Environmental Enrichment for Primates in Laboratories

Citation

Buchanan-Smith HM (2010) Environmental Enrichment for Primates in Laboratories. Advances in Science and Research, 5, pp. 41-56. https://doi.org/10.5194/asr-5-41-2010

Abstract
Environmental enrichment is a critical component of Refinement, one of the 3Rs underlying humane experimentation on animals. In this paper I discuss why primates housed in laboratories, which often have constraints of space and study protocols, are a special case for enrichment. I outline a framework for categorising the different types of enrichment, using the marmoset as a case study, and summarise the methods used to determine what animals want/prefer. I briefly review the arguments that enrichment does not negatively affect experimental outcomes. Finally I focus on complexity and novelty, choice and control, the underlying features of enrichment that makes it successful, and how combined with a thorough understanding of natural history we can put effective enrichment into practice in laboratories. Throughout the paper I emphasise the need to evaluate enrichment to ensure it is having the desired effect.

Keywords
; Primates Adaptation; Zoos

Journal
Advances in Science and Research: Volume 5

• Buchanan-Smith-2011-EnvironmentalEnrichmentforPrimatesinLabs.pdf