The Behavioral Services Unit (BSU) at the Oregon National
Primate Research Center (ONPRC) is devoted to the psychological
needs of the nonhuman primates. The primary goal of our unit is
to provide the monkeys with conditions that afford them
opportunities to express species-typical behaviors (such as
grooming and foraging) and reduce stress. We work with the
husbandry, veterinary and scientific staff to implement our
Behavioral Management plan, which provides for the behavioral
needs of our monkeys Monkeys are social animals, and form
complex relationships in their natural habitats. Therefore, we
provide our monkeys with the maximum possible amount of social
opportunities. Over half the monkeys at ONPRC live in large
groups, including outdoor corrals and new sheltered housing
units. The remaining animals live indoors in small groups or
cages. Whenever possible, we pair the caged monkeys; that is,
keep two monkeys in a double cage with a removable slide (which
can be replaced to separate the cage-mates). We al