Volume 11, July 2012 History of Enrichment in the ILAR Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory • Drivers for Enrichment in Directive 2010/63/EU • Using Enrichment to Improve Welfare & Reduce Suffering • Tailoring Enrichment to GA Mice • Enrichment and Cephalopods • Evaluating Enrichment is Essential • Reporting Enrichment in Research Papers

Volume 12, July 2012

THE

Publisher:Global Research Education and Training, LLC Email: [email protected] Record Website: http://enrichmentrecord.com

A Global View of Environmental Enrichment 4 SPRING 2010 | ENRICHMENTRECORD.COM www.vetbiotech.com IN THIS ISSUE SUMMER 2012 THE Record 2 In Other Words Call for Proposals 5 EDITORIAL BOARD Tim Allen, M.S. 7 Welfare Information Center Upcoming Meetings Genevieve Andrews-Kelly, B.S., LATG History of Enrichment in the ILAR 10 Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals Elizabeth Dodemaide, B.V.Sc., M.A., MACVSc Associate Director, Laboratory Animal Services Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Drivers for Enrichment in Directive 2010/63/EU 13 Karen Froberg-Fejko, V.M.D., President, Bio-Serv Joanne Gere, Founder, BioScience Collaborative Using Enrichment to Improve Welfare & Reduce Suffering 16 G. Scott Lett, Ph.D., CEO, The BioAnalytics Group LLC Jayne Mackta Tailoring Enrichment in GA Mice 20 President & CEO, Global Research Education & Training LLC Emily G. Patterson-Kane, Ph.D. Enrichment and Cephalopods 24 American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Division 29 Kathleen L. Smiler, D.V.M., DACLAM Evaluating Enrichment is Essential Consultant, Laboratory Animal Medicine Rhoda Weiner, Weiner & Associates Resources 33 Joanne Zurlo, Ph.D. Director of Science Strategy The Center for Alternatives to (CAAT) Reporting Enrichment in Research Papers 34

Please direct all inquiries to Enriching Profile 36 Rhoda Weiner, Editor: [email protected] 38 We’d love to hear from you! Meeting up We welcome your comments, observations and contributions to The Enrichment Record. Contributors include lab animal veterinarians, principal investigators, animal care staff, animal behaviorists, animal technologists and members of the bioscience community who promote the 4 Rs: reduction, replacement, refinement and respect.

Share your story ideas with Rhoda Weiner, Editor at [email protected] Guidelines for authors can be accessed at http://enrichmentrecord.com/contribute/

Please give credit where credit is due. Outstanding animal care is truly a team effort, and we ask you to credit colleagues, published reports, articles, and other reference materials that have contributed to your enrichment article. Great ideas don’t happen in a vacuum, and we encourage you to list all sources of inspiration.

The Enrichment Record is not a peer-reviewed journal. However, the Editorial Board of this E-Zine is composed of dedicated volunteers who have extensive experience and expertise in the care of laboratory animals. Members of the Board are involved with all aspects of this publication.

The Enrichment Record is published in October, January, April and July. If you are interested in advertising in The Enrichment Record, please visit: http://enrichmentrecord.com/advertise/

Publisher: GR8 (Global Research Education & Training, LLC) http://enrichmentrecord.com Jayne Mackta, President & CEO

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 1 In Other Words Penny Hawkins The Enrichment Record Research Animals Department is a quarterly E-Zine/Forum for: RSPCA, UK • Discussing environmental enrichment in the optimal care of laboratory animals

• Documenting best practices and approaches for addressing challenges of implementation & assessment at every level

• Sharing data on the impact of environmental enrichment on the science

• Building the case for integrating enrichment into research design

If you are interested in advertising in The Enrichment Record, please visit: http://enrichmentrecord. com/advertise/ or contact GUEST EDITOR Jayne Mackta, Publisher: I’ve been an avid reader and collector of The Enrichment Record [email protected] from the first issue, and I was delighted when Jayne asked me to be the first guest editor. When it comes to promoting enrichment, Advertising deadlines I get very frustrated by the lack of awareness within the general January Issue—December 1 scientific community of the growing body of literature on enrichment April Issue—March 1 evaluation—and also by the way in which information about housing July Issue—June 1 and care is often regarded as irrelevant, with nowhere near enough October Issue—September 1 exchange of ideas or mention in publications.

Advertising Rates But attitudes and awareness are both changing for the better, and Single Issue The Enrichment Record does a fantastic job of helping to get the 1/4 page $350 message out there in a way that is accessible to all. I want to use this 1/2 page $500 issue to take the opportunity of having a look at some current issues Full page $1,000 and ‘seizing the day’ with respect to promoting enrichment. This was prompted by the revision of two major documents that 4 Issues influence the way in which millions of laboratory animals are housed 1/4 page $1,120 and cared for globally; the new European Union (EU) Directive 1/2 page $1,600 (2010/63/EU) and the US Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources Full page $3,200 (ILAR) Guide, which were published in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Both of these include increased emphasis on providing enrichment that The Enrichment Record is species-appropriate and reflects current knowledge, as explained in is an 8.5” x 11” format. the articles by Axel Kornerup Hansen and Dorte Bratbo Sørensen, of the University of Copenhagen, and by the Global Enrichment Committee at Full color; 300 dpi pdfs accepted. Abbott Laboratories, Illinois.

Visit out website— The revisions of the Directive and Guide should prompt facilities browse past issues: to review their provision of enrichment for all species, and reflect on http://enrichmentrecord.com what they currently provide and how this might be improved upon, and I believe that many will do just that. However, there has been a disappointing backlash from some organisations, which have objected

2 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD on the grounds that providing be tailored to different GA mouse I’ve really enjoyed my temporary enrichment costs money and they lines with individual needs. Our editorship and I would like to thank are not convinced of the welfare other animal-specific article is on all of the authors for agreeing so benefits. My overall impression, on enrichment for cephalopods, whose readily to write for this edition and the basis of my involvement in the use will be regulated EU-wide for making it such a useful and revision of the Directive and the for the first time when the new thought-provoking read. We hope high level of liaison that my organ- Directive is implemented on you enjoy it! isation has with working scientists 1 January 2013. Jennifer Mather, and animal technologists and care of the University of Lethbridge, staff, is that most people do take explains how to give cephalopods the view that enrichment benefits a good quality of life. Penny Hawkins Hawkins animals and that this is worth in- Research Animals Department, RSPCA, UK Finally—and to come full circle to vesting in. the beginning of this editorial— However, many assumptions are it’s high time that information about enrichment was fully recognised made about the impact of Penny Hawkins, BSc., Ph.D., as an essential component of the enrichment on both welfare and The Enrichment Record’s first materials and methods section science, and it is of course essen- guest editor is Deputy Head of the of papers, posters and talks. My tial to evaluate these, as discussed Research Animals Department in RSPCA colleague Nikki Osborne in the article by Gilly Griffin of the the Science Group of The Royal gives us a snapshot of the status Canadian Council on Animal Care. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty quo and outlines what improve- Whether providing enrichment can to Animals (RSPCA)—the UK’s ments are needed to achieve better actually help to reduce suffering leading animal welfare nonprofit information sharing for all. experienced by animals undergoing organization. She works to promote procedures is also worth some The articles in this edition of refinements to improve animal serious consideration, and is a The Enrichment Record have housing and care—especially rodents highly topical question in relation to come from people working in a wide and birds—and to assess the welfare the focus on the animal’s lifetime range of different countries and of laboratory animals. Other key experience in the new EU Directive. contexts. All support the principle areas include refining procedures Christina Winnicker and Brianna that carefully considered and to reduce suffering, animal use in Gaskill of Charles River have appropriate enrichment promotes fundamental (basic biology) research, examined this issue for us. better welfare and therefore better and the ethics of animal experi- mentation. She is a member of the Another topical subject included science—and their articles illustrate Animal Procedures Committee (APC), in this edition is enrichment for that this is sufficiently important to the body that advises the secretary genetically altered (GA) mice, be translated into legislation and of state on the implementation of the which is of major importance in regulatory guidelines. Yet adequate UK Animals (Scientific Procedures) relation to laboratory animal enrichment is still not universally Act 1986. Penny has also been welfare because of the sheer applied. There are likely to be a involved in the revision of the number of animals involved— number of reasons, and thus no European guidelines for laboratory which is still increasing globally one way to tackle this problem— , and the year-on-year1. Anne Fawcett of the a combination of legislation, development of the new regulations University of Sydney, New South advocacy and communication is on animal use for EU Directive Wales, explains how enrichment can likely to be required. Perhaps this would be another issue for The 2010/63/EU. 1Zebrafish use is also on the rise—see the Spring 2012 Enrichment Record to tackle! edition of The Enrichment Record for an article on enrichment for zebrafish by Christian Lawrence.

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 3

Enrichment Record Repository

QUESTION: What’s the fastest way for Subscribe to Enrichment to go viral? The Enrichment Record. Get immediate email notification ANSWER: Submit your enrichment posters of new postings. to The Enrichment Record Poster Comment on articles. Repository etbiotech.com/posters2.php Announce meetings. http://www.v Contact Szczepan Baran Share ideas. if you have any questions or problems: Click here to sign up. [email protected] www.enrichmentrecord.com

Call for Proposals! Attention veterinarians, lab technicians, These awards are intended for veterinarians animal technicians, and all who work with and laboratory and animal technicians. They laboratory animals: The Johns Hopkins Center are limited to North American applicants only. for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) is now accepting proposals for the 2012 Each award will be for $6,000. Science-based Refinement Awards (formerly The deadline for proposals is September 28, the Animal Welfare Enhancement Awards). 2012.

The focus of these awards is to elicit scientific evidence to support the enhancement of the housing, handling, and/or experimental situations for laboratory animals.

For information and proposal guidelines, please see: http://caat.jhsph.edu/programs/awards/AWE/2012/index.html

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 5 At the end of your rope looking for Enrichment S olutions?™

Bio-Serv has worked passionately for more than 20 years to develop an extensive line of Environmental Enrichment devices and treats to challenge and capture the interest of research animals.

Not only will we supply you with the products needed to set up or expand your enrichment program, our experienced staff is available to provide guidance and answer any questions you may have about our products and how they are best used as part of a successful program.

To learn more about our enrichment options contact our Enrichment Specialist:

Karena Thek

[email protected] 570-730-6055

800-996-9908 - U. S. and Canada 908-996-2155 - International [email protected] ISO 9001:2008 Certifi ed www.bio-serv.com

© 2012 Bio-Serv Upcoming Meetings To facilitate informed discussion about environmental : A Practical Harmonisation of the Care and Environmental Enrichment Use of Agricultural Animals in enrichment, we have Workshop Research joined the Linkedin September 3-5, 2012 September 26-28, 2012 Biomedical Research Gardermoen Airport, Oslo, Norway Group called Centre ( BPRC) Lange Kleiweg 161 This meeting offers state-of-the-art lectures Laboratory Animal 2288 GJ Rijswijk Zh from internationally recognised experts within Sciences. The Netherlands agricultural animal science and will provide an update on current knowledge as well as an Presented by AnimalConcepts and BPRC opportunity to discuss research needs in an This group allows members Topics will include: informal atmosphere. Topics will include, but • Introduction to enrichment not be limited to: of the laboratory animal sci- • Observation techniques ence community and our • Species specific enrichment • Update on changes in European legislation and • Enrichment Observations international guidelines readers to interact over a • Animal Learning • Positive welfare indicators • Human—animal relationship • Husbandry and environmental enrichment web-based platform to com- • Choice and control • Humane endpoints pare ideas and methods. To • Enrichment schedule development • Update on the latest research in comparative • Implementation and Observation medicine participate, you will need to • Practical exercises • Groupwork to produce a consensus statement create a Linkedin account • Group work on the way ahead, including research needs and then join the Laboratory For more information and registration, please Electronic registration is now open for this visit: http://www.animalconcepts.eu/AnimalCon- international consensus meeting. Please use Animal Sciences Group. cepts/Events/Entries/2012/9/3_Entry_1.html this link: http://www.norecopa.no/sider/ tekstasp?side=21 Enrichment & Behavior Forum It’s easy! It’s free! It’s September 14-15, 2012 Norecopa is the Norwegian Consensus Platform a safe and secure place McKimmon Center for Extension for Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of & Continuing Education Building animal experiments where you can say what’s at North Carolina State University 1101 Gorman Street Innovative Environmental on your mind. Raleigh, NC 27606 Enrichment Symposium Sunday, November 4, 2012 Click here to get started. The Research Triangle Branch of AALAS will host (Satellite to National AALAS) a two-day non-stop enrichment and behavior Hilton Hotel learning opportunity. Dr. will be 100 Marquette Avenue the Keynote speaker. Minneapolis, MN

Highlights include: Hosted by The Massachusetts General • Improvements to the Guide— Better Hospital, Center for Comparative Medicine, Behavioral Management this symposium provides a forum for participants We’re always • Ethologically Relevant Enrichment for rodents, to compare notes on innovative animal enrich- looking for rabbits, and guinea pigs ment programs and how to best determine the • Classical Conditioning effectiveness of those versus current practices. new ideas! • Nesting and Thermoregulation • Humane handling to reduce fear responses Highlights include: Share your ideas in dogs • Developing an enrichment program • A Better Way Than “The Scruff and Stretch” • Negative outcomes of Enrichment with Rhoda Weiner, • Corral: Natural Horsemanship—Conditioning • Social housing Editor at • Treating abnormal behavior in primates • Behavioral conditioning • Physiologic and Behavioral Needs of the • Human-animal interaction and socialization [email protected] Laboratory Rabbit • Enrichment in a GLP environment • Behavioral Conditioning for Laboratory Animals • Determining economic costs and benefits of • Enrichment as Animal Welfare at the enrichment strategies Conservators’ Center • Regulatory considerations in enrichment programs This meeting is approved for 13hrs of continuing education through the North Carolina Veterinary http://www.virtualvivarium.com/about-us/up- Medical Board. coming-events/environmental_Enrichment_Sym- posium.asp For registration and information, please visit: 1 Day: https://www.123signup.com/ register?id=svnbh 2 Day: https://www.123signup.com/ register?id=svprt REMEMBER: Please send notification of your Meals are included with registration. Upcoming Meetings to Rhoda Questions: please contact Weiner at [email protected] Sarah Wall at [email protected]

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 7

In each issue of The Enrichment Record we report Meeting Announcement on Enrichment meetings and conferences in detail. We are seeking volunteers to write summaries of Submission Form Please submit the following information to Rhoda Weiner, Editor [email protected] meetings, workshops, and conferences addressing

any aspect of environmental enrichment for lab organization animals. Meeting organizers are welcome to assign a recorder. To request “Guidelines for Meet- contact Name ing Up Summaries,” send your name, contact and Phone meeting information to [email protected] Email date of Event Name time of event Phone event location

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Conference Workshop Lecture Event Meeting with featured speaker Date Brief description of the evEnt______Time Reporters Wanted!

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Our Readers Tell Us….

Knowing what environmental enrichment is all about— both positives and negatives— is extremely important for my staff. Equally important is how environmental enrichment affects my research. When The Enrichment Record came out, it provided a resource—a one-stop shop!— for Enrichment.

