Animal Training

Species-adequate housing and handling conditions for Old World nonhuman primates kept in research institutions

Practical recommendations to address five basic characteristics of Old World primates in the laboratory setting: a) social disposition, b) semi-arboreal lifestyle, c) complex living environment, d) intelligence, e) sensitivity to distress.

Year Published: 1997Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Baboon, Macaque, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Reinhardt, V. 1997. Species-adequate housing and handling conditions for Old World nonhuman primates kept in research institutions. In: Comfortable Quarters for Laboratory Animals, Eighth Edition. Reinhardt, V. (ed), 85-93. Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC.

Refining the traditional housing and handling of laboratory rhesus macaques improves scientific methodology

A monkey housed in an empty cage, however, is literally a behavioral cripple because s/he is chronically deprived of appropriate stimuli for the expression of species-typical behavior patterns. It is difficult to know objectively if a monkey experiences boredom when...

Year Published: 1997Topics: Animal Training, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Reinhardt, V. 1997. Refining the traditional housing and handling of laboratory rhesus macaques improves scientific methodology. Primate Report 49, 93-112.

Developing a positive reinforcement program with primates at the Memphis Zoo

We consider positive reinforcement training to be another form of enrichment. If an institution is committed to providing the best possible care for their primates through positive reinforcement training, there are no issues or obstacles which cannot be overcome.

Year Published: 1997Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Philipp, C. 1997. Developing a positive reinforcement program with primates at the Memphis Zoo. American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) Regional Conference Proceedings, 102-105.

Training and remote monitoring of cardiovascular parameters in non-human primates

The use of "pre-invasive" implantable radio telemetry has revolutionized the collection of physiological data under stress-free conditions. It is now possible to measure accurately 'normal' baseline data of haemodynamic and electrical parameters in conscious and unrestrained monkeys. The use of...

Year Published: 1997Topics: Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, RestraintAnimal Type: Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Schnell, C. R., Gerber, P. 1997. Training and remote monitoring of cardiovascular parameters in non-human primates. Primate Report 49, 61-70.

Training rhesus macaques for the pole and collar system

I trained two [adult] male Rhesus over the past year with the pole and collar system and neither of them need the squeeze mechanism to hook their collar. One of them sits still and waits for me to hook his...

Year Published: 1998Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Cohen, J. 1998. Training rhesus macaques for the pole and collar system. Primate Enrichment Forum (PEF, March 9, 1998) .

Tomorrow’s animal management today – semen collection in gorillas using behavioral training

Three male gorillas were trained to provide semen samples and allow a physical examination. Training was based on a standard training method - food rewards and verbal praise.

Year Published: 1998Topics: Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Brown, C. S. 1998. Tomorrow's animal management today - semen collection in gorillas using behavioral training. American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) Regional Conference Proceedings, 416-418.

Husbandry and enrichment of cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) through operant conditioning

A general training technique is described.

Year Published: 1998Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Farmerie, M., Vacco, K. 1998. Husbandry and enrichment of cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) through operant conditioning. American Association of Zoo Keepers, Elephant Managers Association, Association of Zoological Horitculture (AAZK EMA AZH) Proceedings of the Joint Conference (Addendum), 64-73.

Turning a negative into a positive for cotton-top tamarins through operant conditioning

This paper describes our step by step training.

Year Published: 1998Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Farmerie, M. , Vacco, K. 1998. Turning a negative into a positive for cotton-top tamarins through operant conditioning. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Environmental Enrichment. Hare, V. J. , Worley, E. (eds), 401-411. The Shape of Enrichment, San Diego, CA.

Positive reinforcement training as an enrichment strategy

Principles of positive reinforcement training are clearly outlined and applications reviewed. Animals are reinforced with pleasurable rewards for the desired behavioural response. Operationally, this means that positive alternatives are exhausted before any kind of negative reinforcement is used. Punishment is...

Year Published: 1998Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Laule, G. E. , Desmond, T. 1998. Positive reinforcement training as an enrichment strategy. In: Second Nature - Environmental Enrichment for Captive Animals. Shepherdson, D. H., Mellen, J. D., Hutchins, M. (eds), 302-313. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC.

Operant conditioning as an enrichment strategy at the San Diego Zoo

It was during the training that we discovered that the operant conditioning [of the group-housed bonobos] was having an unexpected and profound effect; it was providing enrichment for the animals.

Year Published: 1998Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Kobert, M. G. 1998. Operant conditioning as an enrichment strategy at the San Diego Zoo. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Environmental Enrichment. Hare, V. J. , Worley, E. (eds), 230-236. The Shape of Enrichment, San Diego, CA.