Enrichment for Macaques Housed Under Animal Biological Safety Level Three (ABSL3) Conditions G. Villanueva*, L. Rumpf, S. Perez, M. de la Garza In our lab we emphasize the importance of enriching the primates. We counter the fact that our primates are singly caged by providing a wide variety of enrichment (food, manipulable, visual, auditory). Veterinary technicians are trained to recognize bored animals needing further enrichment. Because of specialized housing used in high containment facilities, and mechanics of animal enclosures, we must be inventive in creating enrichment devices. To encourage foraging, we spread different food items on the bottom of the animals’ enclosure. This provides an added benefit, as in many cases it prevents animals from shredding cage pan liners. We use radios and televisions as sources of visual and audible stimuli; allowing animals to occupy their time with new sights and sounds. We also provide puzzle feeders, mirrors, novel food items, and toys. Technicians play a role themselves as enrichment. Macaques are prey animals thus must mask weakness/illnesses from predators. By spending time together, technicians get to know what is normal for each animal and animals are at ease in their presence. In this way, we can readily spot illness or depression. Providing the daily stimulus and highly enriched environment makes for a healthier animal, which in turn makes for good science. ABSTRACT Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research Southwest National Primate Research Center P.O. Box , San Antonio,  Proper enrichment of animals in an ABSL3 environment helps to keeps the animals occupied. This is important because all animals are singly housed.  The animals are allowed to utilize different types of enrichment devices to keep themselves occupied, which keeps them from becoming bored or depressed.  Animals are provided with consumable, manipulable, visual, and auditory enrichment. Some of these items help promote foraging behavior and various other stimuli that are beneficial to the animals’ wellbeing.  We feel that by providing an abundance of enrichment and stimuli, our NHPs are better equipped to maintain their health status, appetite, attitude, appearance and weight, throughout the course of the study. INTRODUCTION METHODS  Our ABSL3 laboratory is designed to hold macaques ≤10 kgs. Thus far, we have worked with Cynomologus and Rhesus Macaques.  We utilize a wide variety of enrichment. Due to the squeeze back cages we must be creative with the toys we place inside the cages.  The animals are housed in four pack cages with squeeze backs, and are contained in a Bio-Bubble® primary containment apparatus. Enrichment Types  Visual  Manipulable  Edible  Interactive  Items are rotated to prevent boredom Mirrors are mounted on the walls in front of the cages so the animals can see each other. The animals also have small mirrors in their cages. Televisions and DVD players are set to favorite movies and programs.  Auditory Television viewing is provided during working hours Radios tuned to stations the monkeys seem to respond to are provided in the afternoon hours. Rubber dog toys –Kongs –Bones Metal rings with chains attached Other ball type toys are placed in the enclosure for the NHPs to explore. NHPs with toys hanging on cage in in cage or playing with toys. A wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables Crackers Sandwiches –Peanut butter –Jelly –Banana –Grain Colored juices –Gatorade –Pedialyte –Sugar-free Kool-aide Colored liquid in water bottle. Grain spread on a cage pan liner. Grains and other small items are spread on the enclosure bottom to encourage foraging. Food and manipulable enrichment. NHPs in an enriched environment. Clinical Observations RESULTS Weight Data Food Consumption Data CONCLUSIONS  Animals in laboratory animal medicine are often asked to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to advance biomedical research and medicine. Thus, we do everything in our power to make sure they live their lives as comfortable as possible.  By becoming acquainted with each animal and providing them highly enriched environments, we feel that not only do we provide the researcher with the best possible study animals, we also promote sound science with repeatable results. METHODS cont.