IACUC Learning Module - Primates | Previous Next |
Proper restraint is important in handling or examining primates.
The arms, legs, teeth and the prehensile tail of some species, must be controlled. Restraint of animals should be both effective and as gentle as possible, with emphasis on protecting animals and handlers from injury.
Many of the smaller species are quite fragile; therefore, a gentle but firm manner must be employed.
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New World primates can generally be physically restrained with the use of heavy gloves.
Old World primates are aggressive and unpredictable and extreme care should be exercised in handling them. If an animal escapes, a scissors net will aid in handling small primates. Heavier nets are used to control large animals. Safe netting and restraint of primates requires two or more handlers. Primates do not like to be netted and will try to avoid handlers. |
After the primate is netted, twist the top of the net over the animal to prevent it from escaping. While in the net, the animal's arms are carefully placed behind the back, holding them together at the elbows. Then the animal is removed while exercising care to avoid injury from the teeth. Large primates may require two people to effectively stretch their legs for adequate control.
Nonhuman primates are extremely intelligent and can be easily trained or conditioned. Basic training procedures utilizing positive reinforcement, repetition, and consistency will result in animals that are easier to work with. As few as five or six training sessions with a cage adapted animal can significantly improve the animal/handler interaction.
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This method must never be used with a macaque monkey! Cages, with a squeeze mechanism, move the animal to one end of the cage and allow limited examination or injection procedures. Small primates can be caught and restrained using a squeeze-back cage. Calmly approach the cage, unlock the padlock, and release the squeeze latch. Draw the movable back cage wall forward, being careful not to pin arms, legs, or tail. If possible, position the animal so that its back is near the door, and unlock the squeeze apparatus in place. Reposition the unlocked padlock on the cage front so the door can be partially opened. (See Addendum 2 for step-by-step instructions on physical restraint.) |
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The pole and collar method of restraint enables you to remove a single-housed animal from its cage. Handler safety is maximized since direct contact with the animal is kept to a minimum. After five to ten training sessions, the conditioned animals can be restrained using this technique with a minimal amount of stress.
The animal is fitted with a rigid collar which has two metal rings. A catch pole with a spring-loaded clasp attaches to one of the metal rings on the collar. The handler may direct the primate without having to actually touch the animal.
Remove the primate from its cage by opening the door enough for you to advance the pole into the cage. Squeeze the animal forward and attach the clasp on the pole to one of the metal rings on the collar. At this time, a second handler can attach a second pole to increase control of the primate. Remove the animal from its cage using the poles as a guide for the primate to follow. Smaller or well conditioned animals can often be moved by one handler with a single pole.
The pole, chain, and collar method can be used for handling smaller single-housed primates. The animal is fitted with a collar to which a light flexible chain is attached. The loose end of the chain has a clip which is attached to the outside of the cage. Animals accept this lightweight system and move around freely in the cage. The pole used to move the animal from its cage is a two foot metal rod with a rigid ring at one end. Remove the clip from the outside of the cage and pass it through the ring on the end of pole. Pull the chain until the ring on the pole sits snugly against the collar on the primate. The animal can be removed from its cage at this time.
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Updated 01/02/2008 gea
