The psychological well-being of primates (1991)

Anonymous

Abstract

All our experience, presently being confirmed by the research of Dr. Eaton, tells us that the best we can give the monkeys to enrich their environment is not an artificial branch or plastic toy, but a friend , according to Dr. Kelley. ... Veterinarians at the primate centers also agree that the best inanimate enhancement are perches that resemble monkeys' natural arboreal environments. ... The problems with all these devices is that they are expensive to purchase (foraging boards cost $60 each) and to maintain (they require many hours to fill and clean). That is tough on an institution like ours, says Dr. Kelley, that has a large colony of animals. We could live with the expense if we were certain that these devices really improve the well-being of the animals. It seems, however, that after a short time the animals lose interest in foraging boards, and fleece boards, just as they lose interest in balls and toys.