Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) group formation and housing: Wounding and reproduction in a specific pathogen free (SPF) colony (1999)

Westergaard, G. C., Izard, M. K., Drake, J. D. et al.

Abstract

Initially small groups were formed consisting of one male and up to eight females. Subsequently larger groups [about 3 males and 21 females] were formed by releasing group members simultaneously or incrementally. Wounding rates were higher among males than among females. ...When forming rhesus macaque breeding groups from partial groups and strangers, a staged group formation method leads to lower traumatic wounding rates [approximately 0.02/ first year] than does a rapid formation method [approximately 0.4/ first year] in which all individuals are put together at once. When forming new rhesus macaque breeding groups, divided corrals that provide for social and visual separation of individuals lead to lower rates of traumatic wounding than do undivided corrals.