Marcel Perret-Gentil, D.V.M., M.S. University Veterinarian Director, Laboratory Animal Resources Center The University of Texas at San Antonio

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 9 Article Abbott Global Enrichment Committee: Natalie Bratcher, Donna Clemons, and Leticia Medina Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA

History of Enrichment in the ILAR Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

Introduction is acknowledged as an area in Throughout the nearly 50 year need of additional investigation. history of the Institute for Enrichment, like other environ- Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) mental factors, does appear in Guide, little attention or content was some cases to alter an animal’s allocated to the subject of enrich- response to experimental treat- ment until the current (8th) edition ments. A valid case is also made (NRC 2011). Although animal well- that lack of enrichment creates being, social environment, psycho- conditions of elevated stress logical well-being and behavioral reactivity and an abnormal adaptation have been mentioned response to experimental in previous editions, guidance on manipulation (see Griffin (2012) catering for these was not provided. for additional discussion of these For instance, the 4th edition (1972) issues). refers to physical comfort and well-being, and also to the poten- Effects of housing tial for “psychological discomfort” on well-being due to confinement and/or lack of The impact of housing on animal exercise, but enrichment was not The Guide further instructs that the well-being has received increased specifically discussed in the Guide many species and strains of animals attention in the 8th edition of until the 7th edition (1996), where used in research will have varying the Guide. The potential impact 4 index entries were devoted to the needs which must be carefully and of failing to meet animals’ needs subject. In the 8th edition, however, individually assessed while making through appropriate housing there are 22 index entries and doz- judgments about the quality and and enrichment on both animal ens of references on environmental applicability of enrichment options. well-being and scientific enrichment, as well as many more Determining the needs of animals validity is acknowledged with in related areas such as socialization is acknowledged as an area where reference to abnormal brain and behavior management. research is needed, and where development, physiologic current understandings may require dysfunction, and behavioral The 8th edition future adjustment. One example disorders. Special emphasis is The goal of enrichment is, as plainly offered in the Guide is the use of placed on the importance of stated in the new Guide, to enhance marbles for mouse enrichment; sufficient space and structural animal well-being. Consensus however, marble burying is an assay complexity allowing for escape holds that this is best accomplished used in mice to measure anxiety via from aggression, increased through providing housing, social defensive burying. While a marble space requirements for breeding interaction, and/or opportunities may appear to be enriching, based animals, and space quality with for physical or cognitive activity on the animal’s interaction with regard to usability (e.g. complex that are stimulating, enable expres- the object, it may instead be environments may increase sion of instinctive species-specific detrimental to well-being. activity and thus space require- behaviors, and do not inadvertently ments). New evidence is cause physical harm or undue levels The impact of enrichment devices referenced to support the need of stress. and activities on research outcomes for providing animals with

10 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD sufficient resources for thermo- ing of species-typical natural social opportunities for dogs, especially regulation, which can impact behavior’ recognized as key to when required by law, but exercise animal well-being and thus successful social housing. There for other species is often lacking. research outcomes. There is also is also more detail on factors Providing opportunities for increased a section dedicated to bedding and influencing social compatibility and/ animal activity or exercise is an nesting materials with discussion or incompatibility across species. important aspect of enriching and references supporting sub- The Guide provides the example animal housing environments and strate preference and nest of the potential for social stress in enhancing animal welfare. The building behavior in rodents. some strains of mice, if dominant Guide highlights that laboratory While no specific bedding or animals protect shelters placed animals often live in restricted nesting material is identified inside cages. This is an area where environments and suggests that as being the ideal for all species, special attention needs to be given animals’ activity profiles and information and relevant refer- to the husbandry and enrichment natural behaviors should be ences are provided about various program as a whole, to ensure considered when evaluating bedding and nesting types and that enrichment does not increase suitable housing or assessing potential impact in various strains. behaviors with negative conse- behavior. Lack of exercise can lead quences (e.g. fighting) in socially to muscle weakening, obesity and Social housing housed animals. has also been implicated as a cause as enrichment of stereotypic behaviors. Today, Single housing is referenced in The 8th edition of the Guide many new cage designs promote regard to both housing and places more emphasis on space exercise of laboratory animals management, with special attention allocations and group size, through pair or group housing. placed on provision of veterinary although it states that making Current innovations include pri- care, space, and enrichment for absolute recommendations can mate housing that interconnects for animals if it is necessary to singly be challenging because studies upward, sideways and downward house them for veterinary or have evaluated a range of differ- mobility, dog pens, and hanging justified scientific reasons. Single ent factors relating to group size metal rings that can facilitate rodent housing of social species is and housing conditions, and their exercise within home cages. differing impacts on behavior recognized as an exception and and experimental outcomes. Simi- exposure to compatible conspecifics, Human interaction lar factors are considered for or positive interaction with animal Human interaction is mentioned in nonhuman primates and the Guide care staff, is recommended. the last two versions of the Guide acknowledges that species-specific as providing benefit to dogs, cats, Exercise rabbits and many other animals. factors must be taken into The new Guide doesn’t differ Development of a socialization consideration when determining significantly from the previous program for dogs, cats, rabbits, group composition. edition with regard to discussions swine or other species is one way about exercise, but it is useful Both the benefits and potential to promote positive human to review what it recommends. detriment of social housing under interaction. The benefits of such In our view, most laboratory some circumstances are more a program include enhanced animal programs in the US do an clearly defined in the 8th edition socialization of the animals, of the Guide, with ‘an understand- adequate job of providing exercise continued on page 12

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 11 History of Enrichment in the ILAR Guide continued from page 11

increased exercise, easier animal enrichment program appropriately proceed with extreme caution in handling, opportunities for positive promotes animal well-being. Like- proposing new guidelines to ensure reinforcement training and greater wise, researchers must assure that that they are based on scientific employee morale. For facilities the enrichment provided is consis- evidence whenever possible. that have adoption programs, tent with the goals of their research. This should further stimulate the increased socialization eases the The Guide emphasizes that enrich- scientific community to lead the transition from research to the ment can act as an independent efforts in providing the scientific data ‘forever’ home environment. variable affecting animal phenotype to support acceptable care and use and possibly experimental outcome, standards for the various laboratory Psychological well-being and therefore must be appropriately animal species rather than recom- of the nonhuman primate controlled. This team approach mendations based on hypothetical While not addressed in a separate ensures that enrichment is part grounds alone. Notably, over the past section or chapter of the Guide, of a well-designed strategy and several decades, there have been special requirements for the is carefully managed. a growing number of scientific psychological well-being of these publications about refining the way highly intelligent and complex Although record keeping of enrich- we care for and work with laboratory animals are scattered throughout ment is not specifically addressed animals, providing clear evidence the book. In multiple areas, the in the new Guide, it does imply that animal welfare has been benefits of training animals to be that documentation should exist increasingly recognized as essential cooperative (e.g. with dosing), to facilitate review by the various to good science and good manage- special housing requirements stakeholders. Some current ment. It naturally follows that given (e.g. vertical space, perches), approaches include developing this change, environmental and behavioral enrichment through an Ethics Committee guideline or behavioral enrichment are more use of foraging, puzzle feed- overview about the enrichment strongly emphasized throughout the ers, manipulation of objects, program and how it is managed, 8th edition of the Guide. As we learn novelty, and social structure are or committing the program to more about the various laboratory addressed. The need to provide specific Standard Operating animal species, we believe that the animals with choice, social Procedures (SOPs) for GLP study way we care for laboratory animals interaction, avoidance of social environments. The Guide also will continue to evolve towards conflict, variety, and mental clarifies that the program should adoption of more naturalistic stimulation is emphasized. be updated as needed to reflect environments that promote current knowledge. Although not species-appropriate behaviors, Oversight of enrichment specifically stated in the Guide, Responsibility for oversight of an and with a better understanding a good practice may be to include environmental enrichment of variability from environmental a biannual update in the semiannual program is addressed for the factors and behavioral stressors. program review. first time in the 8th edition of the Development of enrichment Guide. It clarifies that enrichment Conclusion strategies based on sound scientific programs should be reviewed by With the recent update to the Guide, data will ensure that enrichment three different groups of stake- there was some controversy about does not become a deterrent to good holders including the IACUC, several of the changes, such as the science and actually promotes better researchers and veterinarians. cost of adopting and implementing science and animal welfare. This approach to oversight new cage sizes for breeding rodents. References recognizes environmental There was valid concern about the Griffin, G. (2012). The Three enrichment as an important lack of available scientific evidence Es—Evaluating Enrichment is Essential. Enrichment Record July 2012. aspect of a quality animal care to prove that the larger cage sizes and use program. The attend- would provide any real benefit to the National Research Council (2011). Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory ing veterinarian and IACUC are rodents. The biomedical and animal Animals (8th edn). National Academies charged to assure that the welfare advocacy communities must Press, Washington, DC.

12 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD Article Dorte Brabo Sørensen and Axel Kornerup Hansen Section of Biomedicine, Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Drivers for Enrichment in Directive 2010/63/EU

Introduction an environment, food, water and The revised European Union (EU) care which are appropriate to their Directive regulating the care health and well-being’ and ‘any and use of animals for scientific restrictions on the extent to which purposes was adopted in 2010 and an animal can satisfy its physiologi- must be transposed into the national cal and ethological needs are kept to law of each EU Member State a minimum’. It is important to note on 1 January 2013 (European that the requirements for appropri- Commission 2010). Like the ate accommodation are general for previous Directive from 1986, the all species within the scope of the new Directive 2010/63/EU sets out Directive 2010/63, i.e. all verte- minimum standards for housing and brates and cephalopods, which are care, but a new development in the the species covered. The legislation legislation is the incorporation of ascribes equal rights to all, so those many enrichment initiatives and species such as dogs, cats and actions as ‘must’s and ‘shall’s in- primates that have been considered stead of the previous ‘could’s ‘higher animals’ are no more impor- or ‘should’s. tant than rodents when providing enrichment. Otherwise, this para- This paper will focus on the inten- From an animal welfare point of graph is unspecific with respect to tions of the Directive and possible view this seems—at first glance— what enrichment might comprise. to be quite an improvement, as interpretations, offering suggestions enrichment is recognised as a for areas to focus on when apply- More detail on housing and mandatory need, not a choice. ing its requirements for enrichment. enrichment is provided in Annex III However, even though the legisla- Even though there is much empha- and—as with Article 33—the require- tion has been tightened with the sis on animal welfare and the ments in its general introduction aim of ensuring a more animal Three Rs throughout the Directive, concern all animal species within welfare focused treatment of we will focus on Article 33, on the scope of the legislation. our experimental animals, how ‘care and accommodation’, and on Annex III differs significantly from effectively this is implemented will Annex III which sets out require- the previous Directive in two depend largely on the people ments for animal housing and important ways with respect to responsible for the animals at husbandry. In these sections, enrichment. First, it goes into the user, supplier and breeding concepts like the environment of the more detail about what enrich- establishments. It is our joint animals, their behavioural needs and ment aims to achieve; second, it responsibility to read the new enrichment are explicitly mentioned. uses the term ‘shall’ rather than Directive with an open mind and a ‘should’. For example, Annex III Care, accommodation and will to apply the spirit, as well as Section A requires that ‘All facili- needs of the animal the letter, of the law. Undertaking ties shall be constructed so as to The wording of Article 33 is very animal experimentation calls for a provide an environment which takes similar to the previous Directive, strict and clear logic, but empathy into account the physiological and requiring Member States to with the animals and a sincere will ethological needs of the species kept ‘ensure that…all animals are to optimize their welfare are also in them’. The phrase ‘ethological provided with accommodation, essential. continued on page 14

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 13 Directive 2010/63/EU continued from page 13

needs’ should encompass the need to perform certain behaviours, even if the functional consequences of a behaviour are already met (for example, hens perform nest- building behaviour sequences during the pre-laying period, even if a previously-built nest is still avail- able). Failure to meet ethological needs may not result in death or decreased ; nevertheless, the animal may suffer as there is a strong internal motivation to perform these behaviours (Hughes & Duncan 1988).

The Annex also states that ‘All animals shall be provided with space of sufficient complexity to allow expression of a wide range of normal behaviour’. This sounds Clicker training a pig good, but the requirement is open for free interpretation as to the level a degree of control and choice over behaviours without excessive food at which the cages, pens or tanks their environment to reduce stress- intake (Kasanen et al. 2009a, of the animals can be enriched. induced behaviour. Environmental 2009b). How wide is ‘wide’? Should we enrichment in animal enclosures provide caging high enough for rats shall be adapted to the species and In reality, the emphasis on control to rear upright? Should we provide individual needs of the animals and choice encapsulates two kinds burrowing opportunities for gerbils? concerned’. In light of these of enrichment: environmental Should grazing be an integral part statements, it seems reasonable enrichment and cognitive enrich- of the daily lives of all ruminant lab to conclude that the kinds of ment (Mantueffel et al. 2009a, animals? And should foraging for behavioural needs listed above Puppe et al. 2007). The term food be reinforced by providing should be catered to when possible. ‘environmental enrichment’ is suitable substrates with hidden Although there will unfortunately traditionally used with reference food, e.g. for rooting behaviour in be circumstances when this is not to features or stimuli in the pigs and scratching and pecking possible1, some natural behaviours environment that add complexity, behaviour in chickens? can be facilitated fairly easily. For thus allowing or promoting natural example, providing foraging activi- behaviour such as foraging and Further guidance on questions such ties for animals such as rodents is nest building. However, ‘cognitive as these is forthcoming from the straightforward, since adding seeds enrichment’ relates to environ- requirements that: ‘Establishments and grains to the clean litter when mental features or stimuli that can shall have appropriate enrichment changing rodents’ cages stimulates stimulate perceptive and cognitive techniques in place, to extend the foraging behaviour, but this is often processes for operant learning of range of activities available to the still not done. Foraging opportunities discriminatory cues, which leads animals and increase their coping for rodents can be developed further to a better active control of the activities including physical exercise, by using modified ‘diet boards’ filled environment and a positive foraging, manipulative and cogni- with preferred and palatable food anticipatory mental state tive activities, as appropriate to the that the animals must actively gnaw (Mantueffel et al. 2009a). In this species’ and animals ‘shall be given to obtain, which fulfils natural way, animals can increase their

14 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD cognitive activities and experience would actually do this, but References control and choice, all of which is Directive Article 27 states that European Commission (2010). Directive likely to lead to better welfare. the Animal Welfare Body2 should 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament ‘establish and review internal and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on It could be argued that simply the protection of animals used for scientific operational processes as regards purposes. Official Journal of the European providing food ad libitum also monitoring, reporting and follow-up Union L276: 33-79. induces control and choice, as the in relation to the welfare of animals animals are able to decide when to Hughes, B.O. and Duncan, I.J.H. (1988). housed or used in the establish- The notion of ethological ‘need’, models eat. However, if control and choice of motivation and animal welfare. ment’. Reviewing and updating are to be welfare-enhancers and Animal Behaviour 36: 1696-1707. enrichment strategies must clearly reduce stress, we need to provide be seen to fall within this task. Kasanen, I.H.E., Inhilä, K.J., Nevalainen, J.I., different stimuli to choose from, Väisänen, S.B., Mertanen, A.M.O., Mering, S.M. What is meant by ‘regularly’ is also and Nevalainen, T.O. (2009a). A novel dietary different situations to choose not defined, but at least this term restriction method for group-housed rats: between, and situations that can weight gain and clinical chemistry provides a tool for the authorities characterization. Laboratory Animals 43: be controlled by the animals. Being to ensure that enrichment in the 138-148. in control actually means that the animal facilities is based upon animal possesses knowledge of the Kasanen, I.H.E., Inhilä, K.J., Vainio, O.M., current knowledge and is included Kiviniemi, V.V., Hau, J., Scheinin, M., Mering, consequences of his actions, and the S.M. and Nevalainen, T.O. (2009b). The diet in project evaluation. lack of such knowledge has been board: welfare impacts of a novel method of dietary restriction in laboratory rats. demonstrated to lead to a high level Conclusion Laboratory Animals 43: 215-223. of distress (Mantueffel et al. 2009b). The revised Directive emphasizes Manteuffel, G., Langbein, J. and Puppe, B the provision of a stimulating and One way to provide control, choice (2009a). From operant learning to cognitive welfare-promoting environment enrichment in farm animal housing: bases and and knowledge of consequences is applicability. Animal Welfare 18: 87-95. for our laboratory animals, making to introduce sessions with positive environmental and cognitive Manteuffel, G., Langbein, J., and Puppe, B. reinforcement training, where (2009b). Increasing farm animal welfare by enrichment mandatory. By animals—by interacting with the positively motivated instrumental behaviour. increasing the emphasis on and Applied Animal Behaviour Science 118: animal trainer—can obtain rewards explicit reference to enrichment 191-198. (e.g. food) by performing behav- in the new Directive, the European Puppe, B., Ernst, K., Schön, P.C., iours asked for by the trainer. In a Commission has shown us the and Manteuffel, G. (2007). Cognitive positive reinforcement training enrichment affects behavioural reactivity in right direction. But the actions in set-up, the animal chooses to either domestic pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour practice, the degree of enrichment Science 105: 75-86. participate or withdraw from the and the specific items needed for training; moreover, the training Sørensen, D.B. (2010). Never wrestle with each species are very vague and a pig...Laboratory Animals 44: 159-161. per se is cognitively stimulating as wide open for interpretation. the animal needs to learn and Dudink, S., Simonse, H., Marks, I., de Jonge, Basically it is up to us—the F.H., and Spruijt, B.M. (2006). Announcing remember which actions on which researchers, the designated the arrival of enrichment increases play cues will lead to rewards (Sørensen behaviour and reduces weaning-stress-induced veterinarians, the Animal Welfare behaviours of piglets directly after weaning. 2010). When done correctly, positive Body and the animal technologists Applied Animal Behaviour Science 101: reinforcement training also induces 86-101. and care staff—to keep on working a state of anticipation, which has to continuously increase the level van der Harst, J.E., Baars, A.M., and Spruijt, been demonstrated to counteract B.M. (2005). Announced rewards counteract and quality of enrichment. the effects of social stress in rats the impairment of anticipatory behaviour in socially stressed rats. Behavioural Brain and enhance playfulness and reduce Research 161: 183-189. aggression in pigs (van der Harst 1It may also be undesirable; for example high levels et al. 2005, Dudink et al. 2006). of aggression in males of some species may be ‘natural’ but can also cause serious health and welfare problems in laboratory housing. Finally, Annex III requires that 2A body required under the Directive to carry out ‘enrichment strategies in establish- certain tasks relating to the application of the Three Photos courtesy of: Dorte Brabo Sørensen ments shall be regularly reviewed Rs, animal welfare and facility management at a local level, complementing the central implementation of and updated’. It does not say who the national legislation by the competent authority.

