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bioRxiv · 10.1101/341206

A Model Quantitative Assessment Tool for Nonhuman Primate Environmental Enrichment Plans

Dutton, M. B.·Pierre, P. J.·Bailoo, J.·Warkins, E.·Michel, G. F.·Bennett, A. J.
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Abstract

The housing and care of captive nonhuman primates (NHP) typically meets federal regulations and standards as well as guidelines by private accreditation organizations. There is, however, a gap between such policy, common practices, and the findings of a large empirical research literature on the effects of environmental enrichment (EE), particularly with respect to the degree to which different enrichment strategies lead to a demonstrable improvement of the animals psychological wellbeing. Assessment tools to guide decisions about selection and refinement of EE practices are largely missing and our companion paper offers a theoretically grounded qualitative approach to the categorization and assessment of sensory, motor, and cognitive (SMC) EE strategies. Here, we propose and illustrate a model for quantitative assessment of enrichment practices using a sample of research facility, zoo, and sanctuary NHP environmental enrichment plans (EEP). Our scoring technique provides a means for comparing the efficacy of different strategies across facilities and allows for the selection of priority areas for improvement. Overall, our assessment tool provides a framework that has several advantages. It is inherently flexible. It can be tailored to fit a range of species. It can readily be adapted to accommodate new evidence about a specific EE strategy, or new EE strategies, or both. Because a scientifically valid evidence-based framework drives priority, our method is readily adaptable to different types of facilities and is more likely to lead to longer-term benefits, both in terms of the enhancement of psychological wellbeing of captive NHP, and with respect to the judicious use of limited resources.\n\nAcronyms

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Dutton, M. B., Pierre, P. J., Bailoo, J., Warkins, E., Michel, G. F., Bennett, A. J.. 2018-06-08. A Model Quantitative Assessment Tool for Nonhuman Primate Environmental Enrichment Plans. https://doi.org/10.1101/341206

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