Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
available and in those cases older references are listed that
still present detail of those techniques.
clicker sound with the positive reward. That single key
knowledge can be used to shape the behavior of
a nonhuman primate by marking the desirable behavior and
rewarding it. Then, by inserting a cue into the training
regimen, the subject can be taught to voluntarily cooperate
with many different tasks such as shifting, presenting,
examinations, medication administration, and many more.
HANDLING
Animals must be handled in the course of performing
physical examinations, diagnostic exercises, dosing, and
collecting body fluid (
Whitney et al., 1967; Leahy and
Barrow, 1971; Whitney, et al., 1973
). Nonhuman primates
are difficult and often dangerous to handle and most require
some type of restraint to be handled safely. Nevertheless,
some smaller species and young animals may be handled
when conscious by trained personnel. However, some
nonhuman primates are more easily alarmed than others
and this characteristic must be taken into account during
handling to prevent them from sustaining undue stress or
injury. They should be first habituated to human presence
and to the personal protective equipment worn by
personnel. The macaques and other mid-sized nonhuman
primates present an increased risk of injury to the handler
and should usually be sedated during procedures. The
larger nonhuman primates such as mature baboons, chimps,
and sizable rhesus are very strong and unpredictably
dangerous. They should be handled only with the use of
proper restraint devices and techniques or with the use of
sedating agents. Clearly, numerous factors must be care-
fully considered when selecting a method to handle
nonhuman primates. Among the most important elements
to take into account are those involving animal species,
size, strength, temperament, age, gender, health, and
reproductive status. The choice of handling technique must
further be tempered by a consideration for the potential of
the animal to transmit zoonoses (
Bennett et al., 1995
).
Capture
Prior to handling, nonhuman primates must first be
captured. Capture from a group cage might mean entering
the cage and hand-catching or capturing with a net if the
nonhuman primates are small; larger nonhuman primates
can be darted. However, it is best to have the group cage
designed so that it is attached to a race or tunnel system
(
Figure 13.1
), allowing nonhuman primates to be shifted to
other areas without exposing handlers to possible risk.
Races can be connected to work areas with equipment such
as squeeze-back cages or transfer box connections. Groups
and individuals may be trained through positive rein-
forcement to navigate the races with very little stress.
Smaller nonhuman primates may be netted or hand-
captured. Netting is accomplished by positioning the net
over the animal then twisting the unloaded portion to
prevent escape. Hand-capturing is accomplished using
quick, decisive handwork and protective gloves. Any such
direct capture will cause alarm, but a calm and firm
approach reduces stress and may alleviate undue anxiety
that can affect future captures. Although some simple
examinations and procedures may be performed after
Positive Reinforcement Training
Individuals and groups of nonhuman primates may be
trained to voluntarily cooperate with handlers during many
procedures, including capture and restraint, therefore
decreasing the need for chemical and physical restraint
(
Reinhardt et al., 1995
). Positive reinforcement training,
which involves rewarding a behavior to encourage it, has
many advantages for both the handler and the animal (
Pryor,
1999
). A positive bond can be developed between the two
which enhances the psychological well-being of the animal
(
Reinhardt, 2005
). Also, the data collected from a willing
participant may be of better quality than that collected after
enforced capture and restraint (
Reinhardt, 2005
).
“Clicker training” is one way to obtain desirable
behaviors and enhance the care and welfare of nonhuman
primates (
Schapiro et al., 2003; Laule and Whittaker,
2007
). Clicker training is initiated by handing food and
treats to the animals immediately preceded by the sound of
a clicker. The animals will quickly learn to associate the
FIGURE 13.1
A gang cage connected to a separation and catch area
by way of a race.
