Date: Mon, 19 Apr 93 12:12:27 -0500 From: Larry Jacobsen Subject: IPS INT'L GUIDELINES SOURCE: PRIMATE REPORT 35, January, 1993. For information on how to acquire copies of Primate Report, contact Dr. Michael Schwibbe, Editor, German Primate Center, mlankei@gwdg.de IPS INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR THE ACQUISITION, CARE AND BREEDING OF NONHUMAN PRIMATES: CODES OF PRACTICE 1-3 [NOTE: The WRPRC is reprinting these important IPS Guidelines on Primate-Talk in serial form. This is the first of three parts. L. Jacobsen, jacobsen@primate.wisc.edu.] CODES OF PRACTICE 1-3 CONTENTS Members of the IPS Captive Care and Breeding Committee 1988-92 Preface Code of Practice: 1 Housing and Environmental Enrichment Aim Physical environment Enriching the environment Social grouping Rearing young primates Assessment of welfare Summary References Code of Practice 2: Levels of Training for Care Giving Staff Aim Introduction Expertise required for different levels of responsibility Code of Practice 3: Health Carer Primates in source countries Primates in importing countries Health care of staff working with non-human primates MEMBERS OF THE IPS CAPTIVE CARE AND BREEDING COMMITTEE 1988-92 Dr Trevor B Poole (Chairman) Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, Herts, UK Dr Hilary O Box Department of Psychology University of Reading, UK Dr Herman Dienske Primate Centre TNO Lange Kleiweg 151, Rijkswijk The Netherlands Mr Paul Houghton Primate Products Woodside, CA, USA Mr Jeremy R Nazareno SICONBREC Manila, The Philippines Dr Julio Ruiz Centro Argentino de Primates CAPRIM, Casilla de Correo 145 3400 Corrientes Argentina Dr Mbaruk Suleman Institute of Primate Research National Museums of Kenya Nairobi, Kenya Dr Benjamin Blood, deceased Dr Thomas L Wolfle Institute of Laboratory Animal Resources, National Research Council. Washington DC, USA Dr Charles L Darsono Jakarta 1 1001 Indonesia Dr Robert Eley Institute of Primate Research National Museums of Kenya Box 24481 Karen, Nairobi, Kenya Dr William A Mason Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA Dr Harry Rowsell Canadian Council on Animal Carc 1000-151 Slater Street Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5H3, Canada Dr Maria Serron-Ferre Laboratorio de Endocrinologica Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas Universidad Catolica de Chile, Casilla 114-D Santiago, Chile Dr Osamu Takenaka Kyoto University Primate Research Institute, Aichi Pref, Japan PREFACE These Codes of Practice have been prepared to supplement the IPS INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR THE ACQUISITION, CARE AND BREEDING OF NON-HUMAN PRIMATES (Primate Report 25: pp 1-27) which outline the general principles to be observed in order to ensure good practice and facilitate the well-being of captive primates. Codes of Practice 1-3 give more detailed information as to how the guidelines can be applied to non-human primates in laboratories, breeding or holding units. While the codes of practice are intended to supplement the Guidelines, they may also be used independently. Adherence to the Guidelines and Codes of Practice will not only encourage efficiency in the care giving staff, but will also improve the welfare of the animals and thus raise the quality of science based on them. The Committee is grateful to those who prepared the documents and to the experts whose advice was incorporated in the final drafts. IPS may publish further Codes of Practice, where the need arises. The present publication covers subjects which the Captive Care and Breeding Committee regards as the most important. _____________________________________________________________ IPS Code of Practice: 1 HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT AIM The aim of this code of practice is to specify in detail the requirements for housing and careand the criteria for ensuring that the welfare and behavioural needs of non-human primates. The principle underlying this code is that captive primates should be provided with psychological well-being. This implies that they have the freedom to express most normal behaviour patterns (WEBSTER, 1984); primates, in particular, require stimulation and display a complex behavioural repertoire (MARKOWITZ & SPINELLI. 1986; WEMELSFELDER. 1984). PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Primates are adapted to a natural habitat where survival depends upon a complex behavioural repertoire, the use of intelligence and constant vigilance. The greater the departure of the captive environment from the natural situation, the more critical each attribute of the enclosure becomes in terms of meeting the animal's needs. Physical factors of significance in housing primates are size of enclosure, construction materials, its complexity and methods of maintaining hygiene. It is not necessarily true that the larger the enclosure the better this will be for the animal. Size of enclosure is only of significance in terms of usable space and complexity within it (eg a large room with bare walls provides only a floor as usable space); thus the quantity of space provided is less important than its quality (see IZARD, 1991; LINE et al, 1991). It is preferable to select the smallest suitable species of primate for study because it is less expensive to provide greater space and cheaper to replace damaged cage furnishings. For primates, space is three dimensional and should allow the individual to display its normal repertoire of locomotor behaviour, namely, to walk, climb, jump and run. In an open situation, such as a compound, climbing frames or trees are recommended, or, in a cage, vertical climbing surfaces and perches. Common primates used in the laboratory have a vertical flight response when alarmed by a terrestrial predator. Thus the vertical dimension of the cage is of importance and cages where