Action Day provides information about species conservation and the 20th anniversary of the Macaca Nigra project
The Vivarium Zoo invites visitors to "Crested Macaque Day" on Saturday, July 18th . The occasion is the 20th anniversary of the Macaca Nigra Project , which is dedicated to the protection and research of the critically endangered crested macaque. Visitors can expect a diverse program centered around one of the Darmstadt Zoo's most famous animal species.
Crested macaques have been among the most popular animals at the Vivarium Zoo for decades. However, their situation in their natural habitat on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi is dire: their numbers have declined by around 70 percent in the last 30 years.
“Visitors can expect a diverse program on the day of the event, all about crested macaques and international species conservation. Planned activities include an information booth with a quiz, narrated feeding demonstrations, coloring activities for children, and a photo gallery from the Sulawesi rainforest. The sale of various products will allow the zoo to continue supporting the ‘Macaca Nigra Project,’” explains City Treasurer André Schellenberg.
With this day of action, the zoo aims to raise awareness of the threats facing this species and simultaneously acknowledge its long-standing collaboration with the international species conservation project. Since 2012, there has been close cooperation with the project's founders and co-directors, Dr. Antje Engelhardt from the German Primate Center in Göttingen and Dr. Anja Widdig from the University of Leipzig. The project is dedicated to protecting crested macaques and preserving their habitat in the Tangkoko Wildlife Refuge on Sulawesi. Numerous other animal and plant species in the region also benefit from this effort.
A special highlight is the premiere of the film "Expedition Sulawesi." Wildlife filmmaker Reinhard Mink traveled through the habitat of the crested macaques last year and will give a presentation about the animals and the underwater world of North Sulawesi following the screening. The 90-minute film will be shown on Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, starting at 5 p.m. .
Only the regular zoo admission fee applies for the event day. Registration for the film premiere is required by phone at +49 6151 13-46900 or by email to zoo-vivarium@darmstadt.de .
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
