Xenospecific enrichment at the Primate Research Institute (1990)

Struthers, E. J., Rodriguez, P., Cooper, P. et al.

Abstract

Nursery reared, single-housed and group-housed chimpanzees were exposed to a puppy after careful prior familiarization. ... The complete physical introduction [with single-caged subject] initially resulted in tugs-of-war over toys and blankets. The chimpanzee would alternately grimace, whimper-woo, or initiate play toward the dog. ... Play with the older [group-housed] infants can best be described as rough-and-tumble play. ... One unforeseen benefit from this liaison between the puppy and the older infants was the reduction in bites and scratches that younger infants had sustained from their more mature peers. When introduced to less than 6 months old, group-housed chimpanzees Ruff will generally lie on the floor and chew a toy. The infants crawl over him or curl up quietly in contact with him.