Thousands of trafficked Neotropical primates enter Latin American wildlife rehabilitation centres every year. There is a lack of research related to their health and behaviour and how these relate to personality. Moreover, the ethical issues on their reintroduction have not been discussed. The first aim of this dissertation was to investigate the health of capuchin monkeys in two Brazilian rescue centres and obtain their haematological and physiological values and parasitological status. Results showed that they had similar physiological and haematological values to previously published data. Five individuals were positive to Ancylostoma spp. The second aim was to analyse the behaviour of the capuchins to provide an initial assessment of their rehabilitation. This was performed by using changes in behaviours (activity budgets) and a behavioural diversity index. When comparing the baseline and final observational phases, behavioural diversity, affiliative behaviours and inactivity increased whilst human interaction decreased. The third aim was to assess the personality structure of the capuchins by utilising behavioural observations, tests and observer trait ratings. Four dimensions were obtained from trait ratings (Openness, Neuroticism, Assertiveness and Sociability) and five from tests (creative, aggressive, stereotypic, sociable to humans and risk-averse). The fourth aim was to investigate the association between personality and health (body condition and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios) of the individuals. There was a significant negative correlation between Sociability and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and between stress-related behaviours and body condition. The fifth aim was to investigate the association of personality with behavioural changes during rehabilitation. Results suggested stereotypy, aggression and Assertiveness influenced vigilance behaviours and Neuroticism influenced space and substrate use. The sixth aim was to analyse the ethical issues related to the reintroduction of trafficked Neotropical primates. I developed an Ethical Matrix and suggested a set of recommendations as guidelines that may be used when confronted with these issues.
Health, Behaviour and Individual Differences of Capuchin Monkeys (Sapajus sp.) in Rehabilitation for Reintroduction
Hernandez Cruz, G. J. (Author). 18 Jul 2022
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)