Use of Temporary and Semi-Permanent Enrichment Objects by Five Chimpanzees

Crickette Sanz
Central Washington University

Amanda Blicher
Franklin and Marshall College

Karen Dalke
Purdue University

Louise Gratton- Fabbri
Colorado State University

Tami McClure- Richards
California University

Roger S. Fouts
Central Washington University

Requests for reprints should be sent to Roger S. Fouts, Department of Psychology, Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA 98926- 7573.

Keywords: chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes, enrichment, object

At the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute (CHCI), caretakers provide five resident chimpanzees with social, food, habitat, and object enrichment. This study examined the chimpanzees' use of both semi- permanent and temporary objects. Semi- permanent included cargo nets, climbing structures, and a treat mound. Each day fifty temporary objects were placed and, at least once, replaced in the chimpanzees' outdoor enclosure or indoor exercise rooms. Frequency of use was examined in two conditions: temporary objects (a) were replaced every three hours and (b) were presented for the entire day. Temporary object rotation increased the overall frequency of temporary object use for four chimpanzees. The chimpanzees, each with a unique use pattern, used both semi- permanent and temporary objects throughout the day. The study emphasizes the importance of temporary object rotation and the presentation of both temporary and semi- permanent objects to captive chimpanzee environments.
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The Management of Spent Hens

Ruth C. Newberry
Center for the Study of Animal Well- Being, Washington State University, Pullman

A. Bruce Webster
Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens

Nora J. Lewis
Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg

Charles Van Arnam
Canadian Egg Marketing Agency, Ottawa

Requests for reprints should be sent to Ruth C. Newberry, Center for the Study of Animal Well- being, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164- 6520.

When hens kept for commercial egg production reach the end of their economically viable life span, they are usually transported to a processing plant for conversion into meat products. In this paper, we review methods used in the United States and Canada for the catching and removing of these "spent" hens from the layer house and the subsequent loading of them onto vehicles for transport, unloading, and slaughter at the processing plant. We outline welfare concerns associated with these procedures, with emphasis on bone fractures. We discuss the move toward on- farm euthanasia in North America and the humaneness of the various techniques under investigation. We conclude with recommendations aimed at increasing bone strength and improving the equipment and handling methods used in the movement and slaughter of spent hens.
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Segregated Early Weaning and Welfare of Piglets

Suzanne Robert
Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada, Lennoxville

Dan Weary
Department of Animal Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver

Harold Gonyou
Prairie Swine Centre, Saskatoon

Requests for reprints should be sent to Suzanne Robert, Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada, P.O. Box 90 - 2000 Route 108 East, Lennoxville (Quebec) Canada J1M 1Z3. E- mail: roberts@em.agr.ca.

Segregated early weaning (SEW), introduced with the objectives of eradicating or controlling diseases and improving performance, is becoming increasingly popular among producers. The main features of SEW are weaning piglets early and moving the newly weaned piglets to a site isolated from the sows and other animals. In this paper, we describe the key features of SEW and factors leading to its development. We review some of the main welfare issues involved with raising pigs in this way. We describe experiments, crucial in the development of SEW, that show positive effects on health status and weight gain of piglets. We also review experiments that show welfare problems associated with this system. Specifically, we look at the effects of early weaning on the behavior and well- being of piglets. In addition, we look at other features of SEW, such as repeated cross- fostering and transport of young piglets. We provide directions for future research and offer recommendations for producers.

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Reasons for Relinquishment of Companion Animals in U.S. Animal Shelters: Selected Health and Personal Issues

Janet M. Scarlett
College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca

Mo D. Salman
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins

John G. New, Jr.
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee

Philip H. Kass
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis

Requests for reprints should be sent to J. M. Scarlett, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary
Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.

In personal interviews, people surrendering their dogs and cats to 12 animal shelters in 4 regions of the country discussed their reasons for relinquishing their companion animals and answered questions about their own characteristics and those of their pet. The interviews identified 71 reasons for relinquishment. Personal issues lead the class of reasons for relinquishment of cats and ranked third among those given for relinquishment of dogs. The top three health and personal issues cited for giving up cats were allergies of a family member to cats, owner's personal problems, and a new baby . For dogs, the top three cited were lack of time for the dog, owner's personal problems, and allergies. Analysis of these health and personal issues suggests that education and counseling before and after acquisition of a pet as well as the availability of temporary accommodations for pets during times of personal crisis may reduce relinquishments.
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Animal Abuse in Massachusetts: A Summary of Case Reports at the MSPCA and Attitudes of Massachusetts Veterinarians

Lori Donley and Gary J. Patronek
Tufts Center for Animals and Public Policy

Carter Luke
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Requests for reprints should be sent to Lori Donley, Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037.

This paper reports information abstracted from 200 randomly sampled animal abuse complaints received by the Massachusetts SPCA in 1996, along with the results of 110 surveys completed by Massachusetts veterinarians concerning their experience with, and attitudes and perceptions of, animal mistreatment. In 1996, there were a total of 4,942 complaints of animal mistreatment, or 2.2 complaints per 1,000 households in Massachusetts. The majority of sampled complaints involved dogs (69.5%) and/or cats (21.5%). Almost all complaints involved husbandry related neglect (62.0%) and/or medical neglect (26.0%). A violation of the law was observed by the investigating officer in 75 (37.5%) cases. The majority (78.9%) of veterinarians reported having observed at least one instance of animal abuse in their patients, although few encountered more than 5 cases (16.4%) during their years of practice. Almost all respondents (93.6%) agreed that veterinarians have an ethical responsibility to report suspicions of abuse, but a smaller number (44.5%) believed that this responsibility should be mandated.
 

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