Destructible toys as enrichment for captive chimpanzees (1998)

Brent, L., Stone, A. M.

Abstract

Nine singly caged chimpanzees were provided with eight different toys made of plastic, vinyl, or cloth one at a time or several at once. The toys remained in the cages an average of three days. The chimpanzees varied greatly in their interest in the toys. One subject rarely contacted the toys and others used them a great deal and quickly destroyed them. It was concluded that the provision of flexible, inexpensive toys one at a time can be an effective method of enrichment for captive chimpanzees.