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Research

The large variety of animals and plants offer an excellent opportunity to do all sorts of research.
In the old days behavioural research was very important.

At Burgers' Zoo especially the chimpanzee research has become world renowned since 1971. Under the auspices of Prof. Jan van Hooff countless students and doctoral students have analysed their social behaviour. There have been many scientific publications and also a number of research papers were written on this subject.

Frans de Waal, who produced many other popular scientific publications as well, became the most well-known. Also many documentaries were made about the chimpanzees and Bert Haanstra even recorded a film about it, which was shown all over the world.

But researchers also received doctoral degrees for their research on the wolves and zebras. Even foreign students do their ethological research at Burgers'.

In addition, also veterinary and food technical research is done here. At Burgers' Ocean for instance the reproduction of corals, the behaviour of sharks and the nurturing of deep sea animals have been intensively worked on for years. Even chemical research is of great importance with respect to the quality of the seawater.

However, not only the animals are the subject of research here. Occasionally ecological studies take place at for example the Bush or the Mangrove Hall, and research on the rich plant collections takes place as well.

Research is also done on an annual basis in the area of environment and safety, in order to continue to further improve the Zoo.

The Stichting Lucie Burgers controls a fund that finances behavioural research whereby conservation plays an important role.

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