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 15 Article Christina Winnicker and Brianna Gaskill Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., Wilmington, MA, USA

Using Enrichment to Improve Welfare and Reduce Suffering

European Directive 2010/63/EU variety of structural and manipu- requires that accommodation and latable materials has been shown care are refined so as to minimize to decrease tumor development in suffering, and that the lifetime mouse models of melanoma and experience of the animal is taken colon cancer (Cao et al 2010). into account when assessing the At first glance, this may appear actual severity of procedures. So, discouraging for the implementa- with respect to these requirements, tion of enrichment in tumor devel- how does one go about assessing opment models. However, further ‘lifetime suffering’ and can we use investigation has shown that the enrichment to reduce it? First, let’s cause of the decrease is due to consider suffering. Suffering has upregulation in brain derived been defined as ‘a negative neurotropic factor, (BNDF), emotional state derived from potentially opening the door adverse physical, physiological and to development of treatment psychological circumstances’ strategies involving this pathway (Morton & Hau 2002). The term q RSPCA (Cao et al 2010). Other studies ‘suffering’ is typically associated natural living or allowing animals have shown increased immune with pain, and implies a longer- to perform natural behaviors; and function and survival after immune lived, chronic, or relentless subjective experiences or positive or challenge in socially and physically suppression of physiologic or negative affective states (Fraser et enriched environments (Schapiro behavioral stability or fulfillment. al 1997, 2000). et al 2000, Schapiro 2002, Procedures which induce pain, Benaroya-Milshtein et al 2007). such as surgery, are addressed Biological functioning: This evidence suggests that with medications: anesthesia and Any alteration from normal environments deprived of social analgesia. Depending on the biologic function can be considered interaction or enrichments may procedure performed, this pain may an indicator of a change in welfare decrease immune responses, be short lived, but it is doubtful (Duncan & Fraser 1997). That is, interfering with vaccine testing, that anyone would argue that these any animal that has disease, or immunotherapy work, and other acute negative experiences are less does not reproduce or grow well, immune-mediated disease models. important to alleviate than chronic potentially has poor welfare. ones. It is perhaps best to assume Certainly, a state of poor health, Environmental enrichment has that any negative alteration in if left unresolved, could be consid- also been linked to improved wound animal welfare may constitute some ered to cause suffering. The state healing (Vitalo et al 2012) and degree of suffering. Therefore, of health of research animals is not improved recovery from spinal we plan to address any negative only a moral concern but can also cord injury (Berrocal et al 2007). alteration in animal welfare in this affect the validity of the research Reduction in the amount of time article. Alterations in animal welfare model. Environmental enrichment needed to heal from these tissue are generally assessed based on can certainly have an effect on an damage models is likely to reduce three concepts: biological function- animal’s overall health. For example, the cumulative suffering the animals ing or physiological alterations; an environment enriched with a may experience. In addition to

16 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD cancer, immunity, and wound in a natural environment, even if addition, nests provide cover and healing, enriched environments that environment comes with risk protection from predators. The have shown effects on heart rate and struggle, are suffering. Whether absence of a retreat space has (HR) and mean arterial blood you consider the everyday life been shown to be stressful in vari- pressure (MAP). Socially housed of an animal in the laboratory ous species (Morgan & Tromberg rats had resting HR and MAP values to constitute suffering or not, 2007). Thus, the drive to build and consistently lower than their certainly life in the lab comes with maintain a nest is a basic and individually housed counterparts, inherent stressors that we have a constant behavioral need for mice, as well as significantly lower HR and moral obligation to attempt to driven by metabolic and behavioral MAP increases in response to acute alleviate through refinements in motivations. The provision husbandry and experimental techniques, care, and husbandry. of materials that allow mice to procedures (Sharp et al 2002). build a structurally sound nest can Laboratories often do not allow for potentially alleviate that behavioral control over stressors present in Alleviating behavioral frustration, plus allow the animals artificial environments. Behavior, frustration: to behaviorally thermoregulate, Our anthropocentric view of the particularly in highly adaptable reducing cold stress. Providing mice world means that we find it easiest species like , allows with control over these stressors to identify pain or tissue damage animals to control parts of their has been associated with better as suffering. What about the less environment to improve survival in reproductive performance and obvious scenarios? Is it possible for the wild. Mice, for instance, respond improved feed conversion, as well animals to suffer if prevented from to cold with thermotaxis (locomotion as likely resulting in improved achieving a goal they are motivated away from stressful temperatures), welfare (Gaskill et al 2011). to accomplish? While we acknowl- and with huddling and nest build- edge that the definition of suffering ing (Gordon 1993, Latham & Mason Chronic and uncontrollable stress- can be subjective, and perhaps the 2004). However, in the research ors in an animal’s environment use of the word ‘suffering’ may not environment, relocation is unlikely, (whether physical or psychological) be appropriate in this instance, we huddling may be limited or insuffi- can lead to undesirable behaviors can still explore the potential use of cient depending on the number such as stereotypies (Mason & enrichment to alleviate behavioral of mice in the cage, and nest Latham 2004, Frasier 2008). frustration. The level of suffering building may be ineffective if proper The occurrence of stereotypic experienced from behavioral nesting materials are not provided behavior is often associated with frustration may well be less than (Gordon 1993, Hess et al 2008, poor welfare and these animals that experienced from a painful Gaskill et al 2012). Recommended have neurostructural and procedure. However, frustration is laboratory temperatures are below functional differences from their more likely to endure for longer the mouse’s lower critical tempera- non-stereotyping counterparts than the time it takes a wound to ture of 30 oC (Gordon 1993) and (Garner & Mason 2002). Stereo- heal. Behavioral frustration is also mice of different ages, strains, and typic digging in gerbils has been not as easily measured as changes sexes prefer different temperatures hypothesized to be due to in physiology, but with behavioral at different times of day (Ogilvie & the drive to create a burrow. paradigms and new methods of Stinson 1966, Eedy & Ogilvie 1970, However, when the right combina- measuring motivation, the animal’s Gordon et al 1998, Gaskill et al tion of enrichments is provided, drive to complete these goals can 2009, 2011, 2012). When provided such as a tunnel with an end be quantified and compared. structurally appropriate nesting chamber, stereotypic digging Enrichment is an obvious tool that material, mice will build nests of is significantly reduced can be used to alleviate some types varying quality depending on (Wiedenmayer 1997). Thus, of behavioral frustration. Some their thermal needs (Gordon 1993, in addition to this enrichment might argue that animals not living Gaskill et al 2011, 2012). In continued on page 18

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 17 Improve Welfare and Reduce Suffering continued from page 17

potentially alleviating behavioral ible with the protocol. This type of evidence that animals can frustration and preventing an enrichment intervention could also experience positive affective states abnormal behavior, it may result be used for the alleviation of pain in comes from vocalizations in rats in neurologically and behaviorally inflammatory induced models where (Burgdorf et al 2008, 2011,Webber normal, or more stable, animal anti-inflammatories may interfere et al 2012); for example, 50 khz models. While this may seem most with the mechanism of model creation. vocalizations are generally elicited important for neurodevelopmen- during play between conspecifics, tal, neuroanatomy and behavioral The belief that most animals can mating, or even when being tickled models, work like that of Cao et al experience fear is widely accepted by humans (Burgdorf & Panksepp (2010), showing the effects of BDNF and the alleviation of this negative 2001, Burgdorf et al 2008, Cloutier on tumor models, may suggest affective state is built into the 5 & Newberry 2008). If we can more wide-reaching effects. Thus freedoms: the freedom from measure positive affective states, alleviation of behavioral frustration, hunger and thirst; the freedom we can determine the overall or behavioral suffering, may from discomfort; the freedom from psychological well-being of captive improve the cumulative welfare pain, injury or disease; the freedom animals and move toward actively of the animals as well as the validity to express normal behavior, and improving their quality of life. of the science they are used for. the freedom from fear and distress (Brambell Committee 1965). We Conclusions Subjective experiences: believe animals can experience fear, Enrichments appear to improve Subjective experiences are even but assessing fear and other less welfare through improved biologi- more difficult to measure and widely accepted affective states, let cal functioning, the opportunity to assess than behavioral frustration. alone determining if enrichment can achieve behavioral goals, and may Therefore, the measurement of improve them, is difficult. However, also improve overall affective state. affective state, anthropomorphically determining affective states, We’re past the point where it’s just referred to as feelings or emotions, whether positive or negative, is an assumption that an enriched is a developing area of research. quickly becoming a hot topic in environment is better than an Could social housing or environ- . One study unenriched one, and we doubt mental enrichment contribute to found that mice in enriched environ- that anyone would argue that the alleviation of either acute or ments self-administer lower doses enrichment, when ethologically chronic pain (both of which cause of anxiolytic drugs than mice in sound, is anything but good for an negative affective states)? In recent standard laboratory cages animal’s welfare. Irrespective of years, a growing body of literature (Sherwin & Olsson 2004). This where we draw the line between on this subject has supported the simple measure suggests that frustration and suffering, improv- ‘pain decreasing’ effect of enriched animals in unenriched environments ing biological function, alleviating environments (Gabriel et al 2010a are more anxious, and therefore behavioral frustration, and an and b, Pham et al 2010). The ability self-administer a drug to reduce improved affective state are all to decrease the need for or amount that negative state. Another clever desirable goals. of analgesic medication (Pham et al behavioral paradigm, that essen- Enrichment is an environmental 2010), or to provide analgesic effect tially asks animals if a glass is half alteration: depending on what is through attentional shift (Gental empty or half full, found that being studied and what enrichment & Tilston 1999) would be a refine- animals in enriched environments is employed, there is a definite ment that decreases animal pain in are more likely to view a neutral possibility of affecting results. We research paradigms where analge- stimulus as positive (Burman et al would argue, however, that this sics might interfere with research 2008, Mendl et al 2009). The shouldn’t be justification for the parameters without interfering with unenriched animals react to the elimination of the provision of the science—and the approach could same stimulus with a negative enrichment. The question is: will be used to augment the effects of response, in essence viewing the it affect the results for the better? analgesics where these are compat- situation as half empty. Additional More stable physiology, normal

18 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD neurologic development, displays of welfare: goals, methods, and measures of suc- Mason, G. J. and Latham, N. R. (2004). cess. In Progress in the Reduction, Refinement Can’t stop, won’t stop: is a reliable normal behavior, and an improved and Replacement of Animal Experimentation animal welfare indicator? Animal Welfare 13: affective state should be a win-win Vol. 31B Developments in Animal and Veteri- 57-69. for science and animal welfare. nary Sciences (eds M. Balls, A. M. VanZeller and M. E. Halder), pp 1283-1293. Mendl, M., Burman, O. H. P., Parker, R. M. A. and Paul, E. S. (2009). as References Fraser, D., Weary, D. M., Pajor, E. A. and an indicator of animal emotion and welfare: Benaroya-Milshtein, N. et al. (2007). Environ- Milligan, B. N. (1997). A scientific conception Emerging evidence and underlying mecha- mental enrichment augments the efficacy of of animal welfare that reflects ethical nisms. 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SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 19 Article Anne Fawcett, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Tailoring Enrichment to GA Mice

Introduction manifested as a physical disability Philosopher and ethicist Professor or disorder, behavioural problems recently wrote that such as anxiety, altered social animal researchers should “do behaviours or a combination the utmost to minimise animal of all of these. suffering arising in the course of For example, in one study which animal research, and maximise the looked at 87 GA mouse strains, animal’s ability to live a life where 36 per cent experienced discom- the interests and needs flowing fort (Thon et al. 2002). For 21 from its biological and psychological per cent, this was classified as nature are respected” (Rollin 2012). minor (mice with increased But in the case of genetically altered aggression, lymphoma or a (GA) mice, biological and psycho- weakened immune response), logical nature—or phenotype—may while 15 per cent experienced be highly variable. In such cases, severe discomfort (cystic fibrosis, flexibility, creativity and informa- diabetes, seizures, malformation tion-sharing are required to tailor of the skull or rectal prolapse). environmental enrichment (EE) In addition to this, 30 per such that the basic needs of these cent of strains had increased animals are satisfied while ensuring mortality, disease incidence and the minimal number of animals susceptibility to disease. is used. Genetic alteration may also Genetic alteration may GA mice, researchers may require fewer animals in a study (Brown & lead to changes in emotional- adversely affect phenotype ity, anxiety and predisposition to An increasing number of GA mice— Murray 2006) or be able to reduce psychological stress (Cook et al. including transgenic mice, severity. 2002), all of which may adversely knock-out and knock-in mice, It is important to note that being affect welfare. For example, chimeras and clones—are used genetically altered does not genetic alteration may lead to an in laboratories worldwide. Ethical necessarily adversely impact the aggressive phenotype (Miczek and welfare issues arise not only welfare of an individual animal in et al. 2001), which is stressful due to the use and husbandry of itself, but the impact of genetic to victims and may necessitate these mice, but also in the creation alteration on the animal’s phenotype individual housing of mice. Some and breeding of particular strains may cause welfare problems due strains are more likely to develop (Government 2007, Brown & Murray to the expression of modified or stereotypies than others (Mason 2006, Fawcett 2012). For example, deleted genes, the position of 2006), and may be more likely to more animals may be required to a modified gene on the genome, do so in a particular environment. create and maintain each GA line, interactions between gene products, To ensure that appropriate steps prompting a high rate of wastage disruption of normal physiologi- are taken to minimise suffering, (Buehr et al. 2003). On the other cal processes or a poor fit between it is vital that investigators hand, by targeting particular the new strain and its environment understand the impact of genetic aspects of a medical condition using (Wells et al. 2006). These could be alteration on mice and explore all

