Introduction
Studying monkeys with Eckhard
Professor Eckhard W. Heymann from Göttingen has been researching monkeys in the Amazon rainforest of Peru for 40 years.
For this purpose, he has set up the Estación Biológica Quebrada Blanco (EBQB). It is part of the German Primate Center – Leibniz Institute for Primate Research in Göttingen.
For this purpose, he has set up the Estación Biológica Quebrada Blanco (EBQB). It is part of the German Primate Center – Leibniz Institute for Primate Research in Göttingen.
Join us on a trip to the Amazon rainforest
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Journey to the Amazon
Everyday life at camp
Studying monkeys
Endangered paradise
Stay curious!
Journey to the Amazon
We travel to the Amazon
The city of Iquitos in Peru can only be reached by plane or by boat across the Amazon.
Deep into the rainforest
To get to the Estación Biológica Quebrada Blanco (EBQB) research station, we travel about 70 kilometers further south from the city of Iquitos.
Rivers are the main traffic routes
We travel up the Amazon from Iquitos for a day by colectivo, a kind of river cab, and eventually turn off into a tributary.
"The long journey on the colectivo...
...is best spent in a hammock having a nice chat with fellow travelers," says Eckhard and demonstrates how it's done.
Stopover in Chino
The journey with the colectivo ends in the small rural community. We spend the night here before heading on the next day.
Upstream in a canoe
We sail along the small river Quebrada Blanco, after which the field station is named.
A second boat is loaded with enough food for three weeks in the rainforest – and of course Eckhard's expedition case.
It contains all the utensils needed to observe the monkeys: decent binoculars, a laptop, notepads, pencils and sample containers.
A second boat is loaded with enough food for three weeks in the rainforest – and of course Eckhard's expedition case.
It contains all the utensils needed to observe the monkeys: decent binoculars, a laptop, notepads, pencils and sample containers.
Solid ground underfoot again at last!
From the landing site of the field station, it is a 15-minute walk to the camp. We will walk single file along a narrow path through the dense green of the rainforest.
"We're almost there!"
Everyday life at camp
Finally there!
The DPZ research station Estación Biológica Quebrada Blanco serves as a starting point for observing monkeys and other animals in the wild.
"For every hectare of forest here, there are around 300 different tree species and over 90 different mammal species," says Eckhard.
In this area, the tropical lowland rainforest is still largely intact.
"For every hectare of forest here, there are around 300 different tree species and over 90 different mammal species," says Eckhard.
In this area, the tropical lowland rainforest is still largely intact.
Meeting point kitchen
We get our drinking water directly from a clean creek.
Eckhard explains: "We have no fridge, so the fresh food is gone within the first week and a half."
"You learn to appreciate canned food here," he laughs, and adds: "We buy fresh fish and fruit in the neighboring village whenever possible."
Eckhard explains: "We have no fridge, so the fresh food is gone within the first week and a half."
"You learn to appreciate canned food here," he laughs, and adds: "We buy fresh fish and fruit in the neighboring village whenever possible."
A meal in the wilderness
For breakfast there is oatmeal or homemade bread, such as the traditional roscas. These are ring-shaped rolls that resemble rusks.
Eckhard recommends: "Try some Avena - it's a porridge made from oat flakes, milk powder, cocoa and sugar."
For dinner, there is usually a starch-based side dish such as rice, noodles, plantains or yuca (cassava) in combination with legumes and fresh vegetables, while stocks last.
Eckhard recommends: "Try some Avena - it's a porridge made from oat flakes, milk powder, cocoa and sugar."
For dinner, there is usually a starch-based side dish such as rice, noodles, plantains or yuca (cassava) in combination with legumes and fresh vegetables, while stocks last.
"There's yet another sloth in the toilet!"
"You won't hear that comment anymore - our new toilet is lockable," Eckhard chuckles.
There is a good reason for this: Sloths used to climb into the open outhouse until a new brick toilet hut was built. As human diseases can be transmitted to wild animals, a "sloth-proof" toilet was needed.
There is a good reason for this: Sloths used to climb into the open outhouse until a new brick toilet hut was built. As human diseases can be transmitted to wild animals, a "sloth-proof" toilet was needed.
The "bathroom" is a small creek near the huts.
Sleeping under mosquito nets
It's five o'clock in the morning as the alarm goes off. We are shivering despite the pleasant temperature of 20 to 22 degrees - everything is damp due to the high humidity.
