Potential Food Inclination of Crab-Eating Macaques in Laboratory Environments: Enhancing Positive Reinforcement Training and Health Optimization

• Published in: Animals (Basel) 2024-04, Vol.14 (7), p.1123
• Main Authors: Kim, Ji Woon, Lee, Yoon Beom, Hong, Yeon Su, Jung, Hoesu, Lee, Gwang-Hoon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal behavior; Animal welfare; Behavior; behavioral assessment; crab-eating macaque; Diet; dietary choice; Experiments; Females; Food; Fruit; Laboratory animals; Medical personnel; Medical research; Monkeys & apes; Positive reinforcement; positive reinforcement training; Preferences; primate; Primates; Proteins; Success; Training; Vegetables; welfare
• ISSN: 2076-2615; 2076-2615
• DOI: 10.3390/ani14071123

Positive reinforcement and training for health optimization are pivotal for successful studies with monkeys. Potential food inclination is important for studies on crab-eating macaques in laboratory environments, but evaluations remain scarce. We explored crab-eating macaques' potential food inclination to establish a reward system for future behavioral assessments. Twelve male and three female monkeys underwent a food inclination assessment in which they were offered four food categories-fruits, vegetables, proteins, and nuts. The monkeys exhibited a higher inclination for plant-based foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, over animal-based proteins like chicken and tuna ( < 0.0001), with a notable inclination for nuts (eaten/provided = 100%). Additionally, the consistency of potential food inclination after repeated offerings was investigated, revealing a time-dependent increase in inclination for protein items. Food consumption ratios correlated positively with caloric intake ( = 0.59, = 0.02), implying that individuals with a regular high caloric intake and increased body weight are more likely to accept food during positive reinforcement training. Our findings suggest fruits, vegetables, protein-rich foods, and nuts can help with health optimization. However, animal-based protein-rich foods initially had a low preference, which may increase over time. Our study can provide guidelines for positive reinforcement training and health optimization.