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Does mirror enrichment improve primate well-being?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

B de Groot  and
SM Cheyne
B de Groot*
Affiliation:
Lange Brugstraat 44C2, 4811 WS, Breda, The Netherlands
SM Cheyne
Affiliation:
Department of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gibbs Building, Gipsy Lane, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: [email protected]
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Abstract

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Primates are highly social animals and appropriate enrichment is required to ensure their psychological well-being. Mirrors are sometimes used as social or sensory environmental enrichment. In this paper we investigate the suitability of mirrors as enrichment for captive primates, by reviewing the literature on mirror implementation in captive primate environments. Mirror-directed responses are mainly social as the mirror self-image is often seen as a conspecific. Although positive exploration and affiliative behaviours are observed, negative aggressive behaviours towards the mirror are most frequently recorded, and abnormal behaviours in primates do not decrease in mirror-enriched environments. There appear to be differences in habituation rates to mirrors amongst primates. While habituation to enrichment is generally perceived to be undesirable, this criterion should not apply when mirrors elicit negative behaviours. Primates that show mirror self-recognition, which are mostly great apes, may be best suitable for mirror enrichment, as they do not perceive the mirror self-image as a threatening conspecific. Increasing the understanding of the reflective properties of a mirror might help primates to understand that the image in the mirror is not real. This could be attained by using small, mobile mirrors. We suggest that mirrors can make decent primate enrichment if the primate understands its reflective properties, which should be evaluated on an individual level. Appropriate use of mirrors as sensory enrichment can improve primate well-being and prevent suffering.

Keywords

abnormal behaviouranimal welfarecaptivityself-recognitionsolitarystress
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 25 , Issue 2 , May 2016 , pp. 163 - 170
Copyright
© 2016 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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