual Paternal Care
The male Barbary macaques at a monkey park near Lake Constance demonstrated an uncommon behavior lately - taking an active role in caring for their young. Roland Hilgartner, the park director, explained that fathers do not abandon their newborns solely to the mothers.
After birth, the young macaques stay mainly with their mothers, but the fathers are present as well. "Male Barbary macaques show a caring instinct towards the babies, providing relief to the mothers," explained Hilgartner. The little ones are not only cherished by their mothers but also their fathers, who make physical contact with other male parents through the babies.
The Affenberg-Salem monkey park offers a 20-hectare forested enclosure where almost 200 Barbary macaques reside, making it Germany's largest monkey enclosure. Four monkey babies are said to have been born in the park since April, as per Hilgartner.
The family structure of Barbary macaques is not like that of humans; they do not live in pairs or families, but in larger groups. The mating system is promiscuous, leading to uncertain paternity among males. Nevertheless, they embrace their fatherly roles within the troop, showing affection to the babies, possibly being their own offspring or those born to high-ranking females. The park is expecting more monkey babies to be born even after Father's Day.
The matrilineal social organization of the monkeys means rank and inheritance pass through females. The dominant females have multiple mating partners, and alloparenting among females is common to bolster their social status or rank. The entire troop takes interest in newborns, with behaviors such as friendly teeth-chattering and lip-smacking directed toward infants.
The paternal caregiving and alloparental care system significantly enhance the survival and social integration of infants in the Barbary macaque group at Affenberg-Salem, resulting in a complex and well-organized society.
The unusual paternal care displayed by male Barbary macaques at the Affenberg-Salem Monkey Park may influence the lifestyle and family-dynamics within the troop, as fathers not only show a caring instinct towards their offspring but also engage in physical contact with other male parents through the babies. This caring behavior, which includes offering relief to the mothers, could potentially impact home-and-garden dynamics within the 20-hectare enclosure, fostering a unique environment that reflects the relationships between the macaques.