the monkey is able to perch above human eye level are recommended (HARRIS, 1988). Where it is necessary for the monkey to be confined in a restricted space and housed singly for a week or more, the provision of a large complex area with regular, but limited access together with compatible companions, is recommended (see JAECKEL, 1989). Ideally, monkeys should be kept in large cages or compounds where a complex social and physical environment can be provided. That this can be practicable, even in the laboratory, has been shown by SNOWDON (1991) and IZARD (1991). In large enclosures, to facilitate handling and manipulation, the animals can be trained to enter a smaller enclosure or cage by the use of suitable rewards (positive reinforcement) similarly, they can be trained to put out an arm or stand still to accept injections. In many cases monkeys are kept in small metal cages, onthe grounds of economy of space and the fact that the cage can be put into an automatic cagewasher and steriliser. Recent experience has shown that such over-cleaning is not necessary and that the animals benefit when cages are custom built to extend from floor to ceiling thus taking maximum advantage of the space available in the room. Free standing wooden cages on a concrete base are very economical to build, compared with commercially purchased metal ones and dividers or smaller compartments can be installed to facilitate handling (BURT & PLANT, 1990). In most laboratories primates are kept indoors within a restricted range of temperature and humidity. Where outdoor facilities are provided there will be a degree of climatic variability, this can be beneficial, providing that tropical species in cold climates have access to a warm indoor area and shade is provided in hot climates. There is a danger that legislation specifying narrow temperature ranges may make it illegal to keep an animal at a temperature which it would commonly experience in the wild, for example, golden lion tamarins in their natural habitat in Brazil experience temperatures as low as 4xC, but in a European laboratory the minimum at which they can legally be kept is 24xC. It must be appreciated, however, that the extremes of temperature which the animals experience in the wild may prove hazardous in captivity if they are incapable of behavioural or physiological temperature regulation. While hygiene is of paramount importance, this should not be at the expense of providing environmental complexity and stimulation. The experience of zoos has shown that animals whose behavioural needs have been met in 'soft environments' are no more likely to succumb to disease than animals in traditional tiled and concrete floored enclosures which were washed and disinfected daily. The primate should be provided with a 'soft' environment which is not necessarily less hygienic than the traditional metal cage. A woodchip substrate is actually bactericidal so that the provision of natural materials for primates should not lead to reduction in standards of hygiene (CHAMOVE et al., 1982). The environment of the more primitive primates, such as prosimians, owl monkeys and callitrichids, which scent mark their cages should not be over cleaned as this will remove their chemical signals and is likely to create an unfamiliar and possibly more stressful environment. ENRICHING THE ENVIRONMENT Behavioural priorities One of the aims of these guidelines is to provide opportunities for primates to express most normal behaviour pattems. However, all behaviours are not of equal significancc to the animal and the opportunities to carry out certain types to behaviour are of particular benefit. The most important of which are: 1. Opportunities for increased foraging (CHAMOVE et al., 1982) 2. Physical contact with conspecifics (HARRIS, 1988) 3. Novelty and variety, for example, complex devices which can be manipulated and objects which are destructible can also play a part in the relief of boredom and help to keep the primate active and alert (see BEAVER, 1989). Some practical techniques Two forms of change can be incorporated into the captive situation: unpredictable environmental changes which can elicit an adaptive response from the animal Foraging time can be increased by providing some of the animal's food in such a way as to make its delivery or discovery unpredictable eg food can be concealed in the substrate or scattered about the enclosure. This also has the advantage that it increases usable space in the cage by encouraging the animals to use the floor. Artificial turf can provide a useful, readily cleaned substrate for foraging (BAYNE et al., 1992). For the small, more insectivorous mammals, zoos have found that cricket or mealworm dispensers can be provided (ie a hollow log with holes in it from which the crickets emerge spontaneously or a corked plastic tube with holes in it containing fine sawdust and mealworms (see SHEPHERDSON, 1989); there is no reason why a similar technique should not be used in laboratories, where experimental protocols permit. Electronic devices which dispense food, either randomly or on demand, can also be used where long term housing is contemplated for socially deprived or closely confined animals (MARKOWITZ and SPINELLI, 1986). The use of mobile artifacts can provide unpredictable erivironmental enrichment. A simple swing is always valuable and most primates will incorporate it into play sessions, it encourages jumping and balancing and, when more than one individual uses it, the position of the swing in space becomes difficult to predict. a facility for the animal itself to generate changes Through the provision of destructible materials. Natural materials such as logs and branches are often provided and can occupy the animal for long periods of time. However artifacts such as cardboard boxes, telephone directories, milk crates and heavy