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.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Kramer, Joshua Allen
• Wadlinger, Heather Ann

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 02D270M

Advisor

• Rulfs, Jill

Year

• 2002

Date created

• 2002-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright