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Nocturnal Primate Research Group (NPRG)

Group Leader: Professor Giuseppe Donati

Contact: gdonati@brookes.ac.uk

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About us

Established in 1993, the Nocturnal Primate Research Group (NPRG) provides an international forum for coordination of research on nocturnal primates. Research involves nocturnal and cathemeral [day-and-night active] primates from South America, Africa, Madagascar and Asia, using innovative techniques.

We operate long-term field studies in Madagascar and in Java, Indonesia with associated conservation initiatives, including the Slow Loris Charity. The NPRG has developed a widespread network of collaborative links with academic institutions, conservation NGOs, enforcement agencies, wildlife societies, zoological museums and zoos.

Thick-tailed galago in South Africa

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Research impact

We help to determine the distribution and status of some of the most neglected species and to indicate the condition of declining habitats. We have named six new species and elevated several others from subspecific status. Our work on Asian lorises via the Little Fireface Project has led to important legislative changes regarding the keeping of lorises as pets, managing them in captivity, and improving international awareness of illegal trade.

Our library of sounds has helped researchers identify galago species across Africa. Our innovative conservation education programmes have helped to inspire youth in Madagascar and Asia to conserve nocturnal primates. Our work regularly appears in the media, including major BBC documentaries.

Membership

Staff

Name Role Email
Professor Simon Bearder Emeritus Professor skbearder@brookes.ac.uk
Professor Giuseppe Donati Professor in Biological Anthropology gdonati@brookes.ac.uk
Professor Vincent Nijman Professor in Anthropology vnijman@brookes.ac.uk
Dr Magdalena Svensson MSc Primate Conservation Lecturer and Laboratory Technician m.svensson@brookes.ac.uk

Students

Name Thesis Title Supervisors Completed
Dr Michela Balestri Ecology and conservation of the southern woolly lemur (Avahi meridionalis) in the Tsitongambarika Protected Area, south-eastern Madagascar Professor Giuseppe Donati 2018
Dr Marco Campera Ecological flexibilty and conservation of Fleurette's sportive lemur, Lepilemur fleureatae, in the lowland rainforest of Ampasy, Tsitongambarika Protected Area Professor Giuseppe Donati, Professor Vincent Nijman 2018
Claire Cardinal Lemur-human coexistence: the impact of human activities on the behaviour and demography of cathemeral lemurs in south-eastern Madagascar Professor Catherine (Kate) Hill, Professor Giuseppe Donati

Active
Sophie Manson Quantifying the ecosystem services provided by vertebrates within an agroforest environment in Java, Indonesia Professor Vincent Nijman

Active
Thais Morcatty A multilateral approach to tackling wildlife trade in South America: people, ecology and conservation Supervisors Dr Magdalena Svensson, Professor Vincent Nijman

Active
Brittany Rapone Cultural Influences Behind Exotic Pet Cafés in Japan and their Relation to the International Pet Trade Dr Jason Danely

Active
Bethany Watkins Beneath the moon and under the sun: what the navigational strategies of Eulemur collaris can tell us about the evolution of higher cognition Professor Giuseppe Donati, Dr Magdalena Svensson

Active

Collaborators

Name Role Organisation
Dr Sam Shanee Coordinator Neotropical Primate Conservation

Projects

Completed projects

Project title and description Investigator(s) Funder(s) Dates

Wildlife Friendly Coffee

Working with a cooperative of farmers in West Java, we are investigating the economic and ecological impacts of Wildlife FriendlyTM coffee on the conservation of the Critically Endangered Javan slow loris, and the well-being of local people.

 Oxford Brookes University, PTES, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Twycross Zoo From: September 2018
Until: June 2022