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Effective Strategy for Evaluating Tactile Enrichment Devices for Singly Caged Macaques
Thomas R. Rice1, Holly Harvey, Roberta Kayheart
1The Coulston Foundation, 1300 La Velle Road, Alamogordo, NM 88310.
Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science
|June 28, 2002
Summary
A new scoring system for tactile devices helps smaller primate facilities create and document environmental enrichment. This strategy meets regulatory requirements for nonhuman primates with minimal budget and personnel.
Area of Science:
- Primate Welfare
- Animal Behavior
- Laboratory Animal Science
Background:
- The Animal Welfare Act mandates environmental enrichment for nonhuman primates.
- Larger facilities typically use dedicated staff for enrichment evaluation.
- Smaller programs face challenges in developing and documenting enrichment due to resource constraints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a simple, effective tactile device scoring system for singly caged macaques.
- To demonstrate that enrichment programs can be created and documented with limited resources.
- To assist programs in meeting regulatory requirements for environmental enrichment.
Main Methods:
- Development of a tactile device scoring system.
- Application of the system with singly caged macaques.
- Focus on ease of implementation for smaller facilities.
Main Results:
- The scoring system is simple and effective for evaluating tactile enrichment.
- Documentation of enrichment ideas is feasible without extensive personnel or budget.
- The system facilitates compliance with regulatory mandates.
Conclusions:
- A straightforward scoring system can significantly aid in developing and documenting primate enrichment.
- Resource limitations do not preclude effective environmental enrichment programs.
- This approach supports regulatory compliance for smaller research programs and facilities.