20 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD possible ways to reduce this, (for example, individual housing institution of origin and databases including tailored husbandry for aggressive strains) is not ideal such as the Mouse Genome refinements. This is particularly as it does not address the underly- Informatics Database challenging when little is known ing welfare problem and may lead (www.informatics.jax.org) and about a new GA strain. Where to frustration. It is better to try to Eumorphia (www.eumorphia.org). possible, investigators should predict the behaviour of a specific • Behaviourally, the majority of familiarise themselves with all GA line and plan EE to address any GA mice are similar to the available data on strain-specific problems. background strain. Therefore, and transgene-mediated health There are several approaches to when seeking EE, a good starting conditions so they can be help achieve this: point would be EE that works well addressed in a timely manner. for the background strain • A literature search should be (Pascalle van Loo, pers. comm.). Tailoring EE to GA phenotype done on the line in question. Importantly, phenotype affects For example, if publications • Investigators should evaluate the husbandry requirements—often mention that a line is especially effectiveness of EE modifications dramatically so. It has been anxious, it would be prudent to and be prepared to revise hypothesised that mouse behav- ensure that adequate nesting protocols as necessary iour is simpler and less flexible material and in-cage shelters are (see Griffin 2012). than rat behaviour (Whishaw et provided, and that the husbandry Using EE to alleviate adverse al. 2001). The upshot of this regime and site of cages ensures phenotypic effects difference between mice and rats minimal disturbance1. The majority of modifications made is that alterations in genotype and • Collaboration and information for GA mice (and indeed non-GA phenotype may alter behaviour sharing between researchers, strains) are alterations in housing radically between mouse strains. animal technologists and and husbandry rather than EE per So while it is accepted that enrich- carers, veterinarians and the se, for example easier access to ment is provided to encourage and ethics or animal care and use feed if mobility is reduced; the use maintain normal, species-specific committee are essential to ensure of gel feeds as complete nutritional behaviour, this is complicated by that all information about replacements for muscular the fact that ‘normal’ can be very phenotype and appropriate EE is dystrophy models which cannot different for different GA lines. recorded and shared. climb or stand well and have weak Furthermore, it may be necessary jaw muscles; increased litter to decide for each line what may • Specific husbandry advice about changes for diabetic models to deal be ‘good’ normal (e.g. increased individual GA strains should be with their increased urination; and activity levels) and what is ‘bad’ sought from the supplier, use of cellulose litter for BALB/c or harmful normal behaviour (e.g. models without eyelashes to excessive anxiety or aggression). 1However, in the case of anxiety-inducing genetic alterations, managing the animals may require a prevent dust irritation (Jenny The challenge for researchers ‘less is more’ approach that avoids exacerbating the Kingham, pers. comm.). This is to devise husbandry and EE neophobic tendencies that mice sometimes exhibit naturally. Providing the basics of shelter to allow the approach has implications for the strategies that facilitate positive animals to retreat, appropriate materials for nest building and security and food items in the litter to science as well as welfare, as or neutral behaviour and discour- encourage foraging, together with a familiar scent phenotypic expression may be age negative behaviour. Simply (retaining a small proportion of litter from the soiled cage in the new box) is perhaps all that is needed radically altered by aspects of blocking undesirable behaviour for their well-being (Peter Johnson, pers. comm.). continued on page 22

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 21 Tailoring Enrichment to GA Mice continued from page 21

husbandry and housing (Wells et al. Interactions with enrichment 2006). items can help to monitor Some examples: well-being Phenotyping can provide some • Pathology of blood vessels in information that is relevant to fibulin-4+/- mice was reduced welfare status, but it is not the when mice were provided with same as welfare assessment. larger cages containing a shelf, For this reason, non-invasive, ladder, exercise wheel and plastic structured welfare assessments tube, suggesting that approprate should also be carried out to EE may counteract negative ensure that the needs of GA mice effects of genotype (Cudilo et al. are met. For a list of standard 2007). welfare indicators for GA mice, • Vascular dysfunction in the see Wells et al (2006). brains of TgCRND8 mice Personnel responsible for animal (carrying human APPSwedish+Indiana) was counteracted by EE care and husbandry should be consisting of a wooden scaffolding, trained to observe and assess plastic inset and additional the effects of EE and to identify nesting material, as well as an adverse or abnormal behaviours additional cage accessed by a (ILAR 2011). This should include tunnel (Herring et al. 2008). The monitoring whether GA lines are additional cage contained using enrichment as expected. gnawing wood and a sisal rope. For example, failure to construct Additionally, objects including proper nests, avoidance of tunnels, balls, soft materials and climbing structures or not using ‘locomotive substrates’ including chewing blocks as normal could wooden ramps, ladders, plastic indicate a welfare problem, in stairs and running wheels were which case a welfare assessment provided. Further studies have should be undertaken. shown that transgenic Alzheimer The impact of housing, husbandry disease model mice with access to and EE on mouse welfare and EE showed a reduced rate of experimental variability should cognitive decline and anxiety- also be assessed for each GA related behaviour (Herring et al. • Anecdotal reports suggest that strain used and reviewed on a 2011). transgenic ‘waltzer’ mice provided regular basis to ensure they are with circular guards that they • Survival in transgenic Huntington’s consistent with both facilitating could leap in and out of exhibited disease model R6/2 mice was animal well-being and the goals reduced anxiety (Hawkins 2002). improved in those exposed daily of the animal use (ILAR 2011). EE may not alleviate all adverse to a playground box containing Consistent husbandry is vital to effects due to the phenotype, in wheels and other toys (Wood et ensure that the line is not mis- which case researchers will need al. 2010). Importantly, this study characterised, since environment to consider other strategies, such found a marked difference in can have more of an impact on as modifications in general response to EE according to sex phenotype than genetic alteration. husbandry and the use of and genotype. On this basis, the alternate animal models to authors recommend tailoring EE Conclusion improve the welfare of mice used The welfare of GA mice will to individual animals. in experiments. continue to improve if information

22 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD about husbandry and EE modifica- Davies (Cardiff University) and different molecular mechanisms. Neurobiology tions is shared. At present, very Penny Hawkins (RSPCA UK) for their of Disease 42: 530-538. little strain-specific information valuable suggestions and comments. Herring, A., Yasin, H., Ambree, O., Sachser, N., on husbandry or EE is provided Peter Johnson collated responses Paulus, W. and Keyvani, K. (2008). Environmental enrichment counteracts in passports or by breeders. to the Draft Guidelines for the Alzheimer’s neurovascular dysfunction in Successful EE modifications, Housing of Mice in Scientific TgCRND8 mice. Brain Pathology 18: 32-39. along with refinements related Institutions (Animal Welfare Unit, ILAR (2011). Guide for the Care and Use of to housing, feeding and husbandry, New South Wales Department of Laboratory Animals, 8th edn. Washington, should be included on GA pass- Primary Industries) and provided D.C., National Academies Press. ports to ensure that research is invaluable suggestions. Mason, G. (2006). Strain differences in cage stereotypies of laboratory mice. In: Mason, not duplicated or unnecessarily References and further reading G. and Rushen, J. (eds.) Stereotypic Animal replicated and that the animals Behaviour: Fundamentals and Applications to Brown, M. J. and Murray, K. A. (2006). get what they need (Osborne et Welfare, 2nd edn Cambridge, MA.: CABI. Phenotyping of genetically engineered mice: al. 2010). Details of background Humane, ethical, environmental, and Miczek, K. A., Maxson, S. C., Fish, E. W. and strains or stock and backcross/ husbandry issues. ILAR Journal 47: 118-123. Faccidomo, S. (2001). Aggressive behavioral phenotypes in mice. Behavioural Brain Buehr, M., Hjorth, J.P., Hansen, A.K. and intercross generation contained Research 125: 167-181. on GA passports may be useful for Sandøe, P. (2003). Genetically modified laboratory animals—what welfare problems Osborne, N., Bussell, J., Carver, R., Chadwisk, anyone providing EE for GA mice. do they face? Journal of Applied Animal C., Enser, B., Haskings, M. A., Hubreacht, Welfare Science 6: 319-338. R., Latcham, J., Maconochie, M., Mallon, There is also a role for common A.M., Norrington, R. & Wilson, S. (2010). GA Cook, M. N., Bolivar, V. J., Mcfadyen, M. P. and sense and experience in provid- Passports: The Key to Consistent Animal Care. Flaherty, L. (2002). Behavioral differences Southwater, RSPCA, download at http://www. ing and tailoring enrichment to among 129 substrains: Implications for rspca.org.uk/sciencegroup/researchanimals/ these animals. In the words of knockout and transgenic mice. Behavioral reportsandresources/biotechnology [Accessed 116: 600-611. June 11 2012]. Pascalle van Loo, “tailoring [of Rollin, B. E. (2012). “Enrichment” as a moral EE] is needed when mice exhibit a Cudilo, E., Al Naemi, H., Marmorstein, L. and Baldwin, A. L. (2007). Knockout Mice: Is It presupposition of animal research. Enrichment specific phenotype. Whether this Just Genetics? Effect of Enriched Housing Record 10 (January): 13-15. phenotype is the result of GA or on Fibulin-4(+/-) Mice. PLoS ONE 2: e229. Thon, R., Lassen, J., Hansen, A.K., Jegstrup, inbreeding/mutation is besides doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000229 I.M. and Ritskes-Hoitinga, M. (2002). Welfare evaluation of genetically modified mice— the point.” Fawcett, A. (2012). Guideline 22: Guidelines an inventory study of reports to the Danish for the Housing of Mice in Scientific Animal Experiments Inspectorate. Refinement is also an ongoing Institutions [Online]. Department of Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Primary Industries. Download at: http:// Science 29: 45-53. process. As Rollin writes, “even if www.animalethics.org.au/__data/assets/ Wells, D., Playle, L., Enser, W., Flecknell, P., we lack full knowledge of animals’ pdf_file/0004/249898/Guideline-22-mouse- Gardiner, M., Holland, J., Howard, B., needs and natures...we certainly housing.pdf [Accessed May 5 2012]. Hubrecht, R., Humphreys, K., Jackson, I., Lane, N., Maconochie, M., Mason, G., Morton, Government, A. (2007). Animal Welfare know enough to come much closer D., Raymond, R., Robinson. V., Smith, J. and Committee Guidelines for the Generation, to satisfying those needs than Watt, N. (2006). Assessing the Welfare of Breeding, Care and Use of Genetically Modified we currently do” (Rollin, 2012). Genetically Altered Mice: Full Report and Cloned Animals for Scientific Purposes. of GA Mouse Welfare Assessment Working Above all, EE should be based on In: COUNCIL, N. H. A. M. R. (ed.) Group. Download at http://www.nc3rs.org.uk/ the best available evidence, in Government. Canberra. GAmice [Accessed June 12 2012]. conjunction with structured Hawkins, P. (2002). Recognising and Assessing Whishaw, I. Q., Metz, G. A. S., Kolb, B. and Pain, Suffering and Distress in Laboratory Pellis, S. M. (2001). Accelerated nervous welfare assessments, to ensure Animals: A Survey of Current Practice in the system development contributes to behavioral efficiency in the laboratory mouse: a better standard of welfare for UK with Recommendations. Download at: A behavioral review and theoretical proposal. http://www.rspca.org.uk/ImageLocator/Locate GA mice. Developmental Psychobiology 39: 151-170. Asset?asset=document&assetId=1232715011 820&mode=prd [Accessed June 7, 2012]. Wood, N. I., Carta, V., Milde, S., Skillings, E. Acknowledgements A., Mcallister, C. J., Ang, Y. L. M., Duguid, A., The author would like to thank Herring, A., Lewejohann, L., Panzer, A.-L., Wijesuriya, N., Afzal, S. M., Fernandes, J. X., Jenny Kingham (Garvan Institute), Donath, A., Kröll, O., Sachser, N., Paulus, Leong, T. W. and Morton, J. (2010). Responses W. and Keyvani, K. (2011). Preventive and to Environmental Enrichment Differ with Sex Pascalle Van Loo (TNO), Nikki therapeutic types of environmental enrichment and Genotype in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Osborne (RSPCA UK), Keith counteract beta amyloid pathology by Huntington’s Disease. PLoS One 5(2):e9077 Photos: q RSPCA

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 23 Article Jennifer Mather, Department of Psychology, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

Enrichment and Cephalopods

Enrichment of the lives of cephalopod molluscs is a new idea born on the advance of knowledge about their intelligence and cognition and the formulation of regulations for their care in the European Union. This paper will discuss different reasons why we should care about cephalopods in captivity. It will then outline enrichment possibilities for the common cephalopods in captivity— the octopuses, cuttlefish and squid. While there are some suggestions and ‘lab lore’, there is little formal research to prove that enrichment makes the lives of cephalopods better, and the paper will end with a plea for more research.

Introduction Before we discuss enrichment for any animals, we should think about our philosophical views towards them. The ‘Contractarian’ viewpoint suggests that what we do doesn’t matter because animals are just ‘things’ (Mather 2011). Still, how we behave towards animals affects how we are perceived, so we might care for them appropriately because it ‘looks good’. The rules now say, for instance, that in the European Union we must consider the welfare of cephalopods. A second philosophy is the ‘Utilitarian’ one, which suggests that all our actions have both harms and benefits, and that we should act to maximize the benefits and minimize the harms, Jennifer Mather although in practice we tend to look © The University of Lethbridge at our benefits as primary. Keepers

24 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD of and believe if we want to enrich their lives, we paying attention to the animal’s that captivity for animals benefits may not know how (Davis, Roberts rights to a full life. One measure the humans who would otherwise & Ayre 1999). that can be quantified is whether never see them, and then indi- a captive animal can be released rectly benefits the animals in our In this context, why provide into its natural habitat and live awareness of the need to preserve enrichment for these invertebrates? as it normally would—a common them. A third viewpoint is the The first reason is that regulations conservation outcome for zoos and ‘Rights’ one, which suggests that (see the Canadian Council of aquariums with threatened animals. animals have an inherent right Animal Care and EU Directive) and The release of a female giant Pacific to a full and rich life, and since organizations such as the American octopus from the Seattle we put them in captivity, it’s our & Aquarium Association are stands out (Anderson 2000). obligation to make sure that while beginning to demand enrichment As cephalopods are semelparous they are there, we should make for cephalopods (Peters, Rehling and reproduce at the end of their their lives as full as possible. & Anderson 2005). That’s very lifespan, they can be released into There are some hitches in this contractarian; we have to do it the wild to find mates and lay or philosophy, as the ‘right’ of a cat because it’s written in the rules. fertilize eggs. This was apparently to reproduce may lead to a litter Second, we may use enrichment successful, as she was tracked of unwanted, abandoned kittens. because there’s a set of practi- underneath the aquarium pier for cal outcomes, quite utilitarian. 40 days, during which food remains All of us have some mixture of Cuttlefish given an enriched early and potential mates were spotted. these philosophical attitudes, environment grow larger and have but it gets complicated when we better memory performance as Why should cephalopods, of all the talk about invertebrates (Mather adults (Dickel, Boal & Budelmann invertebrates, be given enrichment? & Anderson 2007). Although 2000)—that’s what researchers They are intelligent animals, with a invertebrates constitute about want. Similarly, mudflat octopuses brain/body ratio higher than that of 98% of the animals on the planet, given habitat enrichment are more most fishes and reptiles, even some the word ‘animal’ is translated by active and colourful, good for the birds. They are excellent at learning most people to ‘vertebrate’ (or aquarium audience (Beigel & Boal (Wells 1978). They have distinct even ‘’). Many people 2006). Third, bored animals tend personalities (Mather & Anderson simply don’t see invertebrates to be destructive, escape (Wood 1993), solve complex problems (Ponder 1992). We only think of & Anderson 2004) or perform (Anderson & Mather 2007) and enrichment as enhancing the lives stereotyped behaviours (Anderson even play (Mather & Anderson 1999) (Sheperdson 1998) of complex, & Wood 2001), which is not useful in situations where they may be intelligent animals, and certainly for the commercial enterprise, bored (Wemesfelder 1993). They enrichment for a clam or a coral audience or even the animals may even have a simple form of animal is difficult to imagine. But themselves. And lastly, we can consciousness (Mather 2008). But cephalopods are different; they expect that enriched cephalopods enrichment must be tailored to the have all these characteristics that and other animals will have an physical and social needs of the we assume ‘dumb’ invertebrates increased ‘quality of life’, a measure particular species. In practice, three don’t have. Besides, we know almost impossible to quantify in groups of coleoid cephalopods— so very little about invertebrates, animals we know as little about as the Octopus family, the Sepioid including cephalopods, that even cephalopod molluscs. This is clearly continued on page 26

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cuttlefish and the Loliginid squid— are commonly found in captivity. General guides to the care of cephalopods in captivity are Boyle (1991) and an update review by Moltschaniwskyj et al. (2007), which cover many details but say little about enrichment.

