Lucie Burgers Foundation

LUCIE BURGERS IS COMMITTED TO ANIMAL BEHAVIOURAL RESEARCH

The Lucie Burgers Foundation encourages and facilitates comparative animal behavioural research. The foundation aims to advance knowledge on natural animal behaviour and ecology.

This knowledge allows us to improve our conservation efforts of the animals’ natural environment to offer endangered species the chance of a future. The foundation mainly supports research on the behaviour of wild animals.

Chimpanzees’ personalities and their role in social relationships

There is great interest among scientists in the personality of animals. Yet, little is known about primates’ personalities, especially chimpanzees. And, little research has been done into the link between personality and social behaviour. Therefore, we conducted an extensive study of chimpanzees’ personalities and showed that there are as many as six different personality dimensions in certain populations. Chimpanzees, like humans, choose friends who behave similarly.

Personality formation in great tits

Last year, Bernice Sepers received a grant from the foundation to study how great tits adapt their behaviour to a changing environment. She researched how environmental factors influence the personality of great tits (aggressive versus calm behaviour, social or withdrawn, etc.) through epigenetic markers (modifications in the genetic code by molecular groups).

Joint movements in both birds and fish

One of the subjects we studied is cooperation in swarms, both in fish and birds. The animals base their actions on the movements made by their neighbours! The Lucie Burgers Foundation made it possible, among other things, to visit Rome, where whole swarms of starlings could be filmed and examined, and to involve international students in the research.

Where orangutans learn to be apes again

The Lucie Burgers Foundation funds research and nature conservation. Recently, a contribution was made to the Four Footers Foundation (respectively to its international branch, ‘Four Paws’) for their work with orphaned orangutans in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The project aims to release the young orangutan orphans into the forest.

Migration routes of pygmy elephants

This research focused on the migration routes of the endangered Pygmy elephants in Borneo, Indonesia. The Lucie Burgers Foundation made it possible to conduct field research to see if the most likely migration routes are used. The presence of palm oil is a major factor attracting the Pygmy elephants. The rainy season also influences the migratory behaviour of this elephant species.

Behavioural study of Bili apes

This project focuses on the behaviour of the so-called Bili apes in the forests and grasslands of northern Congo. Thanks to the research, we have discovered that this species chooses tools based on the construction of, for example, ants’ nests, behaviour that is normally more appropriate for gorillas. The Lucie Burgers Foundation made it possible for us to carry out field research on this unique chimpanzee species.

Communication between common marmosets

Common marmosets can communicate with each other in reasonable detail. This research focused on females and whether they can communicate with each other about fertility. The Lucie Burgers Foundation made it possible to test this in common marmosets in various conditions. This way, more insights are gained into the communication abilities of this ape species.

Migration of the giant manta ray

This project focuses, among other things, on the migration of giant manta rays along the coast of Mozambique. The Lucie Burgers Foundation made it possible to tag these rays to collect data. With this crucial information, well-founded strategies can be devised to preserve this species.

HOW IT WORKS

It is to be expected that the survival of many animal species can only be guaranteed under conditions that are, to a greater or lesser extent, managed by human activity. The Lucie Burgers Foundation offers financial support for research projects that struggle to obtain support through the usual channels. The scientific relevance of the project is key.

HOW TO APPLY

The Lucie Burgers Foundation aims to provide financial support for research projects or parts thereof for which it isn’t easy to obtain financial support through the usual channels, e.g., additional support or research in preparation for a regular application (pilot projects). As the scientific interest of the project is our main goal, study placements are generally given a low priority. Applications from master’s students are also not accepted. Send an email to apply for funding. Applications are assessed twice a year, in May/June and December. The deadlines for applications are 30 April and 30 November.

Decisions on whether or not to grant financial support are reserved at all times for the board of the Lucie Burgers Foundation and are only taken according to a written board resolution to that effect. The Lucie Burgers Foundation does not use any powers of attorney or mandate in the sense of Article 3:60 of the Dutch Civil Code when providing support. No rights can be derived from previous commitments or discussions.

DONATE

We are very grateful to people willing to support us in encouraging and facilitating animal behavioural research to advance knowledge of natural animal behaviour and ecology.
Donations can be made to: IBAN: NL87ABNA0707070988; BIC: ABNANL2A

THE LUCIE BURGERS FOUNDATION

The Lucie Burgers Foundation was founded in 1980 and is named after Lucie Burgers, the daughter of Johan Burgers, the founder of Royal Burgers’ Zoo. Together with Reinier van Hooff, Lucie Burgers was the second generation to manage this family company. Lucie Burgers had an exceptional knowledge of animals and was a very proactive woman.

Board

Mr. A. Marcouch

Chairman

Prof. Dr. J.A.R.A.M. van Hooff

Board member

Prof.dr. M. Naguib

Board member

Drs. A.P.J.M. van Hooff

Secretary

Mr. M. Schellingerhout

Treasurer

Prof.dr. E.H.M. Sterck

Board member

Dr. W. Halfwerk

Board member

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Dutch Tax Office has recognised the Lucie Burgers Foundation as ANBI, meaning that donations made by The Lucie Burgers Foundation to third parties are tax-free. Gifts and inheritances that the foundation may receive are also exempt from gift and inheritance tax. The Lucie Burgers Foundation is a member of the Globe Guards umbrella organisation.

The foundation’s assets consist of funds deposited in a bank account. The assets are spent on:

Supporting projects
Reimbursement of secretarial expenses
Publications on The Lucie Burgers Foundation and its objectives

The annual accounts are prepared and approved by an accountant.