duty plastic buckets have also proved effective (O'NEILL, 1989); care must be taken to ensure that such artifacts do not contain toxic or hazardous materials and that boxes are not stapled. Extra labour will be involved in cage cleaning but this must be balanced against the gain in well-being of the primates. Barrels, balls, baskets, simple puzzles and other toys have been used but their effectiveness seems to depend on their novelty. To overcome the problem of habituation, toys should be changed regularly. Primates are likely to habituate less rapidly to more complex artifacts which offer a range of possible manipulations. Electronic toys and games can also be effective (LINE et al., 1990). The kind of manipulation which is appropriate will also depend on the species of primate in question. SOCIAL GROUPING Unless absolutely essential, primates should not be housed alone in a cage on a long term basis (more than 30 days). Even for quarantine there are advantages in housing primates in compatible pairs. The type of social grouping in the wild can be used as a guide when creating a captive group with respect to reproductive strategy (ie monogamous, harems, promiscuous or multimale/multifemale) and kinship ties (ie family group, female bonded or male bonded group). JOHNSON et al. (1991) have shown that reproductive success may be increased in tamarins by creating natural social groupings. A captive group of compatible individuals may not resemble the wild social structure, as laboratory animals are usually unrelated and often a female-biased sex ratio has to be maintained, to avoid fighting between males. Captive breeding groups of macaques are usually harems, with one male and several females, because aggression between males in the more natural multimale/multifemale group can cause serious problems in a restricted space. These problems however can be overcome by designing an enclosure in such a way that animals cannot be cornered or blocked from food by dominant members of the group. In providing a satisfactory social environment in captivity, individuals must be able to avoid aggressors, so that several food and drinking sources should be available to prevcnt one animal from monopolizing it (a situation which led to a court action in the UK). In creating a captive social group, the main considerations should be that the animals show positive social interactions and a minimum of overt aggression. A useful indicator of good group compatibility, for younger animals, is the incidence of social play, because this is behaviour which only occurs in a relaxed situation (FAGEN, 1981). A compatible conspecific probably provides more appropriate stimulation to a captive primate than any other potential environmental enrichment factor. The presence of a conspecific enables the primate to utilise its repertoire of social behaviour which can occupy as much as 55% of the daytime activity budget in captivity (HARRIS 1988). Increased space does not necessarily lead to a reduction in aggression and in situations where group behaviour is controlled by a dominant individual, the opportunity to be out of sight of the controlling monkey may lead to more, not less aggression (ERWIN 1986). When attempting to create compatible groups, the individuals' reactions towards one another should always be carefully monitored before placing them in physical contact if fighting is to be avoided (see REINHARDT et al., 1988). Where the experimental protocol makes it difficult to provide the animals with a sufficiently rich social environment, friendly relations with human caretakers can provide a valuable substitute. Even a few minutes a day spent stroking a monkey and allowing it to groom oneself will make a significant difference to the quality of its life. For the single housed primate, environmental enrichment is particularly important to reduce abnormal behaviours (BAYNE et al., 1992). Wherever it is practicable, it is worthwhile training primates to collaborate in carrying out particular tasks. This not only provides variation and gives the monkey some control over its environment but it also may be of great value if the animal has to be given medical treatment, weighed or moved from one place to another (see HEATH, 1989). Trained primates are of particular value in long-term studies, where monkey and experimenter may spend many years working together (JAECKEL, 1989; MATSUZAWA, 1989; Biological COUNCIL, 1992). Rearing young primates To ensure normal development, a social environment should be provided which is suitable for the rearing of offspring. Primiparous females should have had experience of observing other females caring for their infants and, in some species, for helping in their rearing. Otherwise, when faced with an infant of their own, they may be neglectful or infanticidal (GARDTN et al., 1989). The young monkey should not normally be separated from its mother at an early age (ie at 3-6 months) but should remain in contact for one year to 18 months, in most species. There is unlikely to be any greater productivity through early weaning, in seasonally breeding species, such as rhesus monkeys. Even in non-seasonal breeders, any slight increase in productivity must be offset against the resulting behavioural abnormalities of the offspring (GOOSEN 1989). It goes without saying that most biomedical research workers require normal, healthy subjects for their experiments. Young primates should be reared with an appropriate social background, individuals who are weaned early or socially isolated are usually less adaptable and show higher levels of abnormal stereotyped behaviour (GOOSEN, 1989). They may also show deficiencies in social behaviour and abnormalities may even extend to the endocrine and immune systems (REITE, 1987). ASSESSMENT OF WELFARE The behaviour of captive primates should be monitored at regular intervals to determine their well-being. Indicators of poor welfare are: 1. A restricted repertoire of behaviour in comparison with the wild. Any method of increasing the range of behaviours (apart from those associated with highly stressful situations) represents an improvement for the animals. 