Octopuses are common in captivity, and their propensity to remain in a confined space makes them amenable to this situation (Wells 1978). Yet shelter is important for them. An appropriate-sized pot or set of bricks will do, but they prefer a shelter that fits their volume fairly closely and has a small entrance (Mather 1994). Octopuses may block the entrance by items such as shells and small rocks, a clear example of tool use. Provision of ‘building’ materials allows octopuses to arrange shelter to their own preferences and rearrange them and enrich the physical space. They are able to tolerate frozen food from Octopus in the Seattle Aquarium being fed lots of clams in a study. © Seattle Aquarium a variety of prey species, and enrichment might include giving Yet an animal will retain such a to mate is part of enrichment, and them novel foods such as hard- device after the food is consumed, when the female lays her thousands boiled eggs or chicken. Yet live food exploring it with its arms and of eggs, they will be fertile. She will is preferable for an enriched life of manipulating pieces (Wood & Wood brood them nevertheless, and an octopus. If prey animals such as 1999). Octopuses are great allowing her to carry out this stage clams or snails can be introduced explorers, and any novel item of her lifespan is also enrichment. into the tank when the octopus is enriches their lives. But mating encounters have to be not near or is asleep, they will likely monitored to prevent attack deaths. bury or hide, so the octopus will Conversely, social enrichment is not have to use normal hunting behavior appropriate for octopuses. It is es- Cuttlefish are similar to octopuses to find them (Wood & Wood 1999). sential to research species-specific in seeking a benthic habitat, but In addition, preparation of whole cephalopod social behaviour, as different in other ways. They are animal food can be a long procedure most cephalopods are cannibalis- masters of bottom-matching (Anderson & Mather 2007). Hours tic, and confinement together in camouflage but also show skin and much manipulation are spent close quarters may lead to stress, displays in great complexity getting access to a clam or disar- escape responses or even death. matched to different circumstances ticulating a crab and consuming This is true of octopuses from the (Hanlon & Messenger 1988). Yet the food from the body and append- tiny paralarval stage to adulthood. they prefer to dig into sand-mud ages. Aquarists sometimes construct The necessity to seek partners for bottoms in the daytime and remain elaborate devices with a food reward mating (sexes are separate and unseen to predators. Given an inside, and the octopus commonly permanent), occurs only at the end inadequate amount of sand, they takes only seconds to gain access. of their lifespan. The opportunity will repeatedly dig (Mather 1986),

26 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD so enrichment should include Cuttlefish are also solitary, and, into the edges of the tank. Provision enough sand for appropriate cover. particularly in the juvenile stage, of live food is again a useful form of And young cuttlefish given sand are cannibalistic, so social hous- enrichment, and dead unconsumed and/or a varied background will ing is not appropriate. As adults, food may sink to the bottom of the learn to dig or camouflage them- males eagerly seek out females and tank, decay and cause bacterial selves appropriately and more advertise their sex to others with a growth. No one has provided items quickly (Poirer, Chichery & Dickel striped Zebra skin pattern. Since the for squid to manipulate; they are 2004; 2005). A varied background reflective surface of an aquarium fast learners and have the eight generally enriches the cuttlefish, wall can be sufficient to elicit this grasping cephalopod arms as well leading to better growth and faster display, low-level enrichment might as elastic tentacles to shoot out for learning capacity (Dickel et al. consist of giving them a reflective food capture, but have not been 2000). They can be fed thawed surface such as a mirror. But the proved to explore or play with them. frozen food, but feeding them enrichment of giving them mating Most squid swim in schools with with live food can be more appro- opportunities is easy to provide. conspecifics, but no one has studied priate for enrichment. Darmaillacq Pairs mate quickly and repeatedly, whether depriving them of this et al’s (in press) papers show that then males guard the female from opportunity is detrimental. young cuttlefish have the ability other males and conduct display However, it makes sense to give to learn a great deal about contests (see Hanlon & Messenger social squid the benefit of the doubt appropriate prey species, so 1996, a good general guide to and group house them unless there provision of live food (fish and cephalopod behavior). Females lay is sound scientific or veterinary crabs) is an obvious enrichment. small eggs singly on any available justification not to. Of course, this raises both ethical surface, and enrichment here will Opportunities for enrichment during and legal issues, since fish are consist of giving them a variety early life stages of most cephalo- often protected by law and, while of structures on which to do so. pods are rare because the young crustaceans are not generally As they have no parental care and are often very tiny paralarvae that protected by animal welfare both sexes die soon after mating, float in the plankton. Efforts to legislation, procedures on them enrichment does not include the raise these tiny animals are seldom were almost regulated under the opportunity for parental care. successful (this is especially true new EU Directive. It could be argued Loliginid squid are animals of the of Idiosepius), and much effort is that providing dead food actually open waters, and enrichment for devoted to just keeping them alive. simply shifts the blame, since dead them may involve environmental A few octopus species, such as O. crustaceans or fish were caught and restriction rather than enhance- maya and O. bimaculoides, have killed sometime, somewhere, and ment. As they are not near the ‘large’ eggs, where large is around probably without much consider- bottom, squid need no special sub- 17 mm long. Since cephalopods ation (see Braithwaite 2010). As an strate to enrich their lives. Instead, lay from a hundred up to tens of additional benefit to the cuttlefish, their fast jet escape response at thousands of eggs at a time, we can they have to learn to evade the disturbance means that their habitat assume that survival to adulthood defenses of prey such as pinching must be simplified. Disturbance is unlikely. Cuttlefish have large crab claws. Many prey species will by visitors or animals in neighbor- young, which may be 2 cm long at dig into sand or maneuver away ing tanks may trigger an escape hatching. Newly hatched cuttlefish from an approaching cuttlefish, response, and the resultant impact are benthic like the adults and so much energy will be expended might damage their skin, causing behave similarly (Darmaillacq et in learning how to catch the prey wounds that become infected and al, in prep). They are an excellent (Boal, Wittenberg & Hanlon 2000). result in death. Squid need to be model for studying the influence It’s not clear to what extent kept in large volumes of water, of habitat and experiential charac- cuttlefish manipulate their physical and the aquarium sides should be teristics on the developing animal, environment—studies simply blackened or a circular ‘raceway’ including enrichment effects. haven’t been done. provided so that they never bang For instance, newly hatched

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SUMMER 2012| THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 27 Enrichment and Cephalods continued from page 27

cuttlefish have a very narrow range References Mather, J. A. (2008). Cephalopod conscious- ness: Behavioral evidence. Consciousness and of preferred prey for the first several Anderson, R. C. (2000). The release of a Cognition 17: 37-48. weeks of life—mysid crustaceans. captive-reared giant Pacific octopus. Drum and Croaker 31: 7-10. Mather, J. A. (2011). Philosophical background Yet when they are exposed to of attitudes towards and treatment of Anderson, R. C. and Mather, J. A. (2007). invertebrates. ILAR Journal 52: 205-212. appropriate sized crab prey even The packaging problem: Bivalve mollusk prey while still in the egg, the hatchlings selection and prey entry techniques of Enteroc- Mather, J. and Anderson, R. C. (1993). topus dofleini. Journal of Comparative “Personalities” of octopuses (Octopus instead prefer them (Darmaillacq et Psychology 121: 300-305. rubescens). Journal of Comparative al. in prep). Thus enrichment simply Psychology 107: 336-340. Anderson, R. C. and Wood, J. B. (2001). by exposure will widen their prey Enrichment for giant Pacific octopuses: Happy Mather, J. A. and Anderson, R. C. (1999). choices. There are both short and as a clam? Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Exploration, play and habituation in Octopus Science, 4, 157-168. dofleini. Journal of Comparative Psychology long term effects of environmental 113: 333-338. Biegel, M. & Boal, J. G. (2006). The effect of enrichment in young cuttlefish, and habitat enrichment on the mudflat octopus. Mather, J. A. & Anderson, R. C. (2007). Ethics their learning capacity in matching to The Shape of Enrichment 15: 3-6. and invertebrates: A cephalopod perspective. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 75: 119-129. their environment is probably a Boal, J. G., Wittenberg, K. M. and Hanlon, R. T. Moltschaniwskyj, N, A., Hall, K., Lipinski, M. R., model for that of all the cephalopods. (2000). Observational learning does not explain Marian, J. E. A. R., Nishiguschi, M., Sakai, M. improvement in predation tactics by cuttlefish and Warnke, K. (2007). Ethical and welfare (Mollusca, Cephalopoda). Behavioral Processes That we know little of the biology considerations when using cephalopods as 52: 141-153. experimental animals. Review of Fish Biology of most cephalopod species is a Boyle, P. R. (1991). The UFAW Handbook on and Fisheries 17: 455-476. huge barrier to keeping them in the Care and Management of Cephalopods Peters, A. Rehling, M. and Anderson, R. C. in the Laboratory. London, UK, Ennisfield, captivity, let alone to enriching their (2005). Mission possible: Enriched Universities Federation for Animal Welfare. cephalopods. AZA Communique September lives there. One paper on enrichment Braithwaite, V. (2010). Do Fish Feel Pain? 2005: 21-23. in an octopus species and several Oxford, UK, Oxford University Press. Poirer, R., Chichery, R & Dickel, L. (2004). on one cuttlefish do not provide us Darmaillacq, A-S., Joze-Alvez, C., Belanger, C. Effects of rearing conditions on sand digging with much information. Yet the and Dickel, L. Cuttlefish preschool: how to learn efficiency in juvenile cuttlefish. Behavioural in the perihatching period. In: A-S Darmail- Processes, 67, 273-279. manipulations are fairly simple: lacq, L. Dickel and J. A. Mather, (Eds), Cephalo- Poirier, R., Chichery, R. & Dickel, L. (2005). provide an experimental group pod cognition, in preparation. Early experience and postembryonic with a specific or several general Davis, A. R., Roberts, D. and Ayre, D. J. (1999). maturation of body patterns in cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis). Journal of Comparative physical and /or biological stimuli, Conservation of sessile marine invertebrates: You do not know what you have got until it’s Psychology, 119, 230-237. give a control group a poorly gone. In: Ponder, W. and Lummey, D. (eds). Ponder, W. F. (1992). Bias and . enriched environment, wait a few The other 99%: The conservation and Australian Zoologist, 28, 47-51. biodiversity of Invertebrates. Mosman, NSW, weeks and measure the results Royal Society of New South Wales. Sheperdson, D. J. (1998). Tracing the path (Dickel et al. 2000; Bielgel & Boal of environmental enrichment in zoos. In D. L. Dickel, L., Boal, J. G. and Budelmann, B. U. Sheperdson, J. D. Melles & M. Hutchins (Eds), 2006; Poirer et al. 2004; 2005). (2000). The effect of early experience on Second nature: Environmental enrichment for A small sample size is not necessar- learning and memory in cuttlefish. captive animals (pp 15-29). Washington, D. Developmental Psychobiology 36: 101-110. C.: Smithsonian Institute Press. ily a barrier to enrichment studies, Hanlon, R. T. and Messenger, J. B. (1988). Wells, M. J. (1978). Octopus: Physiology and as Wutchik (pers. comm.) is pres- Adaptive coloration in young cuttlefish (Sepia behaviour of an advanced invertebrate. ently using a single-subject pre-post officinalis L.): The morphology and develop- London, UK: Chapman & Hall. ment of body patterns and their relation to study to look at enrichment for a behaviour. Philosophical Transactions of the Wemelsfelder, F. (1993). Concept of animal giant Pacific octopus. It is critical Royal Society of London B 320: 437-487. boredom and its relationship to stereotyped behavior. In Mason, G. & Rushen, A., Eds., that we move beyond anecdotes Hanlon, R. T. and Messenger, J. B. (1996). Stereotypical animal behavior: Fundamentals (Wood & Wood 1999; Anderson & Cephalopod Behaviour. Cambridge, UK: and application to animal welfare (pp 65-95). Cambridge University Press. Wallingford, UK: CABI. Wood 2001; Peters et al. 2005) Mather, J. A. (1986). Sand-digging in Sepia Wood, J. B. & Anderson, R. C. (2004). and conduct the studies to prove officinalis: assessment of a cephalopod Interspecies evaluation of octopus escape what keepers of cephalopods already mollusc’s “fixed” behavior pattern. Journal behavior. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare of Comparative Psychology 100: 315-320. know, that the animals’ lives are Science, 7, 95-106. Mather, J. A. (1994). “Home” choice and enhanced by the provision of Wood, J. B. & Wood, D. A. (1999). Enrichment modification by juvenile Octopus vulgaris for an advanced invertebrate. The Shape of environmental enrichment. (Mollusca: Cephalopoda): Specialized Enrichment, 8, 1-5. intelligence and tool use? Journal of , London 233: 359-368.

28 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD Article Gilly Griffin, Canadian Council on Animal Care, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Evaluating Environmental Enrichment is Essential

Introduction jority of animals used in research, experience some harmful proce- The term environmental enrichment and because less emphasis has been dures), thus giving animals a ‘life is used widely to refer to ‘an placed on improving their environ- worth living’ (Weary 2012). This increase in the complexity or ments, in comparison to larger growing literature on the benefits of naturalness of an enclosure, with animals (e.g. non-human primates, providing an enhanced environment the goal of improving animal dogs and cats). includes many examples published welfare’ (Patterson-Kane 2003, in The Enrichment Record. based on Chamove 1992 and Impact of enrichment on animals In general, when environmental Newberry 1995). The focus has It is generally accepted that animals modifications have been selected been largely on the welfare of the maintained in barren environments with consideration of the animals, with less reference to are not behaviourally normal, often behavioural and physiological potential impacts on research data. exhibiting stereotypies thought to characteristics of the animal, However, the concept of environ- be indicators of boredom or distress. enrichment provides welfare mental enrichment actually origi- The fundamental aim of improving benefits. However, it is still nated as a research tool for under- an animal’s environment should necessary to be aware of the standing the effects of experience be to permit the performance of presumption that any measure on the brain (Benefiel et al. 2005). species-typical behaviours that give that increases the complexity of The term was coined by Krech et al the animal some control over the an animal’s environment will (1960), who reared a group of rats environment, thus promoting enhance welfare. Weed & Raber in a complex environment with daily physiological (and hence behavioural) (2005) describes some instances training in a water maze, while their (Garner 2005). This where the approaches used can siblings were raised in isolation, should be the minimum standard actually be detrimental to an in barren cages. They found for any animals used for scientific animal’s well-being. For example, biochemical changes in the brains purposes, and increasingly is being van Loo et al (2002) found that of rats reared in the enriched required in legislation/regulations/ supplementing rodent cages with environment, plus daily training, guidelines (European Commission a shelter increased aggression, as compared with the rats raised in 2010, NRC 2011, Sørensen & well as the incidence of physiologi- barren environments. Since then, Hansen (2012), Abbott Global cal indicators of stress in male mice, many studies have revealed chang- Enrichment Committee (2012); although providing only nesting es in physiological and behavioural see also http://www.ccac.ca/en_/ material did not. These and other measures between animals housed standards). However, focus in the examples underline the need to in complex environments and animal welfare literature is shifting critically evaluate the impact of any those housed in barren cages. from papers aimed towards simply proposed enrichment in terms of its This apparent introduction of providing an environment that observed, rather than presumed, variation has led to concerns that meets an animal’s needs to papers effect on animal well-being. addressing animal welfare issues describing opportunities to give through enrichment may have animals additional positive experi- Since providing enrichment will negative impacts on the progress of ences. These positive experiences affect both animal behaviour scientific research. For the purposes should outweigh the negative ones and physiology, it is relevant to of this paper we have focused on (even if animals are to be used in consider the ‘normality’ of animals rodents, as they represent the ma- experiments where they might continued on page 30

