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Effects of freely accessible computerized test systems on the spontaneous behaviors and stress level of Guinea baboons ( Papio papio )
Author(s) -
Fagot Joël,
Gullstrand Julie,
Kemp Caralyn,
Defilles Céline,
Mekaouche Mourad
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.988
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1098-2345
pISSN - 0275-2565
DOI - 10.1002/ajp.22193
Subject(s) - primate , psychology , guinea pig , nonhuman primate , physiology , cognition , developmental psychology , neuroscience , biology , endocrinology , evolutionary biology
Fagot and Paleressompoulle [Fagot and Paleressompoulle (2009) Behav Res Methods 41: 396–404] described a new automated learning device for monkeys (ALDM) to test the cognitive functions of nonhuman primates within their social groups. However, the impact of the ALDM procedure on animal well‐being needs to be investigated. The present study assessed the consequences of ALDM testing on the behavioral repertoire of Guinea baboons ( Papio papio ) and their stress levels as inferred from measurements of saliva cortisol. Accessibility to ALDM test computers reduced the number of resting periods as well as the number of stereotypies. Lower cortisol levels were also found during ALDM testing. These findings and others demonstrate that ALDM testing has a positive impact on animal well‐being and can be considered as a means for behavioral enrichment in captive primates. Am. J. Primatol. 76:56–64, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.