Evaluation of a chimpanzee enrichment enclosure |
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| Authors: | L Brent D R Lee J W Eichberg |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Virology and Immunology, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, TX 78284. |
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| Abstract: | A large, three-part playground for captive chimpanzees was constructed and evaluated in terms of area use and behavior changes. Comparative behavioral samples were obtained on 38 subjects in the existing indoor-outdoor run and in the enclosure. The chimpanzees used the inside run, connective chute, concrete slab, and grass areas most. Activity and environmental manipulation increased in the enclosure while abnormal and self-directed behaviors decreased. |
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| Keywords: | area use environmental enrichment species-typical behavior well-being |
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