Animal Care and Use Program
Policy
New World Nonhuman Primates Environmental Enhancement
Version 1.0
Date Effective: DRAFT
Research Integrity Office
IACUC@ohsu.edu
WestCampusiacuc@ohsu.edu
CWC office: 503.494.8408
WC office:503.690.5289
503.629.4139
Background
The physiological and psychological well-being of laboratory animals can be enhanced by allowing
them to express species specific behavior. This can be achieved by providing structural, social, and
environmental enhancements.
Scope
This policy applies to all new world nonhuman primates (NHP) populations housed at OHSU.
Policy
OHSU facilities must develop, document and follow an appropriate plan for environmental
enhancement to promote the psychological wellbeing of new world NHPs as defined in the
Procedures below unless contraindicated by research or clinical considerations and approved by the
IACUC
Procedure
I.
Manipulanda Objects will be supplied to new world NHP for environmental enrichment
purposes. These will provide something to investigate, climb or manipulate. The enrichment
items should be something interactive, non-harmful, easily sanitized, and/or disposable. Each
new world NHP cage will contain at least 3 enrichment items at all times. Examples include, but
are not limited to tree limbs, balls, mirrors and rope. All new objects must be approved by a
member of the research and veterinary staff. Objects may be provided on a rotating schedule. All
objects must be sanitized or disposed of between cage changes.
II. Structural Environment Each cage will contain at least one nesting box (if species uses it)
located at the top of cage to allow for a vertical flight path. Cages are designed to allow for
exploration or escape as appropriate for the individual species.
III. Nutritional Enrichment Supplemental foods such as meal worms, fruits, vegetable, etc. must be
used to stimulate foraging behaviors
IV. Social Environment - Social housing is considered the default method of housing unless
otherwise justified. New world NHP will be pair or group housed in a manner to allow for
expression of species-typical behavior. Cages should be placed to allow visual, auditory and
olfactory communication between conspecifics whenever possible. Human interaction should be
provided by the staff on a daily basis
V. Single Housing Animals – Single housing of social species is the exception. New world NHPs
may need to be individually housed because of incompatibility with other animals or for research
related purposes with IACUC approval. New world NHP that have or are suspected of having a
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contagious disease or other clinical concerns must be isolated from healthy animals. Single
housing of social animals is limited to the minimum period necessary single housing of new world
NHP should be reviewed on a regular basis by the IACUC, and every 30 days by the Attending
Veterinarian or his/her designee. Animals that show signs of psychological distress should be
immediately reported to the Veterinary staff for treatment
Authority Animal Welfare Act, Subpart D, Section 3.81. and Guide For The Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals, 8th edition, 2011.
References
A. Benefiel, Dong, and Greenough. 2005. Mandatory “Enriched” Housing of Laboratory Animals:
The Need for Evidence-Based Evaluation. ILAR Journal 46(2):95-105.
B. DCM-C SOP Nonhuman Primate Husbandry (Marmoset) pgs 59-62.
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