In 1997 the Max Planck Society was required to cut its budget and four institutes, including the Behavioral Physiology unit, were chosen for closure, reportedly because their directors were nearing retirement and not due to any failures in scientific research. A part of it survived as the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology.
In 1997, the Max Planck Society had to reduce its budget, resulting in the closure of four institutes, including the Behavioral Physiology unit. The decision was attributed to directors nearing retirement and not research performance. A part of the institute survived as the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology.