| 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.
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