2. An abnormal activity budget; the individual may be underactive and not make full use of the environment, it may not interact with conspecifics and show little curiosity towards novel objects. Alternatively the animal may be hyperactive and over react to minimal stimuli. 3. Inadequate social behaviour, for example, primates may be hyperaggressive. fail to mate, prove infanticidal or neglectful of their young. 4. Abnormal behaviours such as stereotypies, self directed social behaviour, juvenile behaviour, learned helplessness or self mutilation (see ERWIN and DENI, 1979; POOLE, 1988). There are considerable differences between species (CLARKE et al., 1988) and even individuals in the ways in which primates react to captivity (HARRIS, 1988), so that it is important that each animal should be regularly monitored to ensure that its needs are being fully met. SUMMARY The captive environment should incorporate sufficient usable space and environmental complexity to allow primates to show a wide repertoire of behaviour appropriate for the species. The provision of compatible companions greatly extends the range of activities possible for the individual. Monkeys should, unless there are compelling reasons for not doing so, be housed socially. Where single caging is unavoidable, the primates' environment can be improved by environmental enrichment to encourage a varied daily time budget, exercise, both physical and mental, and the development of motor skills. Assessing environmental quality can best be achieved by monitoring behaviour to identify indications of poor welfare. Where possible, behaviour in captivity should be related to the species' natural repertoire and time budget. Where behaviour is indicative of poor welfare, appropriate improvements to the environment should be made and the individual's behaviour regularly re-assessed to ensure that any improvements are not ephemeral. Finally, while non-human primates should be provided with a stable home environment, there should be sufficient variability, in the form of temporally or spatially unpredictable events, to provide adequate levels of stimulation, the animal should also be able to exert some control over its environment. REFERENCES BAYNE K, DEXTER S, MAINZER H, MCCULLY C, CAMPBELL G, YAMADA F 1992 The use of artificial turf as a foraging substrate for individually housed rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Animal Welfare 1: 39-53. BAYNE K, MAINZER H, DEXTER S, CAMPBELL G, YAMADA F, SUOMI S 1991 The reduction of abnormal behaviours in individually housed rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with a foraging/grooming board. American Journal of Primatology 23: 23-31. BEAVER D B 1989 Environmental enrichment for laboratory animals. ILAR News 31, 2. BIOLOGICAL COUNCIL 1992 Guidelines on the Handling and Training of Llboratory Animals. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare: Potters Bar. BURT D A, PLANT M 1990 Observations on a caging system for housing stump tailed macaques. Animal Technology 41: 175- 179. CHAMOVE S, ANDERSON J R, MORGAN-JONES S C, JONES S P 1982 Deep woodchip litter: Hygiene, feeding and behavioural enhancement in eight primate species. International Journal Study Animal Problems 3: 308-318. CLARKE A S, MASON W Z, MOBERG G P 1988 Differential behavioural and adrenocortical responses to stress among three macaque species. American Journal of Primatology 14: 37-52. ERWIN J 1986 Environments for captive propagation of primates: interaction of social and physical factors. In W K BENIRSCKE (ed.) Primates the road to self sustaining populations, pp 297-305. Springer-Verlag: New York. ERWIN J, DENI R 1979 Strangers in a strange land: abnormal behaviours or abnormal environment? In: J ERWIN, T L MAPLE, G MITCHELL (eds.) Captivity and behaviour: primates in breeding colonies, laboratories and zoos. Van Nostrand Reinhold: New York. FAGEN R 1981 Animal Play Behaviour. Oxford University Press: London. GARDIN J F, JEROME C P, JAYO M J, WEAVER D S 1989 Maternal factors affecting reproduction in a breeding colony of cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Laboratory Animal Science 39: 205-212. GOOSEN C 1989 Influence of age of weaning on the behaviour and well-being of rhesus monkeys. UFAW Symposium: Laboratory Animal Welfare Research - Primates, pp 17-22. HARRIS D 1988 Welfare and Housing of Laboratory Primates. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare: Potters Bar. HEATH M 1989 The training of cynomolgus monkeys and how the human/animal relationship improves with environmental and mental enrichment. Animal Technology 40: 11-22. IZARD M K 1991 Efforts to promote psychological well-being in prosimian primates at the Duke University Primate Research Center in M A NOVAK & A J PETTO (eds.) Through the Looking Glass - Issues of Psychological Well-being in Captive Non-human Primates. pp 137- 148 American Psychological Association: Washington DC. JAECKEL J The benefits of training rhesus monkeys living under laboratory conditions. UFAW-1989 symposium: Laboratory Animal Welfare Research - Primates. pp 23-25. JOHNSON L D, PETTO A J, SEHGAL P K 1991 Survival and reproduction as measures of psychological well-being in cotton-top tamarins in M A NOVAK & A J PETTO (eds.) Through the Looking Glass - Issues of Psychological Well-being in Captive Non-human Primates. American Psychological Association: Washington DC. LINE S W, CLARKE A S, MARKOWITZ H, ELLMAN G 1990 Responses of female macaques to an environmental enrichment apparatus. Laboratory Animals 24: 213-220. LINE S