Marm-ite moments: Enriching marmoset behaviour with the 3Rs (2025)

Horsfield, A., Witts, N., Maishman, T.

Abstract

It is well documented that activity levels of non-human primates (NHPs) are reduced in captivity, particularly in laboratory settings where space and enclosure design are limited.1 The 3Rs encourages researchers to refine their care of protected species by increasing the focus of environmental enrichment to enhance welfare and validity of scientific output. (Figures 1, 2 and 3) Aims – Determine how the introduction of our current enrichment provision affects marmoset behaviours. – Identify differences in behavioural effects between enrichment objects. – Identify differences in interaction rate between food and non-food-based enrichment objects. – Identify any sex differences in enrichment interaction rate.