Comments On: Disaster Preparation

Disaster Preparedness For Primates Contributed to the Simian by Kevin Ivester [part 1 of 2]
The likelihood of man-made and natural disasters is a certain, but infrequent, event regardless of where a person lives. Such disasters, be they natural (floods, earthquakes, storms) or man-made (toxic spills, fires) require preparedness in order to eliminate total helplessness, injury or death. It's difficult when tragedy strikes and you have family and pets to be concerned with. However, the problem can be exacerbated when you have primates, especially adults which may no longer be easily handled and need to be relocated to safety within a short period of time. What do you do? What do you need? How do you care for primates in a disaster situation?
The following steps are designed to assist you in making preparations for yourself and your primates for disaster situations.:
Step 1. Assemble an emergency care kit (see below). Most of these items can be assembled and kept stored for future use with the exception of food, water, medication and tranquilizer.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR PRIMATES
(from the Primate Care Handbook 2nd edition)
carrter/cages, net, gloves, heavy clothes
blankets (large & thick), straw/shavings/newspaper,bleach,
*bottled water
water bottles
* chow, Nutrical, non-perishables
*medication (if needed)
first aid kit (human & non-human-refer to Health)
tranquilizer & syringes (refer to Chemical restraint)
trash receptacles (containter & plastic bags)
flashlight with charged batteries, duct tape, rope
small kerosene heater & kerosene generator (if possible)
*perpare a two-week supply. refer to the Product Directory of the Primate Care Haridbook for restraint equipment sources Brad and Trouble

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Disaster Preparedness For Primates Contributed to the Simian by Kevin Ivester [part 2 of 2]
Step 2. Familiarize yourself with the various capture and restraint methods described earlier in this chapter. ("Capture & Restraint")
Step 3. Compose a list of emergency contact phone numbers such as your veterinarian, as well as other primate owners whom you may need to call upon for assisstance. You should also keep a second list with your emergency care kit.
Step 4. If possible, keep fencing panels or portable cages on hand in the event a primary enclosure should be damaged or destroyed. These cages may have to serve as temporary housing until the primary enclosure is repaired or replaced.
Step 5. During an impending disaster, close your primates into their indoor area, or place them in small cages which can be relocated to a safer area or building.
During an actual disaster you must see to yourself and your family's welfare first. Without you and the assistance of your family there will be no one to help your primates. If the primate cannot be captured, or time doesn't permit, leave ample water (for several days) in a fixed container which cannot be upset, and food (monkey biscuits are less perishable). In addition, leave contact information posted in the vicinity of the primates' quarters along with warning signs for well-meaning rescuers. What a tragedy it would be for a primate to survive a disaster only to end up being injured or killed for attacking someone. If you return home and a primate is missing, contact animal welfare and law enforcement agencies for assistance.
Only recently have disaster shelters been established which will accept both people and their pets. However, there are very few of these facilities, and they are located in large metropolitan areas. In addition, these shelters will only accept domestic pets (i.e. cats and dogs). This fact emphasizes why it is important for primate owners to establish ties with other primate owners in their area, state, or region. You never know when you may need to call upon one another someday.
The daily maintenance of the primate while in temporary quarters can be difficult or inconvenient. It would be preferable in most cases to line a carrier or cage (without the drop tray) with straw, shavings or newspaper, especially in situations involving adult or unhandleable primates. There are several reasons for this. Straw, shavings or newspaper will absorb moisture, cut down odor, and won't have to be cleaned daily. In addition, these items provide enrichment; straw can be nibbled and food items can be hidden in all three. Straw, shavings and paper are also safer than using blankets, towels or sheets as these items can be ripped or torn and become entangled around a limb or the neck.
Even though most dry commercial diets or monkey biscuits are dull if fed alone, it is the best food to keep on hand while a primate is in temporary caging. Biscuits are easy to keep, require no special pre- paration, and are usually small enough to slip through cage wire or Ibars. Other easy-to-keep foods are seeds and nuts, dried fruits, and cereals. Water, of course, should be kept available at all times. In situations where the quality of the water is questionable, it would be advisable to boil the water for one minute to help eliminate bacteria and other impurities. In situations where boiling water isn't possible, bleach can be added to purify the water: four drops per quart of water (.946 liters) or 16 drops per one gallon of water (3.79 liters). The solutions should be mixed well, then wait 30 minutes before using--the water should have a slight bleach odor.
In times of a disaster it is great to hope for the best, but always plan for the worst.
Additional information on how to prepare yourself for a disaster can be obtained from a Red Cross Disaster Preparedness pamphlet. Brad and Trouble
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Monkey Matters: The Video presented by The International Primate Association
Monkeys In Action: Enrichment and More [Part 10 of 21]
Rough Housing
In this clip you see an adult squirrel monkey wrestling with a human hand. The hand acts in effect as another monkey, a wrestling partner. Is rough house recommended or does it encourage aggression? There is no simple answer with monkeys. In some individuals it might promote aggression. This squirrel monkey is not a biter and uses