Nonhuman Primate

Operant training differences between male and female group-housed nonhuman primates

Our study group consisted of 16 male (2.24-2.80 kg) and 16 female (1.96-2.91 kg) Chinese cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis), 2.5-3.5 years of age, that were housed in groups of 4. Our goal was to train the animals to come to...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Egeler, J. 2009. Operant training differences between male and female group-housed nonhuman primates. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 14(6), 4.

Self-directed biting in male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with self-injurious behavior (SIB) increases following acute treatment with the anxiogenic drug FG7142

A small percentage of captive macaques spontaneously exhibit self-injurious behavior (SIB), mostly in the form of self-directed biting. Several risk factors have been identified in the etiology of SIB in monkeys, including exposure to early life stressors. We hypothesize that...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Major, C. A., Kelly, B. J., Novak, M. A. et al. 2009. Self-directed biting in male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with self-injurious behavior (SIB) increases following acute treatment with the anxiogenic drug FG7142. American Journal of Primatology 71(S1), 89. (32nd Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #182)

Does simple feeding enrichment raise activity levels of captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)

Feeding enrichment is a commonly proposed way to promote natural behavior, greater activity levels and improved health in captive primates, but in many cases the methods have not been formally tested, especially for particular groups such as lemurs. We investigated...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Lemur, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Dishman, D. L., Thomson, D. M., Karnovsky, N. J. 2009. Does simple feeding enrichment raise activity levels of captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 116, 88-95.

Primate location preference in a double-tier cage: The effects of illumination and cage height

Across conditions, monkeys showed a strong preference for the upper row of a standard double-tier cage. If financial or spatial constraints require that some animals be housed in the lower row, we suggest providing these animals with regular access to...

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: MacLean, E. L., Roberts Prior, S., Platt, M. L. et al. 2009. Primate location preference in a double-tier cage: The effects of illumination and cage height. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 12, 73-81.

Severe intragroup aggressions in captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Members of captive colonies of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), a small New World primate, can occasionally be victims of repeated, and potentially fatal, attacks by a family-mate. This study examined the records of a colony, looking for past instances of...

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: de Filippis, B., Chiarotti, F., Vitale, A. 2009. Severe intragroup aggressions in captive common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 12, 214-222.

Preventing boredom in NHPs using fleece fabric and food freats

Each blanket costs approximately $0.40, allowing us to purchase large quantities at low prices. Blankets are disposed of every other day, and a new clean blanket, often one that provides different colors, shapes, and patterns than the one before, is...

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Lozano, A., West, A., Leland, S. et al. 2009. Preventing boredom in NHPs using fleece fabric and food freats. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 14(5).

Developing a reliable laboratory primate alopecia scoring system for interfacility collaboration and on-line training

Of the potential flags of impaired well-being in laboratory primates, alopecia has received particular regulatory focus, making it a top priority for behavioral managers. Consensus on a reliable alopecia scoring system used by multiple facilities can better determine prevalence and...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Crockett, C. M., Baker, K. C., Lutz, C. K. et al. 2009. Developing a reliable laboratory primate alopecia scoring system for interfacility collaboration and on-line training. American Journal of Primatology 71(S1), 73. (32nd Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #133)

Applications of positive reinforcement training in captive orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and Taiwanese macaques (Macaca cyclopsis)

PRT is a good way of shaping the behavior of captive animals and doing so can make the animals less stressed to promote their well being. PRT is commonly used by captive animal organizations in many countries, but not in...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Lee, S., Su, H. 2009. Applications of positive reinforcement training in captive orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and Taiwanese macaques (Macaca cyclopsis). American Journal of Primatology 71(S1), 34. (32nd Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #16)

The effect of feeding enrichment on the Moloch gibbon (Hylobates Moloch)

Study concluded that feeding devices may offer a viable form of environmental enrichment.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Gibbon, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Wells, D. L., Irwin, R. M. 2009. The effect of feeding enrichment on the Moloch gibbon (Hylobates Moloch). Applied Animal Welfare Science 12, 21-29.

Welfare and housing of chimpanzees in captive settings

Advances in facility design, healthcare, and other strategies have produced an excellent quality of life for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in biomedical research. Historically, many facilities housed chimpanzees individually or in small groups (2–3 animals). Laboratory chimpanzees today have interactive environments...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Lee, D. R., Ely, J. J. 2009. Welfare and housing of chimpanzees in captive settings. American Journal of Primatology 71(S1), 105. (32nd Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #230)