Appendix A of the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes (2007)

Council of Europe

Abstract

Progressive regulations pertaining to the species-appropriate housing and handling of animals kept in research labs.Because the common laboratory non-human primates are social animals, they should be housed with one or more compatible conspecifics. .. Single housing should only occur if there is justification on veterinary or welfare ground. Single housing on experimental grounds should be determined in consultation with the animal technician and with the competent person charged with advisory duties in relation to the well-being of the animals (Council of Europe, 2006, p 44 & 14).Primates dislike being handled and are stressed by it; training animals to co-operate should be encouraged, as this will reduce the stress otherwise caused by handling. Training the animals is a most important aspect of husbandry, particularly in long-term studies. .. Training can often be employed to encourage the animals to accept minor interventions, such as blood sampling (Council of Europe, 2006, p 48).The flight reaction of non-human primates from terrestrial predators is vertical, rather than horizontal; even the least arboreal species seek refuge in trees or on cliff faces. As a result, enclosure height should be adequate to allow the animal to perch at a sufficiently high level for it to feel secure. .. The minimum enclosure height for caged marmosets and tamarins is 1.5 m; the minimum enclosure height for caged squirrel monkeys, macaques, vervets and baboons is 1.8 m. .. The structural division of space in primate enclosures is of paramount importance. It is essential that the animals should be able to utilise as much of the volume as possible because, being arboreal, they occupy a three-dimensional space. The make this possible, perches and climbing structures should be provided (Council of Europe, 2006, p 42,52,54,)