title: Effects of freely accessible computerized test systems on the spontaneous behaviors and stress level of Guinea baboons (Papio papio).
abstract: Fagot and Paleressompoulle [Fagot and Paleressompoulle (2009) Behav Res Methods 41: 396-404] described a new automated learning device for monkeys (ALDM) to test the cognitive functions of nonhuman primates within their social groups. However, the impact of the ALDM procedure on animal well-being needs to be investigated. The present study assessed the consequences of ALDM testing on the behavioral repertoire of Guinea baboons (Papio papio) and their stress levels as inferred from measurements of saliva cortisol. Accessibility to ALDM test computers reduced the number of resting periods as well as the number of stereotypies. Lower cortisol levels were also found during ALDM testing. These findings and others demonstrate that ALDM testing has a positive impact on animal well-being and can be considered as a means for behavioral enrichment in captive primates.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cognitive Psychology, CNRS and Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France; Brain and Language Research Institute, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Joël
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fagot
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gullstrand
authors.forename: Caralyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kemp
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Defilles
authors.forename: Mourad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mekaouche
mesh_terms: D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory / Q000502:physiology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D048531:Papio papio / Q000502:physiology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: automatic testing; cognition; primate; welfare