The rehabilitation of captive baboons (2001)

Kessel, A. L., Brent, L.

Abstract

Eleven baboons who had been singly housed indoors for an average of 5 years were moved to outdoor social groups [two heterosexual trios, one male trio, one female/male pair] in an attempt to provide a more species-typical environment and reduce high levels of abnormal behavior. [Subjects were anesthetized and woke up in their new group settings]. ...There was no severe aggression and no wounds that required medical treatment. ... Abnormal behavior decreased significantly from an average of 14% of the observation time in the single cages to 3% in the sixth month of social housing. Cage manipulation and self-directed behaviors also significantly decreased, while social behavior, enrichment-directed behavior, and locomotion increased in social housing. Baboons that had been in long-term indoor single housing were able to reproduce and form stable social groups without injury. This study provides evidence that even behaviorally disturbed nonhuman primates can be successfully rehabilitated to live in social groups.... The two incidences of wounding, which were superficial, both occurred in the group fo three males. ...There was also a significant increase in enrichment use when the baboons were moved into social groups.