BU IACUC Approved January 28, 2014, Revised April 2018, Approved May 2018
Boston University is committed to observing Federal policies and regulations and AAALAC International standards for the humane care and use of animals.1 This policy provides guidelines for providing environmental enrichment (EE) for nonhuman primates. The details for the implementation of this policy can be found in the Nonhuman Primate Enrichment Plan.3
Humane considerations and current policies require that research animals, whenever possible, must have the opportunity to interact with conspecifics and to benefit from EE as a means to express natural behaviors. Nonhuman primates are intelligent, social animals and require species-specific socialization and handling techniques as part of their EE considerations. In addition, interactive objects, foraging opportunities, and toys should be provided as part of EE as long as they do not interfere with any ongoing research.
Purpose
To define environmental enrichment for nonhuman primates, including single or group housing and various ways to “facilitate the expression of species-typical behavior and promoting psychological well-being through physical exercise, manipulative activities or cognitive challenges.”1
To outline how exceptions to this policy should be considered by the IACUC or the veterinary staff.
Species-Specific Behaviors
With some variation among nonhuman primate species but include foraging, grooming, perching, climbing, brachiation, exploration of physical environment, vocal and visual interaction with conspecifics, and exploration of manipulanda and devices that present cognitive challenges.2
Policy
Pair or Group Housing
Compatible nonhuman primates of the same species will be pair- or group-housed if animal behavior, study design, cage space, and body weight allows. Animals found to not be compatible with cage mates may be moved to different individual or group housing arrangements as determined by the veterinarians.
Individual Housing
Nonhuman primates may, if scientifically justified in an approved IACUC protocol, be individually housed. Unless otherwise indicated in an approved protocol, individually housed nonhuman primates will be provided housing which allows visual, auditory and olfactory contact with other nonhuman primates.
Limiting or Excluding Enrichment
If a protocol exception for enrichment is to be included in an IACUC submission, the Principal Investigator (PI) is required to consult with veterinary staff during protocol development to discuss the special circumstances that might limit participation in the enrichment program.
The PI will need to include the requirement and scientific justification for the exception and specify the approximate duration of the requested exemptions from any EE strategies included in this policy or associated SOP. If no exemptions are approved within the protocol, then the BU Animal Science Center (BU ASC) policy and plans will be followed.
Once the protocol is approved, the PI must inform the BU ASC of the approved exceptions to this policy.
Restricted Social Housing
If a protocol exception for group or social housing is to be included in an IACUC submission, the PI is required to consult with veterinary staff during protocol development to discuss the special circumstances that might limit social contact or non-social housing.
The PI will need to include the requirement and scientific justification for restricted social housing or single housing in the IACUC protocol, specify the approximate duration of restricted social housing or single housing and/or the requested exemptions from any EE strategies included in this policy or associated SOP. If no exemptions are approved within the protocol, then BU Animal Science Center (BU ASC) policy and plans will be followed.
Once the protocol is approved, the PI must inform BU ASC, in writing, of the approved exceptions to this policy.
Medical or Compatibility Conditions
Certain medical or compatibility conditions may require that nonhuman primates be individually housed or that other elements of the enrichment program be modified. These determinations will be made by a veterinarian and documented in the animal’s record. Veterinary exemptions to this policy do not require IACUC approval but must be reviewed and evaluated every 30 days.
Extra Enrichment
Singly housed nonhuman primates are presumed to need more environmental enrichment than pair- or group-housed nonhuman primates and may be provided with extra cage enhancements unless exception to EE is justified in the IACUC approved protocol for scientific reasons.
Enrichment Devices
A. The physical environment of the primary housing enclosure for NHP is enriched by several means
Animals have daily interactions with animal husbandry staff, veterinary care staff, and other familiar and knowledgeable persons such as research staff. Properly trained staff are encouraged to socialize with NHPs in non-contact activities, in a manner consistent with personnel safety precautions.
Nonhuman primates enjoy using a variety of toys and foraging devices to express species normal behavior. Cage complexities will be made available to animals as a means to safe, species-typical activities, including the following:
Stainless steel perch
Mirrors
Foraging behavior opportunities include daily provision of varied fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts.
Manipulanda including hard plastic toys, metal triangles, task-oriented feeding puzzles, Kong toys, soft toys, destructible items such as glove boxes, etc. For some studies, the type of manipulanda provided may require review and discussion with investigative staff to avoid interference with research activities.
Swings may be provided in some cages.
Television/VCR, radio, and/or nature sounds are provided for animals.
B. Replacement of Devices
The ASC staff will be responsible for the administration of the enrichment program including replacement of devices that are heavily soiled, malfunctioning, or in poor working condition.
C. Edible Treats
If a PI has received approval in a protocol that the nonhuman primates on study will receive edible treats for enrichment, this is best given by the PI or research staff as part of the study. The administration of these edible treats should be clearly documented in the animal’s records.
References
The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. 2011. NRC ILAR. P. 52-55. Environmental Enrichment.
Laboratory Animal Medicine. 2015. Fox et al. Academic Press. P. 825-826.
Nonhuman Primate Enrichment Plan is available from the BU ASC.
BU IACUC Approved January 28, 2014, Revised April 2018, Approved May 2018