Andrianjazalahatra, T., Honess, P. 2014. Use of visual barriers by breeding groups of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis): An indication of color or location preference? American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 539-540 (Abstract #PS54).

Visual barriers have been shown to be valuable environmental components of nonhuman primate housing to break visual contact between conspecifics as well as between primates and their human keepers. The effect of visual barriers can be to reduce aggression and stress in complex social housing contexts. At our institution, visual barriers are an important component of the environmental enrichment program. They are provided as items within the cage (for example, ‘tents’ and barrels) and as panels on exterior and dividing cage sides. This investigation aimed to determine if animals had any preference for different visual barriers based on their location or color. The distribution of individuals was examined in relation to the visual barrier panels in 12 breeding groups of long-tailed macaques with an average of 1.5 adult males, 28.81 adult females, and 32.03 unweaned infants per group. Measures were taken to control color/ location variables across the different cages. The distribution of individuals was recorded using scan samples at 2-min intervals during 31 20-min sampling periods (total: 620 min, 310 scans). Analyses indicate a preference among adults for the orientation of visual barrier panels (P = 0.001), a preference for panels located next to corner perches (P = 0.002), and no clear preference for green, orange, or yellow visual barriers (P = 0.094). Bright colors in primate housing provide valuable sensory stimulation. This study indicates that which particular colors are used on visual barriers is likely to be less important than locating them adjacent to other key behavioral features, such as rest areas.