Socialization in pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina)

Area of Science:

• Primate behavior and welfare
• Animal socialization strategies
• Laboratory animal management

Background:

• Regulatory agencies emphasize socialization for laboratory primates.
• Behavioral management programs need effective socialization methods.
• Data on macaque compatibility and injury risk is crucial for safe introductions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify predictors of compatibility and injury risk in pigtailed macaque social introductions.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a behavioral introduction score (BIS) in assessing macaque social compatibility.
• To compare compatibility and injury rates between protected and full contact pairings.

Main Methods:

• Monitored 674 pairs of pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) over 7 years.
• Gradually increased tactile contact during pair introductions, assigning a daily behavioral introduction score (BIS).
• Assessed compatibility based on BIS and technologist judgment, progressing to continuous contact.

Main Results:

• 75% of pairs were compatible in protected contact; 98% of those transitioned to full contact remained compatible.
• Adult pairs, lower BIS, and aggression/injury during introduction predicted decreased compatibility.
• Aggression and negative BIS on day 1, and grooming on day 1, predicted injuries during introduction.

Conclusions:

• Species-specific data is essential for guiding primate social introductions.
• Protected contact introductions are safer, but injury rates increase significantly in full contact.
• Behavioral introduction scores and careful monitoring enhance the safety and efficiency of macaque socialization.