Injury risks among chimpanzees in three housing conditions

摘要: Meeting the psychological needs of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) can be a challenge given their aggressiveness on one hand and complexity social lives other. It is unclear how to balance need provide opportunities for species-appropriate behavior against potential risks injury may inflict each This study evaluates suggestion that simpler environments protect from wounding. Over two-year period all visible injuries 46 adult males, 64 females, 25 immature were recorded at Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center. Approximately half subjects mother-reared, rest nursery-reared. Housing included compounds containing about 20 chimpanzees, interconnected indoor-outdoor runs groups up 12 individuals, smaller pairs trios. Annual wounding rates calculated serious wounds (extensive those requiring veterinary intervention) as well minor wounds. Compound-housed incurred highest level wounding, but levels not affected by housing condition. Even with dominance instability elevated in compound, compound injured more than over long term. Nursery-reared females moderate-sized wounded mother-reared females. Also, nursery-reared males less often when paired companions. Overall, this indicates maintaining trios would an effective means reducing injuries. The management chimpanzee colonies influenced sex rearing composition colony.