Birger Puppe

Birger Puppe is a Professor of Behavioural Sciences at the University of Rostock and holds a joint professorship with the Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf. He leads the Competence Area 'Behaviour and Husbandry' and the 'Animal Behaviour & Welfare' working group at FBN. His research focuses on applied ethology, animal welfare, and the physiological and behavioral aspects of farm animals, particularly pigs and poultry.

Since 1989, he has been a Research Scientist at the FBN, advancing to Head of the Institute of Behavioural Physiology (2014–present). His academic credentials include a Doctor of Natural Sciences (1993) and Habilitation (2008) in Behavioural Biology. He teaches courses on behavioural biology, livestock ethology, and animal welfare systems at the University of Rostock's Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Key research interests include social behavior, stress physiology, learning and cognition in animals, bioacoustics, and the methodology of applied ethology. His work emphasizes translating behavioral insights into practical husbandry solutions to enhance animal welfare and productivity. Recent studies involve technological applications like RFID systems for behavior monitoring and cognitive bias testing in pigs.

Publications span over 30 years, addressing topics such as vocalization analysis, coping strategies in livestock, and the impact of environmental enrichment. Collaborations include studies on dairy cattle urinary control and greenhouse gas reduction. Puppe's contributions bridge fundamental ethology with applied agricultural practices.