To compare reproductive parameters of a managed population of free-ranging provisioned ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) to wild L. catta populations, we analyzed birth and mortality records collected over the 17-year history of the St. Catherines Island ring-tailed lemur colony. The majority of births in this colony (approximately 80%) occurred in March, which indicates that most females at this site conceived during the first estrus cycle of the breeding season, as do wild ring-tailed lemur females (Sauther [1991] Am J Phys Anthropol 84:463-77). Females in this provisioned colony reach the age at first parturition (primiparous age) earlier (at 2 years) than do wild ring-tailed lemurs, which typically begin to reproduce at 3 years of age (Sussman [1991] Female fecundity is lowest at 2 years of age (34%), but increases to 67-100% for females age 3 and older. Survival analyses showed that infant survivorship for very young (2-3 years) and very old females (410 years) are similar, and are lower than that for reproductively prime-aged females

There are now over 200 red ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata rubra) housed in captivity in North America. However, housing space is limited thus reproduction of this species has been curtailed. Ruffed lemurs are usually housed in pairs or pairs with their immature offspring. In the wild, large groups of ruffed lemurs have been reported suggesting that there is potential to maintain larger groups in captivity. Quantitative data on the behavior of large groups of ruffed lemurs in captivity is lacking. This study was conducted on an established group of lemurs at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to document social interactions over an extended period of time. A total of 420 hours of behavioral data were collected on five males and three females over four years. Animals engaged in affiliative behavior nearly six times as frequently as agonistic or reproductive behaviors. MANOVA revealed that females engaged in significantly more social interactions than did males. Over time, aggressive interactions decreased and reproductive behaviors increased, indicating group stability and cohesiveness. The success of this group suggests that larger groups of red ruffed lemurs can be compatible and could be an effective means of increasing captive holding space for this species. Maternal competence is particularly variable among primiparous nonhuman primates, and sufficient quantitative information is lacking on the specific behavioral patterns related to the successful rearing of offspring by primiparous chimpanzees. This study was conducted at multiple institutions to quantify maternal behavior of 24 chimpanzees after the birth of their first infants. Observations were conducted as soon as possible postpar-tum and continued for several weeks. Data were one-zero samples of maternal behavior, infant behavior, their interactions and proximity. The chimpanzees successfully reared 16 of their 24 infants (67%). During the 303 hours of data collected, all mothers in the study contacted their infants during 98% of the intervals, carried them during 96% of the intervals , and nursed them during 12% of the intervals. The infants vocalized during 7% of the intervals and exhibited a strong grip during 72% of the intervals. A MANOVA on 42 hours of data collected on the day of birth revealed that successful mothers showed significantly higher levels of carrying their infants ventrally and responding to their infants than did mothers who were ultimately unsuccessful. Successful mothers showed less inappropriate contact (e.g., dangling infants). There were no differences in the number of intervals in which mothers nursed or were aggressive to their infants. These findings can aid in evaluating the competence of primiparous chimpanzees and in making ethologically based management decisions. Four chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and two rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) selected either five Arabic numerals, five colored squares, or five lexigrams on a computer monitor in a specific, learned sequence. On probe trials in one condition, the locations of the sec...

Health and disease are critical factors for understanding primate evolution and for developing effective conservation and management strategies. However, comprehensive health assessments of wild primate populations are rare, in part because of the difficulty and risk of chemically immobilizing subjects to obtain the necessary biological samples. We report here the results of a health assessment, as Int J Primatol (2009) well as the methods and drug dosages used to capture white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus) on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. We captured and measured 24 capuchins as part of an ongoing radiotelemetry study, and collected biological samples from 9 of them for a comprehensive health survey. Telazol® was very effective for immobilizing and capturing capuchins, although the doses we used were higher than those recommended for captive capuchins. High Telazol doses immobilized individuals quickly, ensuring that we were able to find and recover the sedated monkeys. The capuchins were generally in good condition, and had few ecto-, hemo-, or intestinal parasites. However, all but 1 of the adults had substantial dental abnormalities. In addition, 1 juvenile had indeterminate genitalia that we believe to be the result of hypospadias. Seven of the capuchins tested positive for exposure to Herpesvirus tamarinus and all individuals tested positive for exposure to Cebus cytomegalovirus. Hematology, serum chemistry, and plasma mineral levels from the wild individuals were, for the most part, comparable to those recorded for captive Cebus capucinus, and contribute to establishing baseline health values for the species.