A foraging task reduces agonistic and stereotypic behaviors in pigtail macaque social groups (1998)

Boccia, M. L., Hijazi, A. S.

Abstract

The results of this study indicate that the introduction of a naturalistic foraging task [sunflower seed scattered on woodchips] into groups of socially housed pigtailed macaques can have a significant effect on their behavioral repertoire, although there can be significant group differences. ... The monkeys increased the time they spent engaged in environmentally directed behaviors, and this correlated with a decrease in time spent in agonistic (for one group) and abnormal behaviors (for both groups). ... Both groups also evidenced declines in hairpulling.... Stereotypies (such as pacing) also significantly decreased in both groups.