Long-term effects of a natural foraging task on aggression and stereotypies in socially housed pigtail macaques (1989)

Boccia, M. L.

Abstract

A supplementary feeding of approximately one cup of sunflower seeds were dispersed throughout the cage in the woodchip bedding in the middle of the afternoons, 4-6 hours after the group was fed their daily ration of chow and fruit. ... Two months following the introduction of the foraging task .. stereotypies remained depressed, and hairpulling remained rare. In addition, bedding exploration and other types of exploration remained elevated, and agonistic behaviors remained low. ...It seems possible to use such a task for enrichment purposes in socially housed primates, to reduce levels of stereotypies and agonistic interactions on a long term basis. ... The likelihood of boredom or habituation is greatly lessened, and the variety of stimulation is substantial, with an ever-changing, although predictable social partners.