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 29 Evaluating Environmental Enrichment continued from page 29

kept in barren cages. This leads to Publications on rodent welfare slower loss of cerebral volume when the question: are rodents raised present the introduction of housed in an enriched environment. in standard, barren cages suffi- ‘environmental enrichment’ as Similarly, mice living in an enriched ciently ‘normal’ to be valid models a good thing for animal welfare, environment exhibited a reduction in research—or are they ‘abnormal’ but typically, the potential effects in tumor growth and an increased because of their physiological on experimental outcomes are not remission in their cancers (three and behavioural responses to an considered. Keeping environmen- different models were studied; Cao inappropriate environment? If the tal conditions standardized has et al 2010). These examples clearly latter, then any research being been thought to assist in show that outcomes in animal-based carried out on those animals might minimizing variation, so over the research are affected by the be flawed, as any physiological or years researchers have used animals’ housing environment, behavioural measures would be standard, barren cages. However, whether barren or complex. negatively influenced by their daily in 1999, Crabbe et al tested this environmental conditions as well presumption in a multi-centre Enrichment—How should as the experimental treatment study looking at various mea- impacts on scientific (Sherwin 2007). sures of anxiety. Despite best outcomes be interpreted? How should the impacts of enrich- attempts to standardize housing ment on scientific outcomes, such as Impact of enrichment and husbandry conditions, they the examples above, be interpreted? on scientific outcomes found significant differences in the In general, research studies are From the perspective of science, measures between laboratories. designed to minimize variability are they positive or negative, or is within groups as far as is possible, Currently, there is a growing it not possible to generalize? Since so that effects of treatments are literature that reports marked many research studies are based more readily observed, i.e. the differences in animal models on previously published work, the ‘signal-to-noise ratio’ is large. This depending on the housing introduction of a complex environ- also means that the numbers of environment. For example, rats ment that changes the parameters animals can be minimized. While with experimentally induced of an animal model may mean that reducing the numbers of animals traumatic brain injury living in an the experimental data might not involved in invasive procedures is enriched environment took less be readily comparable to previous an important goal, consideration time to find the platform in a findings. For example, in testing the also needs to be given to the Morris Water Maze test than effects of a drug aimed at improv- amount of suffering likely to be rats with a similar brain injury ing outcomes from traumatic brain experienced by each individual maintained in individual housing injury, different results might be animal. In their seminal 1959 work (Hamm et al 1996, Passineau et anticipated depending on whether ‘Principles of Humane Experimental al 2001). At the time of post- the animals were maintained in Technique’, Russell and Burch were mortem, two weeks later, the individual housing or group housed keen to underline the importance brain injury in rats from enriched in an enriched environment. of reducing the amount of suffering cages was found to be approxi- Similarly, to study potential for each animal, even if that meant mately half the size of that in treatments for HD, one would need using more animals—as the the individually housed rats to question which environment individual animal’s experience was (Passineau et al 2001). In an- (impoverished or enriched) should the most important factor to be other example, transgenic R6/1 be used. While it has been argued considered (Russell & Burch 1992). and R6/2 mice used to model by some authors that a lack of It could be argued that if we can Huntington’s disease (HD)—a stimulation for animals housed in provide a life worth living for genetic disorder that results in laboratories may lead to increased animals used in science, then motor dysfunction, dementia and variability within a group of animals reduction of animal use would not death—exhibited less deteriora- (Garner 2005), others have be so much of a concern. tion in motor skills and had a proposed that increasing the

30 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD complexity of the environment In addition, some recent studies budget an animal gives to a results in an increase in variability have shown that enrichment strate- particular enrichment device; (Weed & Raber 2005). Although gies can also be used to establish preference testing, where the these findings appear paradoxical, earlier experimental endpoints animal is asked to choose between Würbel (2000) has suggested that for animal models. For example, different environments (for example ‘standardization increases the risk a study of an HD mouse model a cage containing a shelter or one of obtaining results that are idio- determined that when the HD mice without); and motivational testing syncratic to a particular situation’. were housed in enriched cages, a where the extent to which an animal Therefore, in order to ensure the decreased use of climbing resources is prepared to work to access the generalizability of results, it may (beam, rope and ladder) reliably enriched environment or object is be scientifically justified to include preceded the development of clinical measured, as an indication of the systematic variation of environmen- signs of disease (Litton et al 2008). importance of the resource to the tal conditions as part of the These authors concluded that be- animal. Although there have been experimental design (Cao et al havioural changes could be used as suggestions that relying on animal 2010). an early indicator of disease onset. preferences may not be the ideal Similarly, another study that used indicator of what is of most value Moreover, this new information cages enriched with nest-building to animal well-being (Benefiel et al brings into question the validity material determined that deficits in 2005), in general these approaches of some disease models. In the the performance of nest-building provide a good scientific basis for example of the cancer models can be used as a measure of neuro- making informed decisions about above, there has been the sugges- logical dysfunction in a chemically- what is relevant for an animal’s tion that adoption of enriched induced mouse model of Parkinson’s welfare. housing, as a new standard, is disease (Sager et al 2010). needed to develop fully valid disease Some studies employing the models. The rationale is that human How to evaluate the overall synthesis of evidence approach patients have a stimulating environ- impact of enrichment (Korevaar et al 2011) have surveyed ment, including socialization and The above discussion underlines the literature for publications that occupational therapy, so translat- the need to evaluate any enrich- report on the impact of enrichment ability may be improved by provid- ment strategies prior to introduction for particular species. For example, ing the equivalents for research into a research paradigm. This Olsson & Dahlborn (2002) reviewed animals. This will require the is important to ensure that the the effects of cage supplementa- establishment of a ‘new’ baseline enrichment strategy will be benefi- tion and produced five pages of for some studies and subsequent cial for the animals themselves, comparison tables, resulting in the adjustment of associated models, as well as understanding the conclusion that nesting material was a potentially time-consuming, but impact of the proposed enrichment the most important improvement for scientifically necessary task (Olsson on research data. mice. These syntheses will become & Dahlborn 2002). This approach increasingly important as we try From the perspective of animal could also result in experimental to determine what actually matters welfare, it is important to ensure animals living with a milder form to an animal. that any enrichment is scientifically of the disease for an extended valid for the species (Baumans et It is similarly important to validate period of time, until the experimen- al 2011). This requires sound, any environmental enrichment as tal endpoint is reached, which scientifically-conducted studies, part of a research protocol, as these creates further animal welfare properly designed with appropriate refinements can potentially impact and indeed ethical considerations numbers of animals and statistical research outcomes (Patterson- as to what is in the animals’ best analysis of results. These can Kane 2004). Unfortunately, there interests. include behavioural observation is currently limited published studies, with analysis of the time continued on pag 32

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 31 Evaluating Environmental Enrichment continued from page 31

information concerning the actual environments aimed at meeting References environmental conditions in which species-specific needs is increas- Abbott Global Enrichment Committee. (2012). research animals are housed ingly required by regulations and History of enrichment in the ILAR Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The (Institute for Laboratory Animal guidelines worldwide, setting new Enrichment Record, July, 2012, vol. 12, 10-13. Research & National Research standards for laboratory animal Baumans, V., Van Loo, P.L.P., & Pham, T.M. Council (2011), see also Osborne welfare. In addition, there is much (2011). Standardisation of environmental 2012). This means that it can be more interest in providing animals enrichment for laboratory mice and rats: Utilisation, practicality and variation in difficult to replicate studies, and with more complex environments experimental results. Scandinavian Journal of the impact of any husbandry where they have the ability to Laboratory Animal Science, 37(2), 101-114. refinements on the research data exert some measure of control. Benefiel, A. C., Dong, W. K., & Greenough, W. T. (2005). Mandatory “ enriched” housing of is unknown. As discussed above, These complex environments laboratory animals: The need for evidence- the growing evidence that also aim to provide animals with based evaluation. Institute for Laboratory Animal Research Journal, 46(2), 95-105. research results are quite positive experiences, thus dependent on the animals’ improving their overall quality Cao, L., Liu, X., Lin, E-J. D., Wang, C., Choi, E. Y., Riban, V., . . . During, M. J. (2010). environment requires that the of life. However, before these are Environmental and genetic activation of a conditions under which the introduced into an experimental brain-adipocyte bdnf/leptin axis causes cancer remission and inhibition. Cell 142(1), 52-64. research was carried out are well paradigm, it is vital to ensure Chamove, A. S. (1992). Environmental described. Where inclusion of that the proposed changes have enrichment: a review. Animal Technology, enrichment is shown to have an a positive impact on the animals’ 40:155-177. impact on research results, the well-being. As an animal’s Crabbe, J. C., Wahlsten, D., & Dudek, B. C. evaluation of the effects of the environment can have a profound (1999). Genetics of mouse behavior: Interactions with laboratory environment. enrichment should also be impact on their physiological and Science, 284(5420), 1670-1672. carried out in a systematic psychological state, and therefore European Commission (2010). Directive manner so that the results can research results, it is important 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the council of 22 September 2010 be published and used to estab- that housing and husbandry and of the council on the protection of lish new baselines. In addition, conditions are properly described animals used for scientific purposes.” http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/ for some animal disease models, in the literature. This is even more LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:276:%20 systematic reviews of available important when complex environ- 0033:0079:EN:PDF Garner, J. P. (2005). Stereotypies and other knowledge may assist in better ments are provided, as there is abnormal repetitive behaviors: Potential targeting the enrichments and the potential for change to current impact on validity, reliability, and replicability of scientific outcomes. Institute for Laboratory validations that will improve the data on animal models of disease. Animal Research, 46(2), 106-117. model and improve the quality The use of enriched environ- Hamm, R.J., Temple, M.D., O’Dell, D.M., Pike, of data generated. ments offers the possibility of B.R. and Lyeth B.G. (1996). Exposure to more robust animal models, and Environmental Complexity Promotes Recovery For both types of evaluation— of Cognitive Function after Traumatic Brain the ability to detect early onset Injury. Journal of Neurotrauma 13(1):41-47. benefit to animals and the effect of disease, and has the potential Institute for Laboratory Animal Research & on science—communication and to improve both the quality of an National Research Council. (2011). Guidance teamwork is needed between all for the description of animal research in animal’s life as well as the quality individuals involved in research scientific publications (pp. 1-31). Washington of scientific data. DC: The National Academies Press. studies, i.e. researcher, animal Korevaar, D. A., Hooft, L., ter Riet, G. (2011). technologist and veterinarian, with Acknowledgements Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of advice/oversight by the ethics or Thanks to Nicole Fenwick, MSc, animal studies. Laboratory Animals, 45(4): 225–230. animal care and use committee as Wendy Clarence, BSc and Penny Krech, D., Rosenzweig, M. R., & appropriate. Hawkins, Ph.D. for their consider- Bennett, E. L. (1960). Effects of environmental able assistance in reviewing and complexity and training on brain chemistry. Concluding statements providing valuable comments on Journal of Comparative & Physiological Housing laboratory animals in Psychology, 53, 509-519. the draft versions of this article.

32 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD Resources

Litton, K., A. Acevedo, W. Browne, J. Edgar, M. Mendl, D. Owen, C. Sherwin, H. Würbel and C. Nicol. (2008). Towards humane end points: Behavioural changes precede clinical signs of disease in a huntington’s disease model. Proceedings of the Royal Society-Biological Sciences, 275, 1895-1874. National Research Council (2011). Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animal. Eighth Edition. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Newberry, R. C. 1995. Environmental enrichment: increasing the biological relevance of captive environ- ments. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 44:229-243. Olsson, I. A., & Dahlborn, K. (2002). Improving housing conditions for laboratory mice: A review of “environ- mental enrichment”. Laboratory Animals, 36(3), 243- BVAAWF/FRAME/RSPCA/UFAW 270. Joint Working Group on Refinement Osborne, N. (2012). Reporting enrichment in research papers. Enrichment Record, July, 2012, vol. 12, 34-35. Passineau, M. J., Green, E. J., & Dietrich, W.D. (2001). Therapeutic effects of environmental enrichment on cognitive function and tissue integrity following severe traumatic brain injury in rats. Experimental Neurology, 168, 373-384. Whenever animals are used in laboratories, minimizing pain and Patterson-Kane, E. G. (2003). Shelter enrichment distress should be as important an objective as achieving the for rats. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science, 42(2), 46-48. experimental results. This is important for humanitarian reasons, good science, economic reasons and satisfying broad legal principles. Patterson-Kane, E. G. (2004). Enrichment of laboratory caging for rats: A review. Animal Welfare, 13 (Supplement), S209-S214. The Joint Working Group on Refinement (JWGR) was convened by the British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation (BVAAWF), Russell, W. M. S., & Burch, R. L. (1992). The principles of humane experimental techniques (originally the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments published in 1959).http://altweb.jhsph.edu/publica- (FRAME), the Royal Society for the Prevention of tions/humane_exp/het-toc.htm. (RSPCA) and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) Sager, T.N., Kirchhoff, J. , Mørk, A., Van Beek, J., to facilitate refinement by making up-to-date information on good Thirstrup, K., Didriksen, M., & Lauridsen, J.B. (2010). practice available. The JWGR has a broad range of members, with Nest building performance following mptp toxicity in mice. Behavioral Brain Research, 208(2), 444-449. representatives from science and industry, veterinarians and animal Sherwin, C. M. (2007). Validating refinements to welfare bodies. With the goal of making significant reductions in the laboratory housing: Asking the animals. Commissioned overall impact of research on animals, it has produced a series of article on NC3Rs web-page. http://www.nc3rs.org.uk/ comprehensive reports setting out good practice for a range of news.asp?id=759 (pp. 1-13). husbandry and care practices and experimental procedures, including Sørensen, D.B. and Hansen, A.K. (2012). Drivers for husbandry refinements for mice, birds, animals in telemetry enrichment in Directive 2010/63/EU. Enrichment Record, July, 2012, vol. 12, 13-15. procedures, dogs and primates. Van Loo, P. L.P., Kruitwagen, C. L. J. J., Koohaas, J. M., For further information, including downloads of some of the eleven Van de Weerd, H. A., Van Zutphen, L. F. M., & Baumans, reports in the JWGR series, see http://www.rspca.org.uk/science- V. (2002). Influence of cage enrichment on aggressive behavior and physiological parameters in male mice. group/researchanimals/implementing3rs/refinement Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 76, 65-81. Weary, D. M. (2012) A Good Life for Laboratory Animals—How Far Must Refinement Go? World JWGR reports were also used as a basis for many of Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences (8th). Montreal, Canada, August 21-25, 2011, the RSPCA’s Good Practice Guidelines for laboratory Alternatives to Animal Testing and animal housing and care, which aim to provide easy Experimentation Proceedings 1:11-13. to use ‘checklists’ for members of ethical and animal Weed, J. L., & Raber, J. M. (2005). Balancing animal care and use committees. These can be downloaded research with animal well-being: Establishment of goals at and harmonization of approaches. Institute for Laboratory Animal Research Journal, 46(2), 118-128. http://www.rspca.org.uk/sciencegroup/researchanimals/ Würbel, H. (2000). Behaviour and the ethicalreview/housingandcare standardization fallacy. Nature Genetics, 26(3), 263.

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 33 Article Nikki Osborne, Research Animals Department, RSPCA, Southwater, West Sussex, UK

Reporting Enrichment in Research Papers

The provision of environmental or behaviours, with a few including total number of relevant journals enrichment, whilst good for animal details of environmental enrich- (3,000+) in 2010 (Osborne et welfare, can sometimes be a ments, when discussing current al. 2010). Of these 868 journals, contentious issue with regard to best practice in housing and care. over 57% had no meaningful scientific data. Some argue that I am, of course, aware that this policies relating to the use of the inclusion of enrichment quick search will not have picked animals in the research they increases the number of experi- up any papers that include details published, meaning that we mental variables and therefore has of enrichments within the materials confirmed that they didn’t have a negative impact on the science, and methods sections, as these are a policy or that it only included whilst others argue that only those not indexed, but it does illustrate the word ‘animal’ at some point. results achieved in an appropri- how difficult it can be to find the Most relevant to The Enrichment ately enriched environment, when limited amount of research pub- Record readers is the fact that the animal is displaying a range of lished in this field. On a brighter only 18 out of 868 journal natural behaviours, can be said to note, The Enrichment Record does a policies gave any mention to the present the ‘true’ nature of any fantastic job of filling what is clearly 3Rs, either with or without using effect. Whichever of these opinions a very big hole in this regard, but the term specifically. Of these, is closest to your own, in my view, we really need to get the majority of 8 policies referred to all 3Rs, a good way to inform the debate is authors including enrichment details 5 mentioned 2 of the 3Rs to ensure that all published research within all published research in (either replacement & reduction, includes details of any environmen- order to accumulate a sufficient or reduction & refinement) and tal enrichment that the experimen- body of data with which to analyse 5 policies mentioned 1 of the tal animals have experienced. and address the many questions 3Rs. None of the policies included surrounding the use, mis-use, pros environmental enrichment and But is this happening? Following an and cons of environmental enrich- only 2 policies mentioned in-depth, but unlikely to be com- ment. So how can this be achieved? disseminating best practice by prehensive PubMed search using 53 publishing improvements. Armed different ‘animal model’ and ‘envi- The RSPCA’s approach has been to with this data, we have gone on ronmental enrichment’ search term see whether journals have publica- to produce, with input from variations, I have in my hand a list tion policies on the use of animals some journal editors and publish- of 126 references from 64 differ- in the research that they publish, ing societies, some simple ent journals. Not a lot, when you and if so, whether they included any ‘Publication Policy Principles’ and consider that I didn’t include any reference to the 3Rs, enrichment, a ‘Good Practice Model: time frame limits, and less still when or other animal welfare related Instructions to Authors’ (Osborne reading of the abstracts reduces issues. Most of the headline results et al. 2010). These are aimed at this number to just 87 references, from our surveys have already been providing journal editors with a in 46 journals, that actually provide published, but to summarise... short list of points relating to the details and data on environmental the publication policies of a total publication of research involving enrichments for a range of species; of 868 different English language animals that they can consider primarily mice and rats. The vast peer-reviewed journals publish- when next updating their majority of these papers report the ing primary research involving the editorial/publication policies. effect of environmental enrichments use of animals were surveyed from Or, for those currently without a (not including social housing/enrich- January 2007-2010. This figure policy, we provide an instruction ment) on specific phenotypic effects is equivalent to 40% of the to authors that can be copied,

34 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD pasted and edited to cater to an research, to adopt and adhere to don’t report it because journals ask individual journal’s needs. them.’ them to, then maybe they will do so to demonstrate that their We believe that journal editors So what reporting standards are research conforms to the good are well placed to influence the there and do they include a refer- practice standards set out in both content of the papers submitted ence to environmental enrichment? the Directive and ILAR Guide—and to them for publication, because In 1985, the GV-SOLAS Working that they recognise better welfare authors will ensure that the paper Committee for the Biological and better science go hand in hand. they submit is prepared in a jour- Characterization of Laboratory nal’s preferred style and format. Animals published ‘Guidelines for References So, why not also stipulate required specification of animals and Osborne, N.J., Phillips, B.J. and Westwood, K. content? An argument against this husbandry methods when reporting (2010). Journal editorial polices as a driver for change—animal welfare and the Three Rs. approach is that the author of the the results of animal experiments’ Proceedings of the Eleventh FELASA paper, not journal editor, is best (GV-SOLAS 1985). Perhaps, Symposium and the 40th Scand-LAS Symposium, 14-17 June 2010, Helsinki, placed to know what details are unsurprisingly, these do not Finland. FELASA, http://www.felasa.eu pertinent to include within the include reference to environmental Festing, M.F.W. and van Zutphen, L.F.M. description of the study. Where enrichment; however, the guidelines (1997). Guidelines for reviewing manuscripts on studies involving live animals. In L.F.M. van this argument falls flat is revealed published by Festing & van Zutphen Zutphen and M. Balls (Eds), Animal Alterna- by a number of studies that have in 1997 definitely do (Festing & van tives, Welfare and Ethics (pp. 405-410). analysed what information is Zutphen 1997). More recently, Amsterdam: Elsevier. included within published research several groups have revisited Gomez, L.M. and Conlee, K.M. (2007). An analysis of reporting pain and distress papers (Smith et al. 1997, Gomez reporting standards publishing ‘the recognition and alleviation in scientific journal & Conlee 2007, Kilkenny et al. ARRIVE guidelines’ for bioscience publications. AATEX 14, Special Issue: 171-177. 2009). Fifteen years ago, Smith research reporting (Kilkenny et al. GV-SOLAS Working Committee for the et al. (1997) looked at the 2010) and the ‘gold standard Biological Characterisation of Laboratory information authors included publication checklist’ for animal Animals (1985). Guidelines for specification within the methods sections of studies (Hooijmans et al. 2010). of animals and husbandry methods when reporting the results of animal experiments. 149 biomedical science papers Similarly, ILAR (2011) published Laboratory Animals 19: 106-108. taken from eight journals. This ‘Guidelines for the description Hooijmans, C.R., Leenaars, M. and may not be a statistically signifi- of animal research in scientific Ritskes-Hoitinga, M. (2010). A gold standard publication checklist to improve the quality of cant sample, but their conclusion publications’, with all of these animal studies, to fully integrate the Three Rs, was that ‘Our study points to specifying the need to report on the and to make systematic reviews more feasible. ATLA 38: 167-182. the need for journals to estab- presence and type of environmental lish more rigorous guidelines and enrichment. Likewise, the provision ILAR (Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources). (2011). Guidance for the editorial procedures, in order of environmental enrichment has Description of Animal Research in Scientific to ensure adequate reporting.’ been included as part and parcel of Publications. National Research Council Institute for Laboratory Animal Research. These comments were reiterated contemporary good practice within Washington, DC: The National Academies by Kilkenny et al. (2009) who the guidance associated with the Press. analysed the quality of report- new revised European Directive Kilkenny, C., Parsons, N., Kadyszewski, E., Festing, M.F.W., Cuthill, I.C. et al. (2009). ing in 271 publications and again on the use of animals in scientific Survey of the quality of experimental design, concluded that ‘we believe there procedures. statistical analysis and reporting of research is a need to develop reporting using animals. PLoS ONE 4(11): e7824. I am therefore hopeful that this standards specifically for research Kilkenny, C., Browne, W.J., Cuthill, I.C., will prove to be an important turn- Emerson, M. and Altman, D.G. (2010). using animals, with the aim of Improving bioscience research reporting: ing point, when the provision and enhancing the transparency of the ARRIVE guidelines for reporting animal reporting of environmental enrich- research. PLoS Biology 8(6): e1000412. reporting and encouraging both ment for laboratory animals hits the Smith, J., Birke, L. and Sadler, D. (1997). researchers, and those journals scientific mainstream. If authors Reporting animal use in scientific papers. responsible for publishing this Laboratory Animals 31: 312-317.

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 35 Enriching Profile Introducing...

Viktor Reinhardt, D.V.M, Ph.D. Voluntary Laboratory Animal Advisor, Animal Welfare Institute

It is my wish that this book will help to make life easier for animals in research laboratories, thereby improving the scientific quality of research data collected from them. May the discussions inspire and encourage all those who are responsible for the care and well-being of animals in research labs to express their compassion in action. The way we treat animals predetermines our own emotional well-being. —Viktor Reinhardt, Moderator LAREF, 2007, Making Life Easier For Animals In Research Labs • Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum

Internationally acclaimed author, teacher and skier, how to become an ethologist, Lorenz said, “you don’t Dr. Viktor Reinhardt grew up in the German Alps. become an ethologist…you have to be an ethologist.” “I was always awestruck by animals,” he says. “As a Then he suggested studying veterinary medicine, kid, I collected vegetable and fruit scraps from local because it would allow earning a living as a practitioner restaurants and took them to deer-feeding stations or a researcher. where I observed and photographed the wildlife.” Good advice! Reinhardt received his D.V.M. degree Dr. Reinhardt left high school before graduating. from the University of Munich in Germany and his Ph.D. “I never liked school,” he explains. “I questioned my in Ethology from the Max Planck Institute of Physiology teachers and thought a lot of the stuff was useless. of Behaviour, Seewiesen, Germany. Even biology was too dry.” He apprenticed himself to Prior to his current volunteer position, Dr. Reinhardt a local carpenter, enjoyed the work, and was relieved served as Laboratory Animal Advisor, Animal Welfare to be finished with school. However, a year later he Institute, Washington, DC; Attending Veterinarian and realized that being a carpenter wouldn’t get him Ethologist, Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, where he wanted to be—working with animals. So… Madison, Wisconsin; Research Fellow, Department he returned to school to get the degree necessary to of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Saskatchewan, pursue his vision. Canada; Scientific Assistant, Department of Anatomy, He recalls seeking advice from famed ethologist Konrad Physiology and Hygiene, University of Bonn, Germany; Lorenz, whose work he greatly admired. When asked Lecturer, Department of Animal Physiology, University of

36 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD Nairobi, Kenya; and Scientific so that they could live together and Assistant, Department of Animal AWI Policy on Research not fight. By 1991, 92% of the colony’s Physiology, University of Munich- and Testing with 749 macaques lived in compatible pairs. Weihenstephan, Germany. He joined Animals states: “Housing monkeys in compatible the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) Research must not be conducted pairs or groups is a necessity…not in 1994. on animals unless, at minimum, a luxury,” he says. “Since 1991, federal In 1997, Dr. Reinhardt created the the methodology fulfills regulations require that facilities have 8th edition of AWI’s Comfortable the three “Rs” an enhancement plan which must Quarters for Laboratory Animals, of Russell and Burch, include provisions to address the including the following: a book providing guidance on the social needs of nonhuman primates.” humane housing and handling of Animals are maintained in Thoughts on the future individual animal species in research an optimum, of environmental enrichment facilities. The book was well received; species-appropriate “Good environmental enrichment allows in 2002, he prepared the 9th edition, environment. confined animals to express species- still in use today. Animals are under the care appropriate behaviors. In addition, of professionally trained, In 1998, AWI published Reinhardt’s many animals in laboratories can be compassionate personnel. Environmental Enrichment for trained to work with rather than Caged Rhesus Macaques, a Animals’ pain, against researchers and personnel. photographic documentation and physical discomfort, When animals are cooperative during literature review. The 3rd edition, maladaptive behaviors, procedures, there is little or no stress, now called Environmental Enrichment fear and anxiety and stress is a significant variable that and Refinement for Nonhuman are prevented or, affects research data. In addition, Primates Kept in Research Labora- at least minimized working with a cooperative animal is by considerate tories, was published in 2008. All of much safer for the handler.” and scientifically Reinhardt’s publications (well over sound experimental design Dr. Reinhardt’s two free databases: 200 at last count!) are designed to and appropriate use increase awareness among scientists, Annotated Database on of anesthetic, analgesic Environmental Enrichment and animal care personnel and the public or tranquilizing drugs. Refinement of Husbandry for of the importance of improving the Nonhuman Primates living and handling conditions of animals in research laboratories. Annotated Database on Dr. Reinhardt attributes his focus Environmental Enrichment and For Dr. Reinhardt, observing on environmental enrichment to Refinement of Husbandry for undisturbed animals is fascinating. Rodents, Rabbits, Cats, Dogs, an experience in Wisconsin. While He is “humbled that animals of very Ferrets, Farm Animals, Horses Birds, applying for a job, he saw a shock- different species and people share Fishes, and Reptiles ing sight—hundreds and hundreds the same emotional and behavioral http://www.awionline.org/content/re- of monkeys alone in single barren roots.” “For me,” he says, “it has finement-databases cages. For ethical and scientific always been a privilege to be with reasons, he decided to provide And…his wife, Annie Reinhardt and his animals, to gain their trust and to companions for the animals. daughter, Catherine Reinhardt-Zaccair gradually get some insight into their He was warned that it could be are highly valued associates. As a emotions. Observing animals is often family, they have made many important dangerous, but his idea was to like looking into a mirror; you learn contributions to the field of animal allow the animals to establish a much about yourself.” behavior! relationship in a safe way…

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 37 Meeting Up

There’s an old saying that “You can’t dance at two weddings at once.” You also can’t attend all the meetings and conferences taking place that offer the latest information in the field of laboratory animal science.Meeting Up will provide summaries of panels, workshops and symposia covering topics relevant to Environmental Enrichment. If you want more information about any of the presentations described or want to contact the presenters, let us know and we will be happy to connect you: [email protected]

PRIM&R Conference that their IACUCs were adequate in through a variety of novel Workshop Moderators: this area. The resulting conversation instruments and manipulanda Christina Winnicker, D.V.M., identified the ability of the IACUC to • Social housing and nesting Director, Enrichment & Behavioral serve as an influential member of material for rodents Medicine, Charles River Laboratories authority, promoting animal welfare It is important to recognize that the & Jennifer Camacho, LVT, RLATG through environmental enrichment. laboratory environment is designed Enrichment Manager, for function and human comfort, Dialogue Summary: Massachusetts General Hospital not necessarily what is normal or The role and responsibility of the naturalistic to the animal. Consider- IACUC, including what is required, The IACUC’s Role in ations should be made to simulate minimal, optimal, and beneficial. Reviewing and Promoting laboratory appropriate naturalistic Enrichment Strategies IACUC is responsible for provid- behaviors in a captive environ- (Animal Well-Being and the ing assurance of animal well-being ment—recognizing that space is Three Rs Track) through validating the effective- a limiting factor that will hinder Tuesday, March 20, 2012 ness of processes currently manag- naturalistic care and species-specific This workshop highlighted the ing and assessing the enrichment group formations. Some examples basic information on animal program or evaluating a program- included; behavior, regulatory requirements matic initiative designed to monitor • Providing a visual block for NHPs and ethologically relevant laboratory the effectiveness of processes to (who need or want it) to get away enrichment practices, while promote well-being. • Pair or group housing rabbits with limited space will yield success allowing attendants to have a What are considered the with females, but is very difficult focused dialogue. The workshop best practices for nonhuman with adult males consisted of approximately 25 primates, i.e. complex and novel • Zebrafish utilize enrichment as individuals, predominately with environments or social housing a block from antagonistic/ IACUC roles at their respective and rodents, i.e. social housing aggressive behavior institutions. The attendants were and species-typical behavior? asked, “Who feels that their IACUC Performance criteria and how General recommendations for NHPs has a good understanding of the to use assessment data and Rodents include: behavioral needs of the species they IACUCs are responsible to ask the • Social housing for NHPs in are working with?” Approximately questions compatible pairs, combined 75% of the audience did not feel • Are we providing “best practices” with cognitive enrichment stimuli that support animal well-being?

