Enrichment

SNPRC has an extensive environmental enrichment program. The goal of the program is to provide a better home for the monkeys and apes housed in our facilities. We also want to prevent or limit the occurrence of abnormal behaviors, which may result from the stress or boredom that sometimes occurs in a captive environment. We use enrichment devices to invite and encourage a wide range of species-typical behaviors that are found normally in primates living in the wild. Foraging, locomotion, and socializing are all examples of species-typical behaviors. A list and description of devices used can be found in our Enrichment Device Manual. SNPRC has developed an Environmental Enhancement Plan that codifies these principles.

Social enrichment

Almost all of the primates at SNPRC are housed in groups. They spend much of their time interacting socially, including grooming each other. This rich social environment is important for the well-being of all primates, and is particularly critical for developing infants.

For primates that are housed indoors for research, we pair as many individuals as possible. The primates can also see, hear, and sometimes touch other primates they are not directly housed with.

Structural enrichment

All the cages are equipped with some form of structural enrichment such as climbing structures, perches, or swings. Baboons, chimpanzees and other monkeys are very agile. They can jump great distances and walk along a rope or chain with ease. They also like to rest in areas above the ground, where they can get away from others in their group if they wish, or just get a better view of the surroundings.

We provide many additional types of structural enrichment, including hanging 55 gallon drums, perches made from PVC or metal pipes, rope and chain swings, and tire swings.

The baboon corrals have large culverts and climbing structures that also provide shade. The roofs of most chimpanzee housing areas are made of pipes so that the chimpanzees can brachiate from one area to another.

Feeding enrichment

We provide a stable, nutritionally complete diet to all primates and additional fruits and vegetables. Our feeding enrichment program also includes foods that are not available very often - such as seasonal fruits, pumpkins at Halloween, or frozen juice treats. Some foods are placed in special devices so that the animal has to spend some time extracting the food. For example, balls filled with grain and peanuts must be moved around or shaken so that the food pieces fall out of small holes drilled in the side. Working to acquire food in this manner is similar to foraging for food in the wild.

Feeding devices for chimpanzees include those that require the use of a tool. Our simulated termite mounds are filled with applesauce, oatmeal, spaghetti sauce, or other thick liquids. The chimpanzees use straws or sticks to poke down into the pipe and pull out a small amount of liquid at a time. This is a similar process that wild chimpanzees use to get termites or ants from their nests using twigs.

Sensory enrichment

Many of our enrichment items increase sensory stimuli - the favorite taste of peanut butter, the new smell of a toy or the feel of a kiwi fruit. Some are given specifically to elicit particular sensations. For example, mirrors can be attached to the wall so the animals can view their neighbors, radios are placed in indoor areas for extra auditory stimuli, and we have televisions in many indoor areas where chimpanzees and monkeys are housed. In addition to regular television shows, children’s videos and nature videos are provided.

 Manipulable enrichment

All primates are very good at manipulating their environment. They have opposable thumbs and are very strong and persistent. To give our primates items to manipulate, we provide a wide variety of toys and other objects.

Hard plastic balls are a favorite toy of most primates. They hold them, sit on them, carry them around and of course, chew on them. Other durable toys include hollow rubber toys, nylon dog bones, and metal rattles attached to the cage. We rotate toys from one animal to another and provide new toys regularly to keep interest high. Sometimes, items that can be destroyed are even more popular. For example, the chimps like to shred and make nests out of paper.