W, MARKOWITZ H, MORGAN K N, STRONG S 1991 Effects of cage size and environmental enrichment on behavioural and physiological responses of rhesus monkeys to the stress of daily events. In M A NOVAK & A J PETTO (eds.) Through the Looking Glass - Issues of Psychological Well-being in Captive Non-human Primates. pp 160-179. American Psychological Association: Washington D C. MARKOWITZ H, SPINELLI J S 1986 Environmental engineering for primates. In K BENIRSCKE (ed.) Primates: the road to self-sustaining populations. pp 489-498 Springer-Verlag: New York MATSUZAWA T 1989 Spontaneous pattern construction in a chimpanzee in P Heltne and L MARQUARDT (eds.) Understanding Chimpanzees. pp 252-265 Harvard University Press: Cambridge, Mass. O'NEILL P 1989 room with a view for captive primates: issues, goals, related research and strategies. In E F SEGAL (ed.) Housing, Care and Psychological Well-being of Captive and Laboratory Primates, pp 135-160. Noyes Publications: Park Ridge, New Jersey. POOLE T B 1988 Normal and abnormal behaviour in captive primates. Primate Report 22: 3-12. REINHARDT V, HAUSER D, EISELE S, COWLEY D, VERTEIN R 1988 Behavioural responses to unrelated rhesus monkey females paired for the purpose of environmental enrichment. American Journal of Primatology 14: 135-]40. REITE M 1987 Infant abuse and neglect: lessons from the primate laboratory. Child Abuse and Neglect 11: 347-355. SHEPHERDSON D 1989 Environmental enrichment in zoos: 2. Ratel 16: 68-73. SNOWDON CT 1991 Naturalistic environments and psychological well-being in MA NOVAK & A J PETTO (eds.) Through the Looking Glass - Issues of Psychological Wcll-being in Captive Non-human Primates. pp 103-115. American Psychological Association: Washington D C. WEBSTER A F 1984 Calf Husbandry, health and welfare. Collins: London. WEMELSFELDER F 1984 Animal boredom: is a scientific study of the subjective experiences of animals possible? Advances in Animal Wellare Science 1984/5. Humane Society of the United States. _____________________________________________________________ End of Code of Practice: 1 SOURCE: PRIMATE REPORT 35, January, 1993. For information on how to acquire copies of Primate Report, contact Dr. Michael Schwibbe, Editor, German Primate Center, mlankei@gwdg.de IPS INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR THE ACQUISITION, CARE AND BREEDING OF NONHUMAN PRIMATES: CODES OF PRACTICE 1-3 [NOTE: The WRPRC is reprinting these important IPS Guidelines on Primate-Talk in serial form. This is the second of three parts. L. Jacobsen, jacobsen@primate.wisc.edu.] _____________________________________________________________ IPS Code of Practice: 2 LEVELS OF TRAINING FOR CARE GIVING STAFF AIM The aim of this code of practice is to indicate the desirable levels of expertise which should be expected from staff responsible for the day to day care of non-human primates in the laboratory or breeding unit. INTRODUCTION These guidelines are intended to be applied internationally. In some countries there may be greater opportunities for training than in others but it is clearly impracticable to outline or recommend syllabuses or particular training courses. Where such courses are available, IPS encourages employers to offer opportunities for staff to attend them for the appropriate period or on a day release basis. The usual method of training in most countries, however, will be in-house by more experienced staff. EXPERTISE REQUIRED FOR DIFFERENT LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY The grades of knowledge will be specified from the most basic level to the most senior. Staff at each level must be familiar with all the knowledge required at lower grades. Grade 1 Animal Technician Food: appropriate diets for the animals optimum storage conditions, shelf life and control of vermin different methods of feeding (eg hoppers, dispensers, foraging) preparation of diets under hygienic conditions frequency of feeding and quantities of food required at different ages and reproductive states, such as pregancy and lactation provision of any dietary supplements (eg Vitamin for callitrichid monkeys) and method of delivery Water: familiarity with sources of drinking water the need for animals to have access to a constant supply of clean water maintenance and sanitation of water bottles or automatic waterers Physical environment: optimum and range of conditions appropriate for the species appropriate conditions of temperature and humidity familiarity with and ability to operate controls changing air filters (where fitted) checking and maintaining escape proof barriers regular checking and, where necessary, cleaning of trapped drains Hygiene: understanding the needs of hygiene and likely results of inadequate cleaning the need to wear appropriate clothing and protective accessories maintaining personal hygiene knowledge of frequency of cleaning routine different methods of cleaning/disinfection/sterilisation appropriate disinfectants and concentrations to be used types of bedding and how often they should be replaced identification of common vermin and control techniques waste disposal methods which are hygienic and do not pollute the environment correct storage of consumables, drugs and disinfectants Health: ability to recognise normal and abnormal behaviours and report changes recognition of pain and distress the detection of early signs of ill health in the animals contact procedure to obtain veterinary advice operation of isolation and quarantine procedures responsibility for reporting to the management any illness among members of staff, to determine whether it might be hazardous to the monkeys (eg TB or Herpes) and to safeguard the health of personnel knowledge of basic nursing techniques Relations with monkeys: appropriate attitudes to the animals using a calm, gentle but firm approach familiarisation and taming procedures