Group-housing subadult male cynomolgus macaques in a pharmaceutical environment (2001)

Hartner, M. K., Hall, J., Penderhest, J. et al.

Abstract

A carefully designed, successful group-formation and group-housing protocol of five 3.5+ years old previously single-caged cynos is described in detail. Not only can the social complexity of the animals' interactions be increased, but also routine tasks can be accomplished with ease. The animals are easy to handle, restrain, and chair train, and they readily accept biomedical research project requirements. ... Through the maintenance of touch gates and constant visual contact during the study [requiring single-housing for over a month], we were able to regroup the animals [without accidents] within 24 hours. .. Since we began the program, the animals have transitioned through puberty and subadult stages .. and are now cohabitating as adults.