Publications

The impact of care on chimpanzee welfare: A comprehensive review

Animal welfare research has increased dramatically in scope and prevalence, spanning zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and research facilities. Chimpanzees are the most common and well-studied great ape living in human care. This considerable focus on chimpanzee welfare provides the foundation for...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Angley, L. P., Vale, G. L., Cronin, K. A. 2024. The impact of care on chimpanzee welfare: A comprehensive review. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 275, 106272.

Effect of rehabilitation exercise on locomotion performance of captive Bengal slow loris

The Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) is one of the most confiscated and rescued primate species in China. These animals are often subject to physical issues due to poor husbandry practices in captivity. Many individuals rescued from the illegal wildlife...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Bolin, X., Linhong, L., Dongchen, H. et al. 2024. Effect of rehabilitation exercise on locomotion performance of captive Bengal slow loris. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 276, 106304.

Comparison of sucrose and maltose as reinforcers in an operant choice paradigm

Two experiments compared the reinforcing effects of sucrose and maltose across a range of concentrations. The results were interpreted using the Multiplicative Hyperbolic Model of reinforcer value (MHM). In Experiment 1, rats were exposed to a discrete-trials schedule in which...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Bradshaw, C. M. 2024. Comparison of sucrose and maltose as reinforcers in an operant choice paradigm. Behavioural Processes 220, 105075.

A new laboratory research model: The Damaraland mole-rat and its managed care

The Damaraland mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis) is a subterranean, hypoxia-tolerant, long-lived rodent endemic to southern and central Africa that is increasingly being used in laboratory research. Its husbandry needs and characteristics differ from traditional rodent research models. Here, we provide a...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mole Rat, Rodent

Citation: Buffenstein, R., Smith, M., Amoroso, V. G. et al. 2024. A new laboratory research model: The Damaraland mole-rat and its managed care. JAALAS 63(6), 683–693.

Fin clipping does not increase opercular beat rate in tricaine-treated zebrafish

To carry out research with genetically modified animals, their genotype has to be assessed. A standard protocol to obtain required tissue samples from zebrafish is finclipping. However, some studies reported considerable stress induced by this protocol. We therefore assessed ventilation...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Burkhalter, M. D., Philipp, M. 2024. Fin clipping does not increase opercular beat rate in tricaine-treated zebrafish. Laboratory Animals 58(6), 616–620.

How much “enrichment” is enough for laboratory rodents? A systematic review and meta-analysis re-assessing the impact of well-resourced cages on morbidity and mortality

Laboratory rodent housing often fails to meet rodents' behavioral and physiological needs. We previously found that compared to well-resourced (often called 'enriched') housing, conventional cages increase mortality rates and the morbidity of stress-sensitive experimentally-induced diseases (anxiety, cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression,...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cait, J., Winder, C. B., Mason, G. J. 2024. How much “enrichment” is enough for laboratory rodents? A systematic review and meta-analysis re-assessing the impact of well-resourced cages on morbidity and mortality. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 278, 106361.

Effects of simple cage enrichment and its removal on the behavior and welfare of American mink (Neogale vison)

Environmental enrichment may reduce stereotypies in fur-farmed mink. North American mink standards require manipulable enrichment objects within cages. However, mink can rapidly destroy objects inhibiting continuous enrichment presence, which may have negative welfare impacts. This experimental study determined the effects...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mink

Citation: Campbell, D. L. M., Cohen-Barnhouse, A. M., Bursian, S. J. 2025. Effects of simple cage enrichment and its removal on the behavior and welfare of American mink (Neogale vison). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 28(1), 74–89.

The lasting impact of social isolation: Behavioral insights from former pet and entertainer chimpanzees in a sanctuary in Spain

Human fascination with chimpanzees has driven extensive research on the species, but also led to exploitation by private owners and entertainment industries. These animals often suffer species-specific inadequate conditions, which can result in the development and display of abnormal behaviors...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Chen, E., Pipolo, G., Crailsheim, D. et al. 2025. The lasting impact of social isolation: Behavioral insights from former pet and entertainer chimpanzees in a sanctuary in Spain. American Journal of Primatology 87(1), e23715.

Murine model of minimally invasive nasal depot (MIND) technique for central nervous system delivery of blood–brain barrier-impermeant therapeutics

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) poses a substantial obstacle to the successful delivery of therapeutics to the central nervous system (CNS). The transnasal route has been extensively explored, but success rates have been modest due to challenges related to the precise...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Chua, A. J., Di Francesco, V., D'Souza, A. et al. 2024. Murine model of minimally invasive nasal depot (MIND) technique for central nervous system delivery of blood–brain barrier-impermeant therapeutics. Lab Animal 53(12), 363–375.

Evidence of stable preferential affiliative relationships in the domestic pig

Affiliative relationships are well documented in a wide range of wild animals. However, there is limited evidence of their existence in social farm animals, despite potential significant animal welfare implications. We aimed to determine whether pigs have preferential partners for...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Clouard, C., Foreau, A., Goumon, S. et al. 2024. Evidence of stable preferential affiliative relationships in the domestic pig. Animal Behaviour 213, 95–105.