Macaque

Beyond single metrics: Multi-parameter home-cage monitoring improves welfare assessment

Single outcome measures often fall short of the sensitivity and objectivity expected under European Directive 2010/63, particularly in fast progressing disease models. To address this gap, the German Research Foundation consortium FOR2591 collated data from 55 routinely used models in...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Amphibian, Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Frog & Toad, Gibbon, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rat, Rodent, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Talbot, S. R., Tolba, R. H., Bleich, A. 2026. Beyond single metrics: Multi-parameter home-cage monitoring improves welfare assessment. Laboratory Animals 60(1), 20–24.

3D-printable non-invasive head immobilization system for non-human primates

Background: Efficient head fixation is critical in primate behavioral experiments for accurate eye tracking and neural studies. Existing methods risk infection and bone necrosis due to their invasive nature. New method: We propose a custom-designed, 3D-printed non-invasive head immobilization system...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Behavioral & Cognitive Testing, Surgery & Post-OpAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Shahbazi, E., Nguyen, D., Swedan, T. et al. 2026. 3D-printable non-invasive head immobilization system for non-human primates. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 425, 110593.

Complex substrates and bedding for environmental enhancement and research: Or, the nature of primates

Complex substrates, including bedding, have generally been known to encourage nonhuman primate species-typical behaviors and have myriad uses in research, yet are still frequently resisted, especially in laboratory environments. Data show or suggest that complex substrates have the potential to...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Baboon, Chimpanzee, Gibbon, Lemur, Macaque, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Sayers, K., Allen, J., Bellanca, R. U. et al. 2026. Complex substrates and bedding for environmental enhancement and research: Or, the nature of primates. American Journal of Primatology 88(4), e70149.

Development and validation of a cynomolgus macaque grimace scale for acute pain assessment

Cynomolgus macaques may undergo surgical procedures for scientific and veterinary purposes. Recognition and assessment of pain using validated tools is a necessary first step for adequately managing pain in these primates. Grimace scales are one means of assessing the occurance...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Paterson, E. A., O’Malley, C. I., Moody, C. et al. 2023. Development and validation of a cynomolgus macaque grimace scale for acute pain assessment. Scientific Reports 13(1), 3209.

Ethological scars? Exposure to multiple negative events over a lifespan may predict abnormal repetitive behaviour in laboratory-housed rhesus macaques

We tested the hypothesis that, in rhesus macaques used in biomedical research, the performance of abnormal repetitive behaviours (ARBs; e.g. pacing, hair-plucking, eye-poking) reflects the cumulative burden of negative experiences. For 240 macaques living in two facilities, we did this...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Mason, G., Coleman, K., McCowan, B. et al. 2026. Ethological scars? Exposure to multiple negative events over a lifespan may predict abnormal repetitive behaviour in laboratory-housed rhesus macaques. Biology Letters 22(3), 20250638.

A collaborative, multi-institutional growth standard for dam-reared infant rhesus and pigtail macaques (Macaca mulatta and Macaca nemestrina) in research settings

A multicenter study was undertaken to generate new weight-for-age growth standards to monitor the growth of infant rhesus and pigtail macaques in research breeding colonies. Previously, single institutions have developed reference growth curves, under the assumption of linear growth, for...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Haertel, A. J., Berns, K. E., Falkenstein, K. (Shelley) P. et al. 2026. A collaborative, multi-institutional growth standard for dam-reared infant rhesus and pigtail macaques (Macaca mulatta and Macaca nemestrina) in research settings. American Journal of Primatology 88(3), e70139.

Social housing of postoperative animals to support animal welfare

Single housing of animals, or social isolation, is a known stressor for many species. Generally, laboratory animals are housed in social groups as a default to support their behavioral welfare. In some research protocols, investigators may request exemptions from social...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Regulations & Ethical Review, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: All/General, Cat, Dog, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Pig, Rabbit, Rodent

Citation: Darbyshire, A., Beninson, J., Dyson, M. C. et al. 2026. Social housing of postoperative animals to support animal welfare. JAALAS 65(1), 11–18.

Effects of social pairing on measurable disease outcomes in hospitalized rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) living in outdoor breeding colonies may require transient housing in an indoor hospital setting. While previous studies have documented the benefits of socially housing macaques to promote psychosocial wellbeing, concerns of pathogen transmission or wound tampering...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Burke, M. C., Haertel, A. J., Heagerty, A. et al. 2026. Effects of social pairing on measurable disease outcomes in hospitalized rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 88(4), e70144.

Behavioral management as a coping strategy for managing stressors in primates: The influence of temperament and species

Primates involved in biomedical research experience stressors related to captivity, close contact with caregivers, and may be exposed to various medical procedures while modeling clinical disease or interventions under study. Behavioral management is used to promote behavioral flexibility in less...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Animal Training, PersonalityAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Palmer, S., Oppler, S. H., Graham, M. L. 2022. Behavioral management as a coping strategy for managing stressors in primates: The influence of temperament and species. Biology 11(3), 423.

Opportunities for refinement of non-human primate vaccine studies

Non-human primates (NHPs) are used extensively in the development of vaccines and therapeutics for human disease. High standards in the design, conduct, and reporting of NHP vaccine studies are crucial for maximizing their scientific value and translation, and for making...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Humane Endpoint, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Prescott, M. J., Clark, C., Dowling, W. E. et al. 2021. Opportunities for refinement of non-human primate vaccine studies. Vaccines 9(3), 284.