26.04.2015 - 03:16
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Department of Primatology

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Deutscher Platz 6
04103 Leipzig

phone: +49 (341) 3550 - 200
fax: +49 (341) 3550 - 299

Nicole Seiler

© Ackermann

Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Department of Primatology
Deutscher Platz 6
D-04103 Leipzig, Germany

phone: +49 341 3550 268

Current Research

The availability and abundance of food are thought to limit primate density and thus to influence population growth of species. Knowing how resources are distributed and how animals use these are crucial for park management and conservation strategies of this critically endangered species. Despite all the years of gorilla research, the question of why there are large differences in the ranging patterns within the gorilla genus has not been answered yet. We still don’t know whether the differences are mainly due to differences in the availability or abundance of food and/or high-quality herbaceous food and/or fruit. In my dissertation I am trying to understand the factors that influence the gorillas’ short term as well as long term movement patterns. This will allow us to understand how gorillas use their habitat on a spatial and temporal scale.

In my project I am only working with Ugandan research and field assistants. This project provides capacity building as well as income for local people around the park, which is in my opinion a crucial component to the conservation effort of the endangered mountain gorilla.

The work is funded by: