Effects of a responsive surrogate on nursery-reared Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Dr. Rebecca Brunelli 
Department of Biological Sciences 
CSU, Chico 

Dr. Rebecca Brunelli developed an interest in animal welfare, particularly the welfare of animals in captivity, while doing research at the Primate Research Center at UC Davis. The center includes a research and breeding colony of over 5,000 monkeys. Most of the infants stay with their mothers after birth, but some are separated due to rejection by their mothers or use in the studies of infants. Dr. Brunelli was concerned with signs of distress of the baby monkeys who had been separated from their mothers. She worked on developing surrogates, usually furry objects, with some looking like a stuffed toy animal. Through the surrogates, the young monkeys displayed more positive traits, including playfulness, curiosity, and confidence. 

Recorded: February 21, 2014