methods of safe handling including the use of sedatives in an emergency awareness of compatibility between monkeys, particularly in a breeding colony simple training for the animals to ensure their cooperation Records and day book: familiarity with methods of animal identification procedure for daily reporting of all matters of significance in the unit to the senior technican awareness of any security procedures the writing of daily records (form of record, information required) Grade 2 Senior Animal Technician Experience: all skills specified in grade 1 minimum of 4 years experiencc Stockmanship and colony health: maintaining supply of animals and knowledge of all associated legislation processing animals for post mortem examination the monitoring of animal health (see IPS Code of Practice 'Health of captive non-human primates') responsibility for specific animals and allocating their care to particular staff procedures for marking or tattooing animals for identification familiarity with common diseases and their symptoms familiarity with any zoonotic hazards routine veterinary health monitoring procedures dosing methods for common medicines appropriate anaesthetics for the species and method of administration, assessment of depth of anaesthesia and control maintaining a quarantine, hospital and isolation unit special care during illness, or post operatively maintain health records for each animal recognition of hierarchical structure in colony, prevention and control of aggression ability to operate emergency sedation and euthanasia techniques Breeding programmes: conduct and development of the breeding programme recognising signs of oestrus and pregnancy, parturition and dystocia monitoring maternal care keeping detailed records of reproductive history, social compatibility and genetic relationships of all colony members avoiding inbreeding techniques for hand rearing rejected infants and subsequent socialisation procedures (if this is the policy of the unit) Housing: appropriate caging for the species with adequate space provision and maintenance of cage furniture and forms of environmental enrichment establishment of cleaning routine Biology of animals: for each species its geographical range and climate reproductive physiology natural social organisation of the species natural diet and habitat social groups which are appropriate for captive conditions basic behavioural repertoire (or ethogram) Management: drawing up work schedules monitoring staff performance and efficiency staff training ensuring that health and safety of staff are protected and that their vaccination histories are recorded and updated procedures for dealing with bites and scratches enforcing dress and hygiene regulations monitoring staff health and ensuring that appropriate precautions such as vaccinations are up to date ensuring that there is good communication between all staff at all levels Maintaining supplies: regular stocktaking recording sales or transfers to other colonies and supplying relevant documentation ordering supplies of food and bedding and routine medications for the animals checking the condition of all supplies and ensuring that commercial diets and medications are used before last date for shelf life and that they are stored correctly replacement of worn or damaged cage furniture knowledge of appropriate travel boxes for animals and national and international regulations relating to their transportation Rccord keeping: transferring information from day book to permanent files regular updating of animal records: deaths, births, acquisitions, health. reproductive conditions, etc. Experimental procedure: knowledge of laws or regulations controlling experiments consulting with the unit manager with regard to proposals which might infringe regulations collaboration with scientists and veterinarians being acquainted with the aims and requirements of the scientific research expertise in humane handling and training the animals to cooperate in procedures use and administration of analgesics ability to carry out simple routine procedures with minimal stress to the animal Grade 3 Unit Manager Experience: all skills of grades 1 and 2 Qualifications: a degree in biological or veterinary science or animal technology or 8 years practical hands-on experience in a primate colony optional: an additional specialist qualification in primate medicine/primatology or laboratory animal science Responsibilities: efficient and smooth running of the unit preparation and management of budgets maintaining staffing levels the welfare of staff high standards of animal welfare ensuring that veterinary services are available at all times availability of veterinary advice on matters such as disease prophylaxis, zoonoses, methods of humane killing and provision of health certificates provision of environmental enrichment to meet behavioural needs staff training and education, motivation staff working schedules and holidays job descriptions staff promotion and grading production schedules the prevention of any infringements of state laws adequate insurance cover for the unit, its staff and third party claims accountability to the local community in terms of noise, pollution, security of enclosures Animal experimentation: a good working relationship with the institute's veterinarian(s) to collaborate on all matters relating to animal health and welfare good communication with the institute's scientists is essential the unit manager should understand the scientific aims of the research on his animals and balance these against the severity of the procedure to be implemented ensuring that experiments causing harm to the primates use the minimum number of animals, employ the least stressful methods and could not be carried out using non-sentient material or species lower in the phylogenetic scale in the event of a conflict between