Bloomsmith, M. A., Lambeth, S., Lutz, C. et al. 2018. Welfare measures for laboratory chimpanzees in the United States. American Journal of Primatology 80(S1), 46-47 (40th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #145).

Behavioral assessment is an essential element of chimpanzee care. Behavioral data were compiled from four chimpanzee laboratory facilities (N = 522; 286 females, 236 males) using differing methods of assessment including quantitative data collection, animal records and observations by behavioral management staff. The subjects were 46.4% mother‐reared (MR), 46.9% non‐mother‐reared (NONMR), and 6.7% wild‐born (WB). Mean group size was 5.9, 100% had access to outdoor space all year, and 59.2% had daily access to natural substrate. Species‐typical behaviors were surveyed: 95.4% used tools to acquire food; 50% built nests; 94.4% initiated grooming; and 68% copulated. Forty‐two percent showed abnormal behavior; most commonly stereotypic rocking and coprophagy. Ninety‐seven percent generally voluntarily cooperate with requests to shift and 64.2% present for an injection. Chi‐square analyses (df = 2) revealed MR chimpanzees were more likely than NONMR to use tools (Chi‐square = 16.73, p < .001) and to initiate grooming (Chi‐square = 22.59, p < .001). WB were more likely to build nests than MR and MR more likely than NONMR (Chi‐square = 82.25, p < .001). MR and WB were more likely than NONMR to copulate (Chi‐square = 30.43, p < .001). MR were more likely than NONMR to display coprophagy (Chi‐square = 11.74, p =.003). This analysis will help guide future improvements in behavioral management to address existing behavioral problems or deficits.