Environmental Enrichment

Increased produce enrichment reduces alopecia in captive outdoor socially-housed rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Alopecia is relatively rare in wild primates but more frequent in captive settings. We investigate whether increasing the quantity and variety of produce enrichment reduces alopecia. Alopecia was scored bimonthly from September 2011 through mid-November 2012 for eight social groups...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Hannibal, D., Cassidy, L., Day, A. et al. 2013. Increased produce enrichment reduces alopecia in captive outdoor socially-housed rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 75(S1), 92. (36th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #195)

Play caging benefits the behavior of singly housed laboratory rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

This study addresses a recommendation in The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals to provide singly housed nonhuman primates with intermittent access to large, enriched (play) caging. Research on the potential benefits of this type of caging...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Griffis, C. M., Martin, A. L., Perlman, J. et al. 2013. Play caging benefits the behavior of singly housed laboratory rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). JAALAS 52(5), 534-540.

The relationship between environmental enrichment, temperament, and stereotypy in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Stereotypic behaviors are common in captive primate colonies, and it would be beneficial to know effective methods of remediation, and which animals are most likely to express the behavior. The first goal of this research was to determine the relationship...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Gottlieb, D. H., Maier, A., Coleman, K. 2013. The relationship between environmental enrichment, temperament, and stereotypy in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 75(S1), 91. (36th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #193)

Enrichment for laboratory zebrafish (Danio rerio)

This article discusses how behavioral management, enrichment structures, diet, and light cycle can be used to help improve the welfare of zebrafish.

Year Published: 2014Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Collymore, C., Lawrence, C., Lieggi, C. 2014. Enrichment for laboratory zebrafish (Danio rerio). Laboratory Animal Science Professional 2(3) (September), 51-54.

The effects of music on animal physiology, behavior and welfare

Physiological and psychological effects of listening to music have been documented in humans. The changes in physiology, cognition and brain chemistry and morphology induced by music have been studied in animal models, providing evidence that music may affect animals similarly...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General, Baboon, Bird, Capuchin, Cattle, Chicken, Chimpanzee, Fish, Fowl, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Fish, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rat, Rodent, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Alworth, L. C., Buerkle, S. C. 2013. The effects of music on animal physiology, behavior and welfare. Lab Animal 42(2), 54-61.

Novel enrichment item for non-human primates

Wheat grass kits are available from multiple sources (e.g. wheatgrasskits.com) and usually come with enough seeds and other materials to grow 5 flats. The instructions are very simple and the grass grows quickly, only taking about a week to reach...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Shuster, K. 2013. Novel enrichment item for non-human primates. Enrichment Record 16, 24.

Compassion Makes a Difference – Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum [LAREF], Volume III

This is the third volume of discussions that took place on the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum (LAREF). This forum is dedicated to the exchange of personal experiences of refining the conditions under which animals are housed and handled...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Animal Training, Drug/Substance Administration, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Amphibian, Baboon, Cat, Chimpanzee, Dog, Fish, Frog & Toad, Goat, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Reptile, Rodent, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey), Zebrafish

Citation: Reinhardt, V. (ed.) 2013. Compassion Makes a Difference - Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum [LAREF], Volume III. Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC.

Environmental enrichment – what works best and do animals need it?

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Phillips, S., Miller, P., Rudling, B. et al. 2013. Environmental enrichment - what works best and do animals need it? Animal Technology and Welfare 11, 49-51.

Colony-wide assessment of the foraging devices: Refinement of delivery practices, cost and the caloric content delivered via foraging devices

Foraging opportunities are a key component of enrichment in captive nonhuman primates (NHP) providing manipulative opportunities in which animals can engage in species-typical behaviors. Recent studies suggest captive NHP populations have increased body weight over time leading to negative health...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Pierre, P. J., Torres, N. A., Rosga, M. D. et al. 2013. Colony-wide assessment of the foraging devices: Refinement of delivery practices, cost and the caloric content delivered via foraging devices. American Journal of Primatology 75(S1), 82. (36th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #163)

The role and responsibilities of the enrichment coordinator

The challenges with being an Enrichment Coordinator can be as variable as your roles and responsibilities. But the rewards are just as great. As an Enrichment Coordinator, I am able to be part of bettering the research community. I support...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Neeb, K. 2013. The role and responsibilities of the enrichment coordinator. Enrichment Record 15, 17-20.