Nonhuman Primate Management Plan

Chapter 4: Translation of the Nonhuman primate Management Plan Into Action

Implementation of the Nonhuman Primate Management Plan will be accomplished via a three phase program. This implementation will predominantly be composed of a research and demonstration project at the NIH and at other research laboratories across the country.

A phase-in program will be based on the research program currently under the direction of Dr. Kathryn Bayne, OACU. Phase 1 will test enrichment methodologies and consider other findings to ensure they are not detrimental to the ongoing research effort. Phase 2 will examine their efficacy in a small number of laboratories which have volunteered to participate in this effort. Both Phases 1 & 2 will have a bias toward cost-effective enrichment techniques. Phase 3 will encompass the broad-scale implementation of a number of enrichment options that have passed through Phases 1 & 2 in a larger number of laboratories at NIH. The options from which the scientific and veterinary communities can choose will be based on research studies.

A rating scale of the behavioral indices used to evaluate the psychological state of a nonhuman primate has been developed. This rating scale is based on data from enrichment studies conducted at the NIH (Bayne et al., submitted).

The responsibility of the design of an enrichment program for each animal study proposal will rest with each investigator. The Veterinary Behaviorist, ICD-ACUC, ICD veterinarian, and facility manager can all assist to various degrees with the design and implementation of the enrichment plan. If an approved enrichment technique proves to be unsuccessful under some conditions of use, assistance will be available from the Veterinary Behaviorist and her staff. In addition, the Veterinary Behaviorist will maintain current files on the variety of enrichment methodologies that have been tested or proposed, thereby serving as an information source for the intramural community.

  1. Environmental Enrichment Alternatives

    Figures 1 and 2 depict option diagrams which are presented for use by the investigator, veterinarian or facility manager. They suggest a variety of alternatives for housing and managing the laboratory nonhuman primate and represent the first techniques that can be addressed in Phase 1 of the implementation program.

    The scope of techniques which produce the desired effect (Phases 1 & 2) of these enrichment alternatives, is not entirely known at this time. Two main categories of enrichment are presented. They are 1) social and 2) non- social strategies.

    Laboratories wishing to participate in the evaluation of these methodologies may pick and choose strategies of interest and most suitable for their animals and then coordinate an assessment of their safety and efficacy with Dr. Bayne.

    Some of the questions which will be addressed by the research program are the relative merits or effects of: 1) animal-animal contact, 2) human-animal contact and 3) enrichment devices on the nonhuman primate's behavioral repertoire.

    The risks/benefits of human-animal interaction will be examined at the NIH. A program of human/nonhuman primate interaction must address several points. First, should such a program utilize a single individual or is the animal's environment enhanced by interaction with several familiar individuals? Who should act in this role in each facility? How are safety and liability issues addressed? What form of security screen will be in place to ensure that the integrity of the building and the safety of the other personnel and animal population remain intact? Certainly commercial animal breeders (especially dog breeders for laboratory animal research purposes) have had a great deal of success with their socialization programs utilizing paid professionals. A similar program could be established at the NIH so that a trained individual could do continuous monitoring of the behavior and enrichment program of the NIH nonhuman primate population.

    Many of the nonhuman primates on active protocols already have a great deal of human contact. Research will address questions such as whether this type of contact improves the behavioral state of the animals involved; can this be documented; and should auxiliary contact by an individual(s) be provided outside of the experimental context?

    Other questions of interest include how frequently should human interaction with the nonhuman primate occur? Should it be provided on a daily basis or on a weekly basis? How long should each interactive period last? What form should this interaction take? Two methods that have been suggested include the provision of food treats and interactive devices. Since any form of interaction with the animals implies proximity between the animal and designated personnel, a program of screening for various diseases (e.g. for macaques; Herpes B; SAIDS; shigella; salmonella) may be indicated to protect the personnel at risk. Additionally, training of personnel regarding safety measures is strongly encouraged. Personnel should also participate in an Animal Exposure Surveilance Program.

  2. Training Program

    1. Who participates?

      1. Principal investigator
      2. Technicians
      3. Animal Care Personnel

    2. How?

      1. What format?

        video
        seminar

      2. How often?

        annual

      3. Who will conduct?

        Training Officer may select the faculty, as is currently being done with the investigators training course.

    3. Content/Goals

  3. Formation of Pairs/Groups of Nonhuman Primates

    1. Who identifies animals, monitors process? -- personnel issues

    2. Formation of a schedule or program by which social units are formed

    3. Where? -- facility and caging needs

    4. Identification of investigators interested in allowing their animals to pair/group housed

  4. Continuation of Research Program to Evaluate Enrichment Proposals in Plan

    1. Identification of investigators willing to do independent or collaborative work in this area

      1. Formulation of a working definition of "psychological well-being" based on data collected
      2. Testing of new or novel cage enrichment strategies

    2. Continuation of research program through the OACU.

  5. Formation of a Nationwide Network for Information Exchange

    1. Participants would include investigators, animal care providers, and veterinarians working with nonhuman primates

      1. Of particular interest and use to investigators working in the area of environmental enrichment for sharing evaluations of enrichment strategies

    2. Would require a "manager"-- personnel issues

    3. BITNET and Compuserve packages seem the most likely candidates at this time

  6. Incorporation of a Description of the Enrichment Methodologies Available to the Intramural Nonhuman Primates in the Animal Study Proposals and Semi-annual Reports



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