Maracas for Macaca? Evaluation of three potential enrichment objects in two species of zoo-housed macaques

Vick, S; Anderson, J; Young, R

Abstract

One group each of Barbary macaques and stump-tailed macaques, both zoo-housed, received hard replica fruits in three experimental conditions: as empty (“unresponsive”) objects, as maracas that rattled when manipulated (“simple responsive”), and as objects from which food items could be extracted (“foraging devices”). Both groups manipulated the replica fruits most when they functioned as foraging devices, and responsiveness tended to decrease within sessions in all conditions. Thus, objects that increased the animals' sense of control in addition to providing food rewards appeared particularly suitable as enrichment devices, although novelty and indirect behavioral effects point to the need for thorough evaluation of enrichment interventions.

Citation

Vick, S., Anderson, J., & Young, R. (2000). Maracas for Macaca? Evaluation of three potential enrichment objects in two species of zoo-housed macaques. Zoo Biology, 19(3), 181-191. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-2361%282000%2919%3A3%3C181%3A%3AAID-ZOO2%3E3.0.CO%3B2-W

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Sep 6, 2000
• Deposit Date: Jul 13, 2023
• Journal: Zoo Biology
• Print ISSN: 0733-3188
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 181-191
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-2361%282000%2919%3A3%3C181%3A%3AAID-ZOO2%3E3.0.CO%3B2-W