38 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD • Are those processes effective? animal welfare, assessing whether compare individuals to each other. • How do we know? their current methods are working Qualitative assessments could be • What’s next? and finding tools to assess animal used to alleviate a particular behavior welfare. type, such as fear from human inter- The use of exemptions action, through a human interaction IACUCs are responsible for The point that measuring pain and acclimation program. The decrease requiring valid justification for distress is different than measuring in fear displays or fear behaviors can exemptions to processes (enrich- animal well-being was discussed. be used to assess the effectiveness of ment or otherwise) that promote The importance of understanding that program or the progress of the animal well-being. In addition, normal behavior in order to detect animal. IACUCs are also responsible for when behavior changes are reviewing such exemptions on no abnormal was also discussed. Measuring activity when observers less than an annual basis. are absent, particularly during night Physiologic measures were hours when rodents would be most Scientific justification, such as discussed: hormones, heart rate, active, was also discussed. Night neurological, endocrine and physical body condition scoring, reproduc- video and activity wheels were variables that will alter the science, tive parameters, cortisone levels. suggested as ways to quantify these must be critically evaluated to The cons were that some measures activity periods, and the idea of using determine which state (before or were too cumbersome and a ‘sentinel’ cage, or providing a single after enrichment/social housing) unrefined to detect subtle changes; cage with the monitoring equipment better translates to the human they didn’t give immediate “cage that would act as a proxy for the population. side” information. Additionally, other cages, was suggested as a way there is cost and a longer time Controlled variables do not translate to make monitoring cost effective. commitment associated with using to the human population. Utilization of enrichment items, such them. Respiratory rate and heart as nest building, was also suggested Reporting requirements rate changes may occur too late as a way to measure animal activity Reporting is required to OLAW in the disease process: for welfare or condition, though this has not yet within 10 days for any protocol and humane endpoints, an earlier been validated. suspension and for any deviations detection would be better for the to the Guide, or regulatory non- animals. The question of how to train astute compliance that is “serious technicians was considered. Several Behavioral metrics worked well or continuous”. OLAW & USDA excellent suggestions were put for technicians familiar with the representation recognize the forward: normal behavioral repertoire of subjective nature of the reporting • Creating a culture of openness their animals, and astute ones language and anticipate releasing in reporting to allow technicians with enough time to do proper guidelines to further specify to know that it’s both important observations could pick up on occurrences that require and and OK for them to speak up small or subtle changes in behavior. benefit reporting actions. when they think something is Qualitative assessments, such as wrong Creating Quantifiable and “personality” (or temperament) in • Fostering a culture of high Objective Indices of Animal non-human primates, was discussed performance standards Well Being as a potential indicator of welfare. • Allowing technicians enough time (Animal Well-Being and the The question of how to utilize this in their clinical condition checks Three Rs Track) information, considering that to focus on observations Wednesday, March 21, 2012 individuals would be very different • Creating and using a record from each other, was brought up, The participants in this workshop keeping system, such as cage but the point of this type of assess- were interested in learning what card observations or ment is to look for changes in an others were doing to measure individual over time, rather than continued on pag 40

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 39 Meeting Up continued from page 39

monitoring forms that would the importance of understanding The 2012 Enrichment allow multiple observers to natural behaviors and environ- Extravaganza follow a case through time ments and applying them to the Dhaval K. Vyas • Having researchers describe lab setting and presented exam- Biologist/Environmental their protocols in layman’s terms ples and data showing improve- Enrichment Program Centers for and explain what observations ments in behavior and breeding Disease Control and Prevention were expected when incorporating changes (CDC), National Center for • Developing a picture book of representing their natural habitat. Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious clinical signs, and cross training Kimberly Wasko, from Drexel Diseases (NCEZID), Division staff to teach clicker-training University College of Medicine, of Scientific Resources (DSR) (operant conditioning) to improve transformed rabbit enrichment The 2012 Enrichment Extravaganza behavioral observation skills to a whole new level. She showed arrived in Atlanta, Georgia at the video and pictures of rabbit MSMR Laboratory Animal campus of Emory University on exercise pens, playgroups, and Enrichment Symposium April 24. This all-day event brought super-enriched housing. together the laboratory animal Alan B. Dittrich, Ph.D. community in an environment where President, Massachusetts Society Brianna Gaskill, Postdoctoral ideas were shared for improving for Medical Research, Inc. Research Scientist from Charles River Laboratories, spoke in two the welfare of laboratory animals. The 4th annual Massachusetts Society separate sessions on mice and The Enrichment Extravaganza was for Medical Research Enrichment rat enrichment. possible because of support from Symposium, “All Creatures Big and Huntingdon Life Sciences; ; Small” was held in Boston as an all-day Natalie Bratcher, 3Rs Scientist Primate Products, Inc.; Shepherd event on March 23, 2012. The sympo- and Alternatives Coordinator from Specialty Papers; Allentown, Inc.; sium boasted over 220 attendees and Abbot Laboratories gave an Animal Specialties & Provisions; 14 vendor exhibitors! inspiring talk on Abbott’s canine Purina Lab Diet; Bio-Serv and The program. It focuses heavily on Paul McKellips, Executive Vice Andersons Bedding Products. The staff engagement and animal President for the Foundation for Enrichment Extravaganza began welfare. Biomedical Research, kicked off the with a morning plenary session, one-day event with a dynamic talk on The speakers rounded out with followed with a poster session and the importance and necessity of animal Jamie Wells, Animal Husbandry ended with several workshops. research and the increased approval Supervisor from Tufts University, Dr. Mollie Bloomsmith, from rating it is gaining among the public. speaking on pig enrichment the Yerkes National Primate He also spoke candidly about the (“Are Your Pigs Happy?”) and Research Center, began the day’s criticisms surrounding animal research Evelyn Skoumbourdis, Veterinary activities with opening remarks. from various groups, showed video and Technician who traveled to the Dr. Bloomsmith is recognized for noted the danger that research facilities Symposium from Thomas Jefferson her contribution to the behavioral and personnel have encountered by University, offering ideas for management of several species being in this profession. seemingly “Unenrichable” of primates at Yerkes. She and her non-human primates. Christian Lawrence, Aquatic Resources team have published several studies Program Manager from Children’s The event was another huge examining the effects of environ- Hospital, presented “Using Data on success and, as always, we would mental enrichment for laboratory Natural History and Behavior to Build like to give a special thanks to our primates. Dr. Bloomsmith set the Better Management Strategies for vendors for their continued support tone for the meeting by asserting Laboratory Zebra Fish”. He stressed and fantastic raffle prizes. that attention towards enrichment in laboratory animal care is at its

40 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD highest. With this affirmation in place, has an origin during the early of well-being. To combat an environ- the meeting commenced as three stages of development. Infant ment consisting of barren fish tanks, speakers presented topics addressing rhesus macaques that scored on the information from a review of enrichment for a diversity species. the shy end of the temperament zebrafish natural history provides scale developed abnormal caretakers with appropriate options Dr. Kris Coleman flew across the behaviors more so than the bolder for enhancing their housing and diet. country from the Oregon Regional infants. Based on Dr. Coleman’s Instead of making haphazard Primate Research Center to present results, management strategies decisions on how to augment an her work incorporating temperament that ignore temperament are empty fish tank, knowledge of into the behavioral management of incomplete. In addition to age and zebrafish enables personnel non-human primates. Even though it sex, differences in personality to choose specific variables to is well established that primates have need to be incorporated in order manipulate. An understanding unique personalities and peculiarities, for a proper administration of of zebrafish behavior is critical to management plans often overlook animal care. The incorporation identifying impaired individuals. The temperament as a variable. of individual differences into life of a zebrafish is quite a drama The temperament is defined by how decisions made by veterinarians where offspring are on the menu, an individual adapts to changes in its and colony managers creates a social hierarchies are mediated by environment and can be measured more comprehensive approach aggression and hormones control by how it reacts to novel stimuli. to the care of primate colonies. behaviors. In addition to behavior, Dr. Coleman’s studies used a 6-point two other measures of well-being scale that categorized temperament There is abundance in the breadth include the rate of growth and on levels of rhesus macaques from of literature on the care of labora- physiology. When compromised, shy to bold. Once individuals were tory primates and rodents. For ze- zebrafish depress their growth, assigned a temperament score, brafish, the bank of information is reproduction and immune function. experiments were conducted to less fruitful. The biomedical world Once caretakers get a grasp on all determine how temperament has benefited for decades from three aspects of zebrafish, abnormal affected three aspects of behavioral the use of zebrafish as a model for individuals are easily identified and management: social housing, numerous studies; yet, the care managers can begin to determine positive reinforcement training and of this species has lagged behind the source of the problem(s). abnormal behavior management. the science. Christian Lawrence Mr. Lawrence showed videos of Rhesus macaques with bold was aware of this discrepancy and normal zebrafish compared to temperament levels had the most presented a solution for providing abnormal individuals in fish tanks. successful socialization histories and proper care to zebrafish. As a fish The fish that were normal swam the more similar the temperament ecologist, Christian Lawrence is slowly throughout the fish tank and of two macaques, the greater the familiar with the biotic and were not bunched; however, the likelihood of compatibility. Positive abiotic requirements for fish abnormal fish swam in rapid spurts reinforcement training is an effective in their natural habitats. A zebra- on the bottom of the tank and were tool as it allows for shaping of fish in Children’s Hospital Boston, in tight clusters. It was apparent numerous behaviors; however, which has a population of approxi- that without knowledge of zebrafish temperament can affect the success mately 500,000 zebrafish, finds natural history and behavior, it would of training strategies. Dr. Coleman itself in unfamiliar conditions. be impossible to determine which confirmed that the shyest monkeys In order to derive the most group was normal versus abnormal. were the least trainable using positive appropriate care for zebrafish, The care of zebrafish at Children’s reinforcement training during a target Mr. Lawrence stressed the Hospital Boston has benefited from training task; therefore, alternative importance of examining three Mr. Lawrence’s work and the fish training methods were required. The components: natural history, tanks are density controlled and presence of abnormal behaviors often normal behavior and measures continued on pag 42

SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 41 Meeting Up continued from page 41

supplemented with live diets and consumption resulted in lower reward. While “fishing” for the plastic plants. Utilizing information expenditure for food. Warmer mice treats, the monkey coated its hand from field biology and natural showed a reduction in stress caused in the medicine and the lesions history is vital for the management by being exposed to temperatures receded. Kaile Bennett, Megan of any species. In labs where below the LCT. For studies that Nowland, Valerie Hill and Gerry non-traditional species are common, rely on proper immune function, Hish showed how the University a meticulous review of the species’ the validity of the data collected of Michigan Medical School utilized natural history and behavior is from mice with nesting material an “enrichment drive” to acquire critical to providing proper care. was stronger as a result of reducing donated milk jugs for swine and cold stress. Images from a thermal paper towel rolls for mice. The two Enriching the lives of laboratory camera vividly captured the heat winners of the poster contest were animals is often an expensive profile from mice inside of a nest. from Rutgers University and Yerkes endeavor. As president of Bio-Serv, The glowing orange and red forms National Primate Research Center. Dr. Karen Froberg-Fejko is familiar were unmistakable signs of warm Leslie Sheppard Bird, David Reimer with the business side of enrichment. mice. A simple mix of shredded and Elizabeth Dodemaide from For many institutions, money is the paper and tissue nesting paper was Rutgers University’s Laboratory limiting factor that affects the enough to create considerable ben- Animal Services presented a method diversity and composition of efits to facility mangers, technicians of delivering hay to rabbits by enrichment programs. Dr. Froberg- and researchers. Dr. Froberg-Fejko placing it inside of balloon whisks Fejko reminded everyone that if emphasized that adjustment to the hung in the cage. The rabbits spent the animals’ behavioral needs are macro- and microenvironments for time manipulating the whisks to kept in mind, enrichment can be our animals must be centered on retrieve hay and the whisks kept affordable and effective. Using an understanding of their normal the hay from contacting animal results from numerous studies, behaviors. If behavioral normalcy waste in the cage. This cost-effec- Dr. Froberg-Fejko showed how is kept in mind when selecting tive delivery option would benefit the proper adjustments to the enrichment ideas, the care and anyone looking for an engaging husbandry of rodents can result use of every species will result in enrichment option for rabbits. in cost savings and better science. rewards for animals and people. Forage boards are recognized as Mice and most other rodents have being one of the most effective a lower critical temperature (LCT) The Enrichment Extravaganza enrichment ideas for non-human around 26° Celsius; temperatures switched gears from the morning primates. Katie Chace, Jaine below the LCT can result in cold plenary sessions to a poster session. Perlman and Buddy “James” Jordan stress. Unfortunately, many Facilities from across the country identified a few flaws in the institutions house their mouse were represented in posters traditional turf used for most forage colonies at temperatures lower than that covered a diverse selection boards and presented an alternative the mouse’s LCT. To compensate for of topics. A clever method of option. Turf made from high density cold temperatures, mice build treating lesions on the hand of polyethylene material was found to meticulous nests out of various a bonnet macaque was displayed be stronger and more practical than materials. The addition of shredded by Paula Austin and Casey Coke- the softer turf. The new turf retained paper and tissue nesting pads to the Murphy of Vanderbilt University the same benefits as the traditional cages of mice yielded results that Medical Center Division of Animal turf and it appeared to be a suitable benefited the facility, the studies Care. Using a shaping plan and replacement for institutions with and the mice. When given nesting positive reinforcement, the destructive primates. These and material, mice tended to eat less researchers trained the patient to other posters that were presented since they expended less energy dip its hand in a solution containing at the 2012 Enrichment Extrava- to stay warm; decreased food Dexamethasone® and a food ganza may be found on the poster

42 SUMMER 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD repository (www.vetbiotech.com/ its set of three presentations began. ing to a day dedicated to providing posters2.php), which is a joint The topics discussed were diverse and a greater perspective on the direc- venture by The Enrichment Record included sessions on enrichment tion of enrichment. The speakers and and the Veterinary Bioscience for ferrets, positive reinforcement presenters were successful in dem- Institute. training for swine and socialization onstrating how vital enrichment is for of dogs. The workshops created the proper care and use of animals. After an enjoyable lunch with an opportunity for the audience to Attendees were exposed to enrich- various savory desert options, the engage the speakers and each other ment ideas for a diversity of species crowd dispersed into the afternoon by sharing their own experiences. and new methods for solving com- workshops. Workshops were divided Questions and discussions were mon problems. The 2012 Enrichment into three groups, with each group encouraged, which produced useful Extravaganza continued its tradition having three simultaneous presenta- insights into how personnel in various of creating a forum where the enrich- tions. Once the first workshop group facilities carried out enrichment. The ment community can assemble and was over, the second workshop with workshops were an appropriate end- benefit from one another.

Letter From

Lisa M. Kelly, RLATG, Training Coordinator Office of Animal Care and Use Boyd Graduate Studies Research Center, University of Georgia

The 2012 Emory Enrichment Extravaganza was great! I was so happy to represent LAWTE at this terrific event. The positive energy and the depth of caring that this group has for laboratory animals is truly inspiring. From primates to fish, there was so much good information. It is clear that there is a revolution in our industry of conscientious people who want to show the world that we take our obligation toward animal welfare very seriously.

Here are just a few of the key points that I took back to my home institution…

Did any of you know that a wire balloon whisk could be a great enrichment device??? Just fill it with hay and rabbits have a great source of nutrition and entertainment, without compromising their ability to be corprophagic. Milk jugs with a couple of small holes and little feed make great enrichment devices for pigs. Hours of fun without all of the dietary issues common with sweet treats. Pretty cool…especially at my budget conscious university.

Also, enrichment for fish!!! Now that is an area that I hadn’t really considered. And the best part was that Christian Lawrence spelled out how to sell the idea to your investigators using an argument that makes dollars and “sense” for them.

It was clear that the enrichment arena is expanding. We are getting more creative and more focused on innovative ideas that combine better living for our research animals with better data for our scientists. The world of research is changing. LAWTE and similarly minded individuals are showing that no one cares more about these animals or is working harder to improve their world.

Thanks for LAWTE’s support! I would encourage anyone who is able to attend an enrichment event. You will come away with some great ideas and a sense of pride for all of the good people in our industry.

summer 2012 | THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 43 The Enrichment Record is a quarterly E-Zine created Record by the Laboratory Animal Research Community as an online forum for: • Discussing environmenta ARE YOU A SUBSCRIBER? enrichment in the optimal care Our subscription list numbers of laboratory animals over 2000 of the most dedicated lab animal care professionals around the world. • Documenting best practices • Sharing data on the impact Subscriptions are free. of environmental enrichment Visit our website and subscribe today! on the science http://enrichmentrecord.com • Building the case for integrating enrichment into research design

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