Kuhlman, G. 2013. Social housing program for sexually mature male macaques. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 660 (Abstract #132).

To ensure both regulatory compliance and high animal welfare standards a program was initiated in our facility to allow sexually mature male macaques the opportunity for social housing. Historically, there had been concern over social housing of these animals. It was believed they were more prone to fight amongst themselves causing great bodily harm or even death. At initiation of the current project, primate behavioralists were consulted to determine the best plan for introducing the animals to each other. Several long-held beliefs regarding animal introductions and housing practices were modified. The initial introductions of the animals to each other were found to be the most important aspect in successful long-term social housing. A road map was developed during this project that can be implemented by other facilities to allow for successful social housing of their sexually mature male macaques. Since initiation of our new strategy, over 125 pairs of sexually mature male macaques have been created. Only a single animal has been excluded from social housing due to overly aggressive behavior.