Environmental Enrichment

Group housing products for cats

Commercial caging systems for cats are described and recommendations made for cat-appropriate housing. By housing cats in groups and with appropriate enrichments, according to their physical and psychological needs, researchers can decrease the animal's stress and distress.

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Poe, E., Hope, K. 2000. Group housing products for cats. Lab Animal 29(4), 40-43.

Environmental enrichment for calves with artificial organs

In order to decrease the chance of a calf chewing power cables, catheters, or other monitoring equipment, their head is tethered to the front of the [portable, 4 x 6 x 4 ft] cage. .. In order to keep an...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Norton, K. C., Watach, M. J., Gordon, L. et al. 2000. Environmental enrichment for calves with artificial organs. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 88 (Abstract).

Housing environment and enrichment for laboratory rats – refinement and reduction outcome

Three kinds of aspen items were used for enrichment: gnawing blocks of two different sizes [1x1x5 cm; 6x6x6 cm with drilled holes] and rectangular tubes [20x12x12 cm, large enough to fulfill the natural tendency of rats for hiding]. The enrichment...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Mering, S. 2000. Housing environment and enrichment for laboratory rats - refinement and reduction outcome. Natural and Environmental Sciences - Kuopio UniversityPublications C 114, 1-60.

I’m forever blowing bubbles!

The chimpanzees are fascinated with the bubbles floating .... run around sticking out their tongues, much as a child collecting snowflakes, and attempting to catch them - a bit bewildered as it disappears.

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Fritz, J. 2000. I'm forever blowing bubbles! The Newsletter 11(3), 1-2.

Wooden objects for enrichment: A discussion

It seems that there is a general consensus that wooden objects provide inexpensive, safe, long-term and effective stimulation for the expression of non-injurious, species-typical behaviors such as perching, gnawing, gouging, manipulating and playing without causing health and hygienic problems.

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Eckert, K., Niemeyer, C., Anonymous et al. 2000. Wooden objects for enrichment: A discussion. Laboratory Primate Newsletter 39(3), 1-4.

Promoting the psychological well-being of restrained NHPs through an environmental enrichment program

In an effort to promote the psychological well-being of our NHPs, we developed an enrichment program [e.g., interaction with humans, positive reinforcement training, TV] to reduce stress during [chair-] restraint. .. Application of these enrichment techniques provide our restrained NHP's...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental Enrichment, RestraintAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate

Citation: McGuffey, L. H., McCully, C., Scanlon, L. 2000. Promoting the psychological well-being of restrained NHPs through an environmental enrichment program. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 39(4), 106 (Abstract).

Primate Enrichment: A room with a view

Pairs were transferred to a play room with windows every ten days. During the past year, we have observed that the primates spend about an hour of their time looking out the windows.

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Lynch, R., Baker, D. 2000. Primate Enrichment: A room with a view. Laboratory Primate Newsletter 39(1), 12.

A novel approach for documenting and evaluation of environmental enrichment programs

Eleven Aotus monkeys were videotaped using infrared sensitive cameras for a five-hour period on six nights. An ethological analysis software program was used to score the videotapes and to determine the frequency and duration of 17 activities. It was concluded...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Kondo, S., Yudko, E., Magee 2000. A novel approach for documenting and evaluation of environmental enrichment programs. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 39(4), 102 (Abstract).

Validation program for nonhuman primate enrichment devices ensures effective sanitation

A validation program was designed to assess the effectiveness of mechanical equipment or manual procedures and chemical disinfectants to sanitize a variety of enrichment devices. It was concluded that such a program can aid in prevention of disease transmission between...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Iliff, S. A., Ruffo, K. A., Anderson, L. C. 2000. Validation program for nonhuman primate enrichment devices ensures effective sanitation. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 39(4), 68 (Abstract).

Enrichment device use by baboons during long-term vs. intermittent availability

Four of the six baboons increased their [cherry] log use over the exposure period [104 days], while the remaining two baboons decreased their interactions with their logs over this period. ...When the logs were available only every other day, or...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Hienz, R. D., Pyle, D. A., Frey, J. J. et al. 2000. Enrichment device use by baboons during long-term vs. intermittent availability. Laboratory Primate Newsletter 39(2), 1-3.