the unit manager and the scientist over the welfare of an animal, the manager should have the final decision. The unit manager should have the power, under exceptional circumstances, to terminate an experiment or euthanase the animal if he judges that the suffering inflicted is unjustifiable. Advances in knowledge: Unit managers should keep up to date with advances in laboratory animal science, animal welfare science and technological advances in the care and management of non-human primates Where it is practicable and staff are available, research in primate husbandry methods, techniques for environmental enrichment and laboratory animal science should be encouraged in the unit. _____________________________________________________________ End of Code of Practice 2 SOURCE: PRIMATE REPORT 35, January, 1993. For information on how to acquire copies of Primate Report, contact Dr. Michael Schwibbe, Editor, German Primate Center. IPS INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR THE ACQUISITION, CARE AND BREEDING OF NONHUMAN PRIMATES: CODES OF PRACTICE 1-3 [NOTE: The WRPRC is reprinting these important IPS Guidelines on Primate-Talk in serial form. This is the third of three parts. L. Jacobsen, jacobsen@primate.wisc.edu.] IPS INTERNATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR THE ACQUISITION, CARE AND BREEDING OF NONHUMAN PRIMATES CODES OF PRACTICE 1-3 CONTENTS Members of the IPS Captive Care and Breeding Committee 1988-92 Preface Code of Practice: 1 Housing and Environmental Enrichment Aim Physical environment Enriching the environment Social grouping Rearing young primates Assessment of welfare Summary References Code of Practice 2: Levels of Training for Care Giving Staff Aim Introduction Expertise required for different levels of responsibility Code of Practice 3: Health Carer Primates in source countries Primates in importing countries Health care of staff working with non-human primates _____________________________________________________________ IPS Code of Practice: 3 HEALTH CARE The program of health care for captive non-human primates will vary according to the origins of the animals and the species involved. PRIMATES IN SOURCE COUNTRIES Stock caught from the wild (feral primates). A comprehensive and stringent program of health care is requircd to improve the quality of feral animals. 1 There should be a minimum period of four weeks conditioning. Where possible, this four week period should be extended to six weeks to allow a two week 'pre-conditioning' period at the place of capture. During this preliminary conditioning, the animals could be group housed depending on likely compatibility. In the transportation to the main conditioning facility, the crating, feeding and watering of the animals should conform to IPS standards defined elsewhere. Once at the main facility, animals should be housed in compatible pairs wherever possible. This enables the health of each animal to be more easily monitored. The animals should be housed as a batch in one room, adequately lit and ventilated. Once conditioning of that batch has commenced then no further animal should be introduced into that room. hould further stock have to be added, then the conditioning period should recommence for all stock in that room from the date that the last individual was introduced 2 At the start of the conditioning period, each animal should undergo a complete physical examination by a veterinarian or a person suitably trained to carry out such procedures. Further examinations should be made throughout the conditioning period as appropriate. There should be a final check within a few days of shipment. These examinations should take into account the primate's general physical appearance, noting body condition with particular reference to musculature, coat, dentition, buccal mucosa, eyes, any physical deformities, loss of digits, healed fractures of limbs or tail, superficial wounds and any other conditions not normally associated with a healthy monkey. 3 Each animal should be weighed at least twice during the conditioning period. 4 There should be identification of each animal by means of a tattoo or tag according to which is more appropriate for the species. 5 Three tuberculin tests at intervals of two weeks are required for those species of primates susceptible to tuberculosis. Each test should be negative. Any reactor detected should be removed from the batch and the remaining stock retested until all animals in that batch have three consecutive negative tests. 6 Each animal should receive treatment against helminths. A standard procedure would be the use of ivermectin. two doses at an interval of two weeks. 7 Any animal showing symptoms of illness, such as that associated with respiratory disease, diarrhoea or abscesses, should receive appropriate antibiotic and supportive therapy. Animals requiring surgery should be attended to immediately. There should be a small hospital unit where animals can be treated and isolated for intensive medical therapy. A laboratory service should be available to provide back-up diagnostic support. 8 A record card for each animal should be available, detailing date of arrival at the facility, species, animal number, weight, clinical examination and all procedures carried out. Where feasible, location of capture should also be recorded. 