Monkeys at the Oregon National Primate Research Center are provided with many types of environmental enrichment to simulate a natural environment.  In the summer the monkeys have access to pools and other forms of water enrichment.  Here you can see them enjoying a refreshing dip in their pool.

Nonhuman primates, like these Rhesus macaques, are naturally curious. They spend a great deal of time foraging and investigating novel objects in their natural habitats. Environmental enrichment provides a way to simulate a natural environment for monkeys that are needed for research.  This increases opportunities for the expression of species-typical…

Here a husbandry technician is providing food enrichment to rhesus macaques in their corral. This kind of positive interaction between monkeys and their caretakers can improve well-being for the animals (or, for the animals and the humans!).

Monkeys are given enrichment such as toys, swings, climbing structures and other items to increase their behavioral diversity. Many of these objects are rotated on a regular basis, to keep them novel.  This indoor enclosure for the monkeys at Oregon National Primate Research Center provides many opportunities that encourage natural…

The Oregon National Primate Research Center is currently evaluating various forms of research methods to improve traditional cognitive testing. This Rhesus macaque is using a touchscreen to determine his cognitive ability as part of a neuroscience research project. He is being shown a video of other monkeys, in place of…

Garcia is participating in positive reinforcement training (PRT), also known as clicker training. PRT is a type of training in which animals get rewards for performing desired behaviors. Using PRT, monkeys like Garcia voluntarily cooperate with procedures necessary for husbandry and research protocols. Such procedures include entering a transfer box…

This is the Oregon National Primate Research Center Nonhuman Primate Training Specialist.  She is training a monkey, Finch, in a group to take medication, which allows him to stay in his colony, instead of being removed to the hospital. Avoiding such removals helps to reduce not only the stress to…