Low-cost environmental enrichment plan for laboratory macaques (1998)

Taylor, W. J., Laudenslager, M. L.

Abstract

One day a week, we take a group of three to four sinlgy and pair-housed macaques from their cages to a social pen where they have the opportunity to forage for monkey chow and sunflower seeds [scattered on woodchips]. .... We have observed no incidents of aggression in either foraging groups, even though all the macaques involved were adult males with their canines. What is most impressive about this program is its cost: all aspects (including the sunflower seeds, chicken scratch, novel items, play structures, and manpower) cost an average of three cents per animal, per day. ... Veterinary staff and researchers both noted the decreased level of traumatic lesions to conspecifics, the general calmness of the pens with novel objects and play structures, and the absence of any documented health effects (i.e., no intestinal obstructions, no pica).