Macaques Macaca mulatta (rhesus) Macaca fascicularis (cynomolgus)

The Wisconsin National Primate Research Center is lab dish of cells can take the place of a living, home to about 1,130 rhesus monkeys and 220 cyno- complex biological organism when examining a molgus monkeys. The genus Macaca has 12 species disease, or testing a vaccine or other therapy for and about 46 subspecies. Its range includes North effectiveness and side effects. Africa, Gibraltar, Asia from Afghanistan to China and Japan and all of Southeast Asia and India. These monkeys are medium to large, heavily built, and they About our rhesus monkeys range in color through various shades of brown to black. The species in residence here represent the The rhesus monkey is an Old World primate spe- rhesus and the cynomolgous macaque, also known as cies native to eastern Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal and parts of China. These monkeys can live the crab-eating or long-tailed macaque. up to 40 years in captivity. Our rhesus monkeys are mainly involved in projects such as develop- Our macaque colonies ing an AIDS vaccine, understanding reproductive and genetic disorders, and exploring the effects of The center has several active breeding colonies, a age-related health concerns. While too numerous colony of older monkeys for studies related to aging, to list here, many of the projects are and a general research colony for other projects. All described on our web site, at www. research is conducted under strict compliance with primate.wisc.edu. the Animal Welfare Act and USDA Guidelines for the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. About our cynomolgus Why use macaques? monkeys Macaques are genetically very similar to humans. The range of the cynomolgus They especially share analogous neurological, repro- macaque, is confined to South- ductive and immunological systems with humans. east Asia, including the Philip- Rhesus and cynomolgous macaques are not endan- pines. Cynomolgus macaques have the habit of gered in the wild and adapt well to captive housing. inserting their hands in small burrows or holes Research with rhesus and cynomolgous monkeys, to find crabs or other animals. In the mangrove as well as with other nonhuman primates, teaches us swamps of their wild habitat, they have learned a great deal about primate biology. Animal studies to feed on crabs and other small animals exposed can be better controlled and garner more consistent by the low tide. They have a life span of about 30 results than human studies, and are often precursors years in captivity. The cynomolgus monkey is to human studies. best known as the first preclinical test animal for the development of the polio vaccine. They are Scientists are always developing alternatives to using involved in WNPRC studies of infectious disease, monkeys and other animals in research. Computer reproduction and genetics. models are highly useful research tools, for example. In many cases, however, neither a computer nor a

Copyright 2019 University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents Frequently asked questions A Day In The Life... How is the monkeys’ care regulated? Regulations governing research animal care and A typical day for a macaque at the Wisconsin use are very strict. Our animal care practices meet National Primate Research Center consists of: or exceed the requirements of the Federal Animal Welfare Act and comply with the USDA and Public °Regular meals of monkey chow, plus snacks Health Service’s Guidelines for the Humane Care of apples, grapes, bananas and other fruit. and Use of Laboratory Animals. Research projects and animal care policies are regularly reviewed by °Grooming: The monkeys, most of which are center personnel, university committees and federal housed in pairs or groups, groom one another government officials during site visits, including throughout the day. Grooming and social unannounced inspections. The center must also interaction are the main requirements of most provide annual reports of all activities to the National captively housed monkeys. Institutes of Health and United States Congress. The center is regularly reviewed and accredited by °Ongoing enrichment activities: These include the Association for the Assessment and Accredita- food puzzles, foraging boards, frozen treats, tion of Laboratory and Animal Care - International chew toys, mirrors, hammocks, swings, swim- (AAALAC-I). ming pools and other engaging objects. °Health care: The monkeys undergo routine Does the research hurt the monkeys? physical examinations, regular dental care, pre- Most of our center’s research is noninvasive—it does and perinatal care for mothers, and post natal not harm the animal physically or psychologically. care for infants as needed. Typical procedures include ultrasound, blood draws, urine collection, tissue biopsies and noninvasive brain imaging such as fMRI—just as humans are Can I see the monkeys? tested in clinical settings. Such testing helps us not only learn more about the animals’ basic biological Public access to our animal housing areas is re- processes for research purposes, but also helps us stricted. The animals know and trust their caretakers, take better care of the monkeys themselves. Animal but too many strangers in the animal areas can stress caretakers work patiently with the monkeys to train the monkeys, affect their health, and impede both them to cooperate for procedures, and the monkeys animal care activities and research data collection. get fruit rewards or other treats afterwards. In addition, rhesus monkeys and humans can carry illnesses that, while often dormant or easily treatable The monkeys must be treated humanely at all times. in the carrier, can be extremely dangerous, even fatal If they undergo invasive surgery—to remove a if contracted by the other species. Our center vet- tumor, deliver an infant by Cesarean section, or test erinarians and animal caretakers are highly trained a new therapy, for instance—anesthesia is always to prevent both themselves and the monkeys from used, just as it is for human surgeries. In addition, if transmitting such diseases. an animal is terminally ill, a center veterinarian will do everything possible to make the animal comfort- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center able, yet also has the responsibility to euthanize the University of Wisconsin-Madison animal before it begins to suffer from chronic pain or Jon E. Levine, Director severe physical deterioration. www.primate.wisc.edu

Monkeys may also be humanely euthanized to meet National Institutes of Health Office of Research Infrastructure Programs. a research need; for example, to more closely exam- ine the pathology of a novel virus such as Zika in Fact sheet text by Summer Lei Shidler various tissues and organs, or to evaluate the effects & Jordana Lenon of a vaccine or other research intervention on all tis- (updated 2019) sues and organs in the animal.