The Welfare of Primates
Members of the American Society of Primatologists are concerned about the welfare of all primates, whether the primates live in captivity (in zoos, sanctuaries, laboratories, etc.) or in the wild. Scientists, veterinarians and others who care for captive primates have learned a great deal about important influences on the welfare of primates, and have identified many different techniques to promote their welfare. ASP’s annual conference serves as a place for some of that scientific work to be shared with colleagues, and the American Journal of Primatology, the official journal of ASP, publishes some of those scientific articles.
Major areas of research related to primate welfare have concentrated on defining welfare, on evaluating environmental enrichment methods, on facilitating social housing in compatible groups, and on animal training techniques. We encourage anyone interested in the welfare of primates to read scientific articles on the topic.
For more information on these topics, please click here:
- Animal Training
- Social Housing of Primates
- Introduction to Enivronmental Enrichment for Primates
- Tips and Information to Assist with the Retirement of Monkeys from Research Settings to Private Sanctuaries
- Guidance for working with primates and dealing with COVID-19
- Welfare Hot Topics
- ASP Welfare Grants
ASP Primate Welfare Award
The American Society of Primatologists Primate Care Committee (PCC) will award one prize annually to an outstanding oral presentation or poster presentation given at the annual meeting. This award is intended to recognize high quality research that directly and significantly enhances the welfare and/or psychological well-being of captive nonhuman primates, or for research that provides a better understanding of the welfare of captive nonhuman primates.
View details on or apply for the ASP Primate Welfare Award.
Please see details on registering for the 2023 ASP Pre-conference Primate Care Workshop in Reno here. Scholarships for the 2023 pre-conference workshop are available! Applications for scholarship funds will be accepted through May 3, 2023. Scholarship winners will receive free registration to the workshop, ASP membership for 1 year ($100), and one night stay at hotel ($175). Click here to apply.