Other monkeys

Tuberculosis

SignsChronic cough, weight loss, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes. Can progress without symptoms

PreventionTuberculin test on arrival and yearly. Keepers get checkups too. Isolate any coughing animal at once

Bacterial dysentery / enteritis

SignsMucoid bloody stool, watery diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, collapse. Worsens rapidly

PreventionAlways wash hands after handling feces. Separate tools per animal. Send diarrheic stool for testing

Diabetes (obesity)

SignsExcessive thirst and urination, weight loss despite eating, dull coat, cataracts. Common in middle-aged and older animals

PreventionNo fruit or sweets. Record weight monthly and provide a large exercise area

Metabolic bone disease

SignsDeformed limbs, abnormal gait, easy fractures, seizures, poor growth

PreventionPrimate pellets with vitamin D3 as the staple. Daily UV lamp or sunbathing

Self-injury / stereotypic behavior

SignsBiting own arm, pulling hair, pacing the same route, constant rocking

PreventionAvoid solitary housing; change enrichment daily so foraging takes time

Measles / influenza

SignsFever, runny nose, cough, rash, conjunctivitis. Caught from humans and spreads through the whole troop

PreventionNo contact by anyone with cold symptoms. Strict masks and handwashing. Vaccinate keepers

Bite wounds from fighting

PreventionSeparate during unstable rank periods (sexual maturity, newcomers). Provide multiple hiding spots and feeding stations

First aidStay away until the excitement subsides. Heavy bleeding needs treatment under anesthesia. See a vet the same day

Fractures and dislocations

PreventionEliminate gaps in mesh and perches. Prevent metabolic bone disease to keep bones strong

First aidLimping or swelling: do not touch; rest in a small carrier. Do not give painkillers on your own; see a vet

Fingers or tail caught

PreventionCheck the animal's position before opening or closing doors and sliding partitions. Mesh too small for fingers

First aidAmputation or discoloration: press with clean gauze, apply a cold pack and rush to the vet. Bring the severed part, kept moist

Burns and electric shock

PreventionMesh cover on heaters, cords inside conduit. Install everything assuming dexterous hands will take it apart

First aidCool under running water for 10 minutes. For electric shock, cut the breaker before touching. White or black skin: see a vet immediately

B virus disease

RouteMacaque bites, scratches, saliva; body fluids on mucous membranes

PreventionLethal to humans. Wash wounds for 15+ minutes and seek medical care at once. Always wear protective gear

Tuberculosis

RouteCough droplets, close contact (also human to monkey)

PreventionYearly tuberculin test. Keepers get checkups too. No contact by anyone with a cough

Bacterial dysentery

RouteFeces, contaminated hands, tools, floors

PreventionGloves and handwashing. No eating or drinking in the animal area. Disinfect diarrheic stool before disposal

Simian retroviruses

RouteBites; contact with blood or body fluids

PreventionProtective gear for blood draws and procedures. Always report needlesticks and bites to a doctor

Food

• Primate pellets as the staple, twice a day, amount based on body weight
• Vegetables and leafy greens as side dishes. Fruit only in small amounts a few times a week
• Small amounts of animal protein such as insects or boiled egg. Feed in ways that extend foraging time

Water

• Both a water bottle and a bowl. Check the bottle daily for clogs
• Wash and disinfect bowls daily. Replace water fouled by droppings at once

Toys & play

• Foraging puzzles: food hidden in perforated balls or wooden boxes
• Ropes, logs and hoses to build a three-dimensional climbing route
• Mirrors and noise-making toys only briefly, watching the reaction. Too large to swallow

Nest, bed & hideout

• Wooden sleeping platforms or boxes up high. Blankets in cold weather
• More sight-blocking hideouts than animals, as refuges for weaker individuals

Bedding & litter

• Concrete or resin floor that can be hosed down. Slope it for drainage
• Sawdust or straw only if it won't be eaten. Replace at once when wet
• They do not learn a toilet spot. Pressure-wash and disinfect daily

Cage / housing material

Welded mesh or stainless steel. Double locks; confirm they are locked

Size & space

An enclosure meeting Specified Animal standards. At least 2 m high, with an exercise area

Layout

• Perches and shelves at multiple heights for three-dimensional use
• Feeding port and sliding restraint door so care is possible without entering
• Double-door vestibule to prevent escape and to put on and remove protective gear

Placement notes

• Out of direct sun, wind and rain, with a choice of shade and sun
• Away from passersby and dogs. Noise causes stereotypic behavior

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• No outdoor walks. Several hours of three-dimensional exercise daily in the exercise area
• Allow time for foraging, exploring and grooming to prevent boredom
• Contact with mature animals only with protective gear and through a sliding door, as a rule

Temperature & humidity

Temperature18–28°C. Heater below 10°C; cooling needed above 32°C

Humidity40–70%. Avoid condensation and mold; ensure ventilation

Summer & winter

• Summer: shade, misting, ice blocks with frozen fruit. Watch for heatstroke
• Winter: blankets and windproof the sleeping platform. Check water dispensers for freezing every morning

Nail trimming

Basically unnecessary. Overgrown nails are trimmed by the vet under anesthesia at checkups. Forced restraint leads to bites

Brushing, skin & coat care

No brushing needed. Troop grooming maintains the coat. Hair loss or scabs signal skin disease or self-injury

Other care

At the yearly checkup, do dental scaling, tuberculin test, fecal test and blood work all at once

Protection from predators

• Wild monkeys, rats and wild birds bring in infections. Keep them out
• No contact with dogs or cats. Keep out mosquitoes and ticks with screens and pest control
• Human colds, herpes and tuberculosis are the biggest threat. Anyone unwell is barred from entry

Foreign-body ingestion

They skillfully dismantle and swallow screws, wire, batteries and plastic. Inspect fixtures regularly; vomiting, loss of appetite or no stool means a same-day vet visit

Being stepped on

Being jumped from behind during work is more common than stepping on an animal on the floor. Always work inside the cage with two or more people, after moving the animal out

Getting pinched

Fingers and tails get caught in sliding doors and feeding ports. Call out the animal's position before opening or closing. If caught, do not pull; release slowly

Falls

Falls from height are rare, but animals recovering from anesthesia, elderly or weakened ones do fall. Keep recovery rooms low and pad the floor with mats

Escape

Expert lock-pickers. Double-lock and visually confirm. If one escapes, do not chase; notify the police and local government and leave capture to experts. Lure it into a cage with food

Safe release procedure

1. Freeze, avert your eyes and take a low posture
2. Have another person distract it with food or a spray of water
3. Once it lets go, close the sliding door and isolate it
4. Immediately wash the wound with soap and running water for 15+ minutes

After the release

See a doctor the same day for any wound, however small. For macaques, report it as B virus exposure

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Species, age, weight, last checkup results, photos of stool or vomit. Say that anesthesia will be needed and when it last ate

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call to it and watch for a response through the cage. Do not touch with bare hands
• Count breaths by chest movement. Normal is 30–50 per minute
• Normal heart rate is 120–200 per minute. Check with a hand on the chest

Stopping bleeding

• Press firmly with clean gauze for 5+ minutes. Gloves required
• Raise limbs above the heart. Do not use a tourniquet
• Blood is infectious. Disinfect soiled clothing; do not touch with bare hands

Transport

• A lockable restraint box or transport cage. Keep warm with a blanket and darken it
• Contact a vet who can accept the animal beforehand. Transport with two or more people