Ethnographic Approaches in Primatology

The outstanding feature of this publication is its dual engagement of natural and social science approaches to the discipline of primatology. Because of the increasingly anthropogenic environments in which primates live, primatologists need to expand their methodological toolkit in order to understand the behaviors, motivations, and cultural conceptualizations of the people who interact with primates. The studies presented here encompass a range of methods and research frameworks and illustrate some of the diverse ways that ethnographic approaches can deepen our understanding of the lived experiences of our conspecifics and primate cousins. By actively including humans as part of primates' "natural" environments and thus part of our research designs, primatologists are better able to develop effective coexistence strategies. This publication is essential reading for primatologists focusing on human-nonhuman primate relations and on primate management and conservation issues. It is also a valuable resource for anthropologists studying the human dimension of conservation, conservation scientists, and anyone interested in biosocial or interdisciplinary approaches to research.