Welfare measures for laboratory chimpanzees in the United States (2018)

Bloomsmith, M. A., Lambeth, S., Lutz, C. et al.

Abstract

Behavioral assessment is an essential element of chimpanzee care. Behavioral data were compiled from four chimpanzee laboratory facilities (N = 522; 286 females, 236 males) using differing methods of assessment including quantitative data collection, animal records and observations by behavioral management staff. The subjects were 46.4% mother‐reared (MR), 46.9% non‐mother‐reared (NONMR), and 6.7% wild‐born (WB). Mean group size was 5.9, 100% had access to outdoor space all year, and 59.2% had daily access to natural substrate. Species‐typical behaviors were surveyed: 95.4% used tools to acquire food; 50% built nests; 94.4% initiated grooming; and 68% copulated. Forty‐two percent showed abnormal behavior; most commonly stereotypic rocking and coprophagy. Ninety‐seven percent generally voluntarily cooperate with requests to shift and 64.2% present for an injection. Chi‐square analyses (df = 2) revealed MR chimpanzees were more likely than NONMR to use tools (Chi‐square = 16.73, p < .001) and to initiate grooming (Chi‐square = 22.59, p < .001). WB were more likely to build nests than MR and MR more likely than NONMR (Chi‐square = 82.25, p < .001). MR and WB were more likely than NONMR to copulate (Chi‐square = 30.43, p < .001). MR were more likely than NONMR to display coprophagy (Chi‐square = 11.74, p =.003). This analysis will help guide future improvements in behavioral management to address existing behavioral problems or deficits.