Guide of the Care and Use of Laboratory Primates (Second Edition) (2003)

Primate Research Institute

Abstract

Measures appropriate to individual characteristics should be undertaken and housing space should be as wide as possible. Devices suitable for gross motor and behavioral patterns, such as perches and three-dimensional strictures should be arranged to make as much use of the available space as is possible. [Chapter IV] Diversity is essential to the housing environment of laboratory animals. For example, as described in Chapter V, windows through which the animals can see the outside world may help to alleviate some boredom. As primates are generally omnivorous, variations in food to nutritionally balanced but simple diets are preferable and food presentation should satisfy the animal's interest in manipulating objects. In order to satisfy their requirement to interact with their environment, it is desirable to provide feeders that require complex handling or devices which in some way lead the animals to object manipulation. Such procedures, which serve to increase variety and decrease the predictability of their environment, should be introduced to the full extent that housing and research conditions allow. [Chapter IV] Primates are very social animals. Physical contact, such as grooming, and non-contact communication through visual, auditory, and olfactory signals are vital elements of their lives. Providing animals with a satisfactory social interaction helps to buffer against the effects of stress, reduce behavioral abnormalities, increase opportunities for exercise and helps to develop physical and social competence. Carelessness in the grouping of animals leads to increases in wounds due to fighting and an increase in susceptibility to metabolic disorders due to physiological stress. In order to create a suitable social environment, attention must be given to factors such as familiarity among animals and social rank. Care-takers should know in advance as to whether individuals are compatible and sustainable as determined by familiarity, social rank, age, and so on. [Chapter IV] Good relations between the animals and personnel is important for animals to reduce stress free and for personnel to obtain safer working conditions. Personnel who have gained the trust of animals can more easily perceive abnormal behaviors and the animals are more likely to cooperate with them during research procedures, such as restraint and blood sampling. Even in cases where an animal's social environment is not satisfactory because of research purposes, a good relationship with humans may compensate somewhat. [Chapter IV] Pain and other physical stress, such as physical or chair restraint, most definitely affects the behavior and psychology of laboratory animals. All possible measures to reduce their incidence should be taken. As discussed above, animals should be trained to be as cooperative as possible to the procedures to facilitate the rapid completion of work and to alleviate stress in both the animals and people in charge. [Chapter IV] Cages should be designed and constructed so that the following requirements may be met:a. Space enough to allow the animals to perform normal behaviors, to maintain natural postures and movements and to allow for an appropriate rest structure. [Chapter VI]