ABSTRACT
We tested the effect of an apparatus that could induce tool use on the behavior of six captive Capuchin Monkeys. We used “focal-animal” to estimate the time spent in general behavioral states and those indicative of stress, and “all occurrences” of agonistic and stereotypic behavioral events. The group showed different profiles of activity budget, with varied responses to stressing factors. Some individuals reduced the behaviors indicative of stress, but there was no significant variation for the group. We concluded that the apparatus was inefficient, limited as measure of enrichment for the species. However, due to individual effects, we suggest that the technique can be effective for specific individuals or groups under very stressful conditions.
Key words:
animal welfare; cognitive enrichment; stress; primates