Determined, we set off into the forest. We look for the sleeping tree where the monkeys went to rest in the late afternoon of the previous day.
Determined, we set off into the forest. We look for the sleeping tree where the monkeys went to rest in the late afternoon of the previous day.
Studying monkeys
Deep into the forest
Just in time
The time at which the black-fronted tamarins leave their sleeping tree during the short morning twilight must not be missed. Otherwise it will be difficult to find them again in the dense foliage.
We then follow the monkeys through the forest for about ten hours, constantly looking upwards.
We then follow the monkeys through the forest for about ten hours, constantly looking upwards.
So, where are they now?
With temperatures of up to 36 degree Celsius, we have to wade through swampy terrain, cross streams and fallen trees. Mosquitoes buzz around us and sweat bees crawl into our mouths, noses and ears.
Back at the camp
In the evening, we cook together and Eckhard tells us exciting stories about the life of the tamarins.
Read the following pages to find out what these little monkeys can do!
Read the following pages to find out what these little monkeys can do!
Tamarins are diligent "gardeners".
In total, the seeds of 88 different plant species were detected in the monkeys' feces.
The small monkeys play an important role in the forest ecosystem: They spread the seeds of eaten fruit and thus contribute to the regeneration of the forest.
The small monkeys play an important role in the forest ecosystem: They spread the seeds of eaten fruit and thus contribute to the regeneration of the forest.
"Gulp"
Tamarins can swallow surprisingly large seeds whole.
Eckhard says: "To achieve a comparable performance, a person would have to swallow a mango pit."
Eckhard says: "To achieve a comparable performance, a person would have to swallow a mango pit."
Safer together.
Black-fronted and moustached tamarins are often encountered together. They move through the forest in mixed species groups.
The larger group offers the animals better protection from predators such as birds of prey and snakes, as more eyes and ears detect predators more quickly.
The larger group offers the animals better protection from predators such as birds of prey and snakes, as more eyes and ears detect predators more quickly.
Endangered paradise
Let's take a step back and look at the rainforest as a whole.
Green lungs, ...
..., air conditioning, weather generator, natural pharmacy, biodiversity hotspot – the Amazon rainforest is known by many names, and they all apply.
Seen from our part of the world, the Amazon rainforest is far away, and yet it plays an essential role in all of our lives.
Seen from our part of the world, the Amazon rainforest is far away, and yet it plays an essential role in all of our lives.
The rainforest is in danger
It is being cut down, burned and flooded by dams. Deforestation is progressing on an enormous scale – especially for the cultivation of globally traded raw materials such as palm oil and soy.
Our contribution
"If we know more about the diverse animal and plant species in the Amazon region, we will also be able to protect their habitat more effectively," emphasizes Eckhard.
The research station makes a small contribution to preserving the forest for the monkeys and all other animals.
The research station makes a small contribution to preserving the forest for the monkeys and all other animals.
Eckhard's farewell tip:Stay curious!
Stay curious!
Stay curious!
A big thank you for your journey with Eckhard. More background information on primate studies and the historical beginnings of field research can be found here:
Blog entry by a field researcher
Field Notes: Peru Pilot Trip
More about research on monkeys
The German Primate Center in Göttingen (DPZ)
Catalog with background information (in German)
The turbulent history of field research in the Amazon
Prof. Eckhard W. Heymann in an interview (in German)
Why are monkeys becoming extinct? How does this affect humans? (Youtube)
Report on the EBQB station (in German)
On the occasion of the exhibition "In the Jungle" at the German Primate Center (Sat1 regional)
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Studying monkeys with Eckhard
Join us on a trip to the Amazon rainforest
Welcome to the jungle
We travel to the Amazon
Deep into the rainforest
Upstream
Rivers are the main traffic routes
"The long journey on the colectivo...
Stopover in Chino
Upstream in a canoe
Solid ground underfoot again at last!
"We're almost there!"
Finally there!
Meeting point kitchen
A meal in the wilderness
"There's yet another sloth in the toilet!"
The "bathroom" is a small creek near the huts.
Sleeping under mosquito nets
Deep into the forest
Just in time
So, where are they now?
Back at the camp
Tamarins are diligent "gardeners".
"Gulp"
Safer together.
Let's take a step back and look at the rainforest as a whole.
Green lungs, ...
The rainforest is in danger
Our contribution
Stay curious!