A UNIQUE DESIGN FOR EASE OF ACCESS AND MOVEMENT OF CAPTIVE PAPIO-HAMADRYAS

Baboons are widely used in biomedical research but their size and beha viour present potential problems with accessibility. A unique system h as been developed that ensures ease of access to all animals in a colo ny of Papio hamadryas. Two distinct caging complexes were linked by a network of overhead races, that are connected to a physical restraint area where individual animals could be separated, restrained and weigh ed without being handled. Access to and separation of individual famil y groups was achieved in this manner. This race system proved to be ti me effective, simple, sturdy, safe and hygienic.