Environmental Enrichment

Assessment of efficacy of three types of foraging enrichment in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Rhesus macaques housed indoors in captivity commonly display abnormal behaviors that are rarely seen in their wild counterparts. These behaviors include stereotypic behaviors and self-abuse. These behaviors are often seen as signs of poor welfare, due to stressors in the...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Gottlieb, D. H., Tatum, L., Ghirardo, S. et al. 2009. Assessment of efficacy of three types of foraging enrichment in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 71(S1), 33. (32nd Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #13)

The Effects of Exposure to an Expanded Environmental Enrichment Program on Select Individual Behaviors in Baboons

In our laboratory, we had often discussed our desire to create an area in which our singly housed, adult male baboons could be released to exercise. The opportunity to do so arose when an environmental enrichment grant from the Center...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Relocation & Transport, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Goodwin, A. K., James, S. A., Lane, K. E. et al. 2009. The Effects of Exposure to an Expanded Environmental Enrichment Program on Select Individual Behaviors in Baboons. Laboratory Primate Newsletter 48(3), 1-7.

Wood as an enrichment device for primates

Our facility houses approximately 300 cynomolgus macaques. Providing stimulating environmental enrichment for them without unreasonably increasing staff time can be challenging. Our current enrichment program includes multiple toys, mirrors, forage trays, sound machines, music, videos, and a variety of fruits,...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Gallucci, P., Cliett, M. L., Stewart, A. 2009. Wood as an enrichment device for primates. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 14(2), 1-2.

Does simple feeding enrichment raise activity levels of captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta)

Feeding enrichment is a commonly proposed way to promote natural behavior, greater activity levels and improved health in captive primates, but in many cases the methods have not been formally tested, especially for particular groups such as lemurs. We investigated...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Lemur, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Dishman, D. L., Thomson, D. M., Karnovsky, N. J. 2009. Does simple feeding enrichment raise activity levels of captive ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 116, 88-95.

Transgenerational rescue of a genetic defect in long-term potentiation and memory formation by juvenile enrichment

The idea that qualities acquired from experience can be transmitted to future offspring has long been considered incompatible with current understanding of genetics. However, the recent documentation of non-Mendelian transgenerational inheritance makes such a Lamarckian -like phenomenon more plausible. Here,...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Arai, J. A., Li, S., Hartley, D. M. et al. 2009. Transgenerational rescue of a genetic defect in long-term potentiation and memory formation by juvenile enrichment. Journal of Neuroscience 29, 1496-1502.

Hose as an environmental enrichment toy for laboratory swine (Sus scrofa)

It was suggested that hoses are a suitable, safe addition to a swine enrichment program.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Allison, S. O., Pohle, K. M. 2009. Hose as an environmental enrichment toy for laboratory swine (Sus scrofa). American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 121 (Abstract).

Sensory stimulation as environmental enrichment for captive animals: A review

In the wild, animals are exposed to an ever-changing array of sensory stimuli. The captive environment, by contrast, is generally much more impoverished in terms of the sensory cues it offers the animals housed within. In a bid to remedy...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Wells, D. L. 2009. Sensory stimulation as environmental enrichment for captive animals: A review. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 118, 1-12.

Interactive enrichment housing for nonhuman primates

Environmental enrichment is commonly provided to diversify an animal's surroundings while maintained in captivity. Traditional enrichment approaches may not provide sufficient environmental complexity and cognitive stimulation. Consequently, housing was designed for laboratory nonhuman primates to enable choice and environmental control...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Camacho, J. N., Britz, W., Perlman, J. E. et al. 2010. Interactive enrichment housing for nonhuman primates. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 666 (Abstract #PS46).

Multidimensional cost-benefit analysis to guide evidence-based environmental enrichment: Providing bedding and foraging substrate to pen-housed monkeys

Refinement of animal care and housing is an important shared goal - and challenge - of the team of research, veterinary, and animal care personnel charged with ensuring the wellbeing of laboratory animals. This study addresses 2 issues central to...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Bennett, A. J., Corcoran, C. A., Hardy, V. A. et al. 2010. Multidimensional cost-benefit analysis to guide evidence-based environmental enrichment: Providing bedding and foraging substrate to pen-housed monkeys. JAALAS 49(5), 571-577.

Organic wheatgrass as environmental enrichment

Environmental enrichment must be provided for the various animal species that are housed in laboratory animal facilities. Wheatgrass can be used as a natural form of enrichment that requires minimal preparation and effort. Wheatgrass is appropriate enrichment for cats, rabbits,...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Bird, Cat, Chicken, Finch, Guinea Pig, Mouse, Other Bird, Parrot, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Brown, C. 2010. Organic wheatgrass as environmental enrichment. Lab Animal 39(3), 74-75.