Great ape observatory
Protecting humans closest relatives
Researchers equip an orangutan with a tag.
MPI of Animal Behavior/ Voirin
Humans closest animal relatives are highly endangered in the wild. Only where we study them continuously do they reproduce and live well. At the same time, thousands of orphaned or rehabilitated great apes are waiting to be released back into the wild. However, first they need to be properly protected by wearable tags.
Icarus plans to optimize wearable communication anklets for great apes to enable them to call for help. Ethical considerations are centerpiece in this effort.
Animals: Orangutans
Location: South-East Asia
Contact: Meg Crofoot, Max Planck Institut of Animal Behavior, Konstanz/Germany