Faculty Advisor
Rulfs, Jill
Abstract
The psychological well-being of non-human primates is an issue of importance to contemporary zoos. Two colonies of adult female brown-tufted capuchins were observed to evaluate the enrichment benefit of two puzzle feeders. The short-term effectiveness of the two puzzle feeders was assessed by comparing behaviors before and after the feeders' introduction. The long-term recognition was also examined to determine the possibility of using the feeders in a zoo setting. Finally, the influence of the food's novelty was determined. Results suggested that any enrichment was based entirely on the amount of novel food available. The boxes were of little cognitive challenge to the monkeys and usage was proportional to the amount of novel food available in the boxes. Few behavioral differences were noted, but as a result of box introduction, aggression levels increased in the colonies. The puzzle boxes are not an effective enrichment device.
Publisher
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date Accepted
January 2002
Major
Biotechnology
Major
Biology
Project Type
Major Qualifying Project
Copyright Statement
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Accessibility
Restricted-WPI community only
Advisor Department
Biology and Biotechnology
Advisor Program
Biology and Biotechnology