Survival and reproduction in the first two years following a large-scale primate colony move and social reorganization

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the mortality and fertility rates before, during, and after the move and social reorganization of the Washington Regional Primate Research Center's pigtailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) and baboon (Papio cynocephalus, Papio anubis, and hybrids) breeding colonies from the Primate Field Station (PFS) (Medical Lake, WA) to the Tulane Regional Primate Research Center (Covington, LA). Colony records on all 598 pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) and 157 baboons (P. c. anubis) shipped to the Tulane Primate Center from the PFS breeding colony were used for analysis of species, sex, age, origin, current status, and the number of animals born at Tulane and their status. To provide comparative statistics, colony records on all 1,002 macaques and 258 baboons alive on 1 January 1991 at the Field Station were retrieved in the same manner as the Tulane data. Overall survival rates of macaques in the months following the move (71.7%) were similar to those associated with the Arashiyama West colony move from Japan to Texas. In our colony, significantly lower survival following the move was seen only in older (10 years+) macaques, while survival in other age groups was slightly lower than in the comparison year of 1991 at the Primate Field Station. Captive‐bred macaques exhibited higher survival than wild‐caught animals. Infant survival at Tulane was not significantly different than in pre‐move years. Baboons fared well in the move, with no significant differences in mortality or reproduction when compared with the 1991 Medical Lake baboon colony. Am. J. Primatol. 50:131–138, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Demographic analysis of the Washington Regional Primate Research Center pigtailed macaque colony, 1967-1996

“…In general, their demographics improved over time at the PFS, probably due to greater experience in their husbandry and sophistication in veterinary and husbandry care. It is pos- sible that these demographic patterns were affected by selection-based changes in the population itself, as suggested by evidence from the move of these animals to their new quarters at the Tulane Regional Primate Research Center in Covington, Louisiana [Ha et al, 2000].…”

Rehabilitation and Socialization of Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) Used for Entertainment and as Pets: An 8-Year Study at Fundació Mona

“…Infants and juveniles learn species-typical behaviors, including foraging skills, tool use, and cultural traditions (McGrew 2004). Mothers play an essential role in learning and socialization (Grazlano and Ward 1992;Ha et al 2000;Lind and Lindenfors 2010;Lonsdorf 2006). A secure emotional attachment to the mother is also a crucial component of normal social development (Tomonaga 2006;van Ijzendoorn et al 2009).…”

Maternal parity affects neonatal survival rate in a colony of captive bred baboons (Papio hamadryas)

“…However, there is very little literature reporting certain reproductive outcomes in either captive or wild primate colonies. These parameters should be established for individual captive populations, given the potential effects of nutritional, social, environmental and other management factors on reproduction [3, 8]. In this study, we report the pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of baboons at the Australian National Baboon Colony (ANBC).…”