9 There should be an option to provide additional health screening procedures should they be required. Such procedures could include radiography, screening for Salmonella, Shigella and other potential bacterial pathogens, the detection of antibodies to Pseudomonas pseudomallei, Herpes B virus, Simian Immunodeficiency virus, Type D retroviruses, hepatitis A and B, measles and filoviruses. Stock bred in captivity (captive-bred primates). Captive-bred primates should be derived from stock that initially underwent a minimum health screening program, as outlined above. An additional two tuberculin tests and further anti-helminth therapy are recommended. The potential breeding stock should also be screened for Salmonella and Shigella by faecal sampling on three consecutive days. One should only use for breeding those animals found negative on testing. Positive Salmonella cases can be treated and used for breeding, if found to be negative on retest. Positive Shigella cases should not normally be used since elimination of the carrier state is difficult. The breeding stock could also be screened and chosen for having no antibodies to Herpes B virus, SIV SRV I and 2 depending on these viruses' relevance to the species of monkey concerned. Once the breeding colony has been established, it should be monitored on a regular basis to ensure no breakdown in disease control. Such a programme should include the following which could be done every six months: 1. Anti-helminth therapy. 2. Tuberculin testing. 3. Salmonella and Shigella testing of faecal swabs from each animal. If the colony is free from Herpes B virus and SIV, serologically monitoring of each animal should be undertaken once a year. Primates weaned from these colonies should continue to be monitored, as above. with regular weight checks and veterinary clinical examinations. Stock bred on islands (purpose-bred primates). Such animals are derived from stock initially screened as described above and then placed on an uninhabited island previously free of other primates. Once a sustainable population is achieved on that island, weaned animals can be harvested. Such animals will have no records of parentage. Having come from an open environment, they would need to be subjected to a rigorous health care programme similar to that described for feral stock. PRIMATES IN IMPORTING COUNTRIES Feral, captive-bred or purpose-bred animals imported from source countries. The health screening procedures for such stock will vary according to clients' requirements and the regulations for such animals within the importing country. A quarantine period of at least 30 days is usually required to ensure the health status of the animals is maintained and to provide a period of adjustment for the animals. Primates should not be imported from suppliers unable to provide the health screening programme described for feral stock. Each animal should arrive with a record card detailing all procedures carried out and be housed in conditions appropriate to the species. Though individual caging may be required, consideration should be given to pairing of young adolescent stock and compatible animals wherever possible. No mixing of new and old batches should occur. If this does happen, then the period of quarantine should start from the date of the last batch received. All animals of one species should be housed in one unit, separate from other species. A similar health monitoring of animals should be applied as outlined for feral stock in the source countries.This would include a preliminary physical examination by trained staff and immediate treatment of health problems. Further health monitoring of stock, particularly with regard to tuberculin testing and anti-helminth therapy, would depend on the policy of the primate facility and the degree of screening already implemented prior to arrival. It is important to establish a standard protocol of health screening for primates from source countries particularly with rcgard to feral stock. The health care program outlined above is a minimum acccptable standard of care which will ensure the good health and welfare of each primate is achieved and maintained. It will also lessen the problems likely to be encountered in the importing country. For these reasons, it is essential that the importer only accepts animals from reliable primate facilities implementing protocols similar to those described. Primates bred in captivity Health screening of such animals should be similar to that outlined for breeding colonies in the source countries. However, with easy access to laboratory facilities and with the wide range of viral screening now available, there is a greater potential for monitoring the colony status of many viral entities. Where new colonies are to be established, consideration should be given to have the breeding stock free of antibodies to specific diseases where these are known to be harboured by the species of primate involved and where these could be a potential source of health problems. HEALTH CARE OF STAFF WORKING WITH NON-HUMAN PRIMATES To avoid the transmission of infection from non-human primates to humans and vice versa, consideration should be given to the health monitoring of staff working with such animals. The transmission of disease can be substantially reduced by ensuring good animal care practices are maintained with appropriate protective clothing, personal hygienc and the facility to provide appropriate vaccinations and health screening of staff working in close proximity with primates. It would be a sound policy to have animal care staff vaccinated against tetanus, polio, rabies and screened for tuberculosis. Vaccination against measles and hepatitis would also be prudent when working with some species. The primate facility should have appropriate medical cover to ensure treatment of staff injuries and illness attributable to working with the primates. Such cover should ensure that each member of staff was made aware of the hazards of working with such animals and the preventative measures available to reduce such hazards. Provision could also be made to keep records of staff vaccinations and illnesses which could affect the primates on site; in conjunction with this, a serum bank could be implemented to store serum samples from staff. ______________________________________________________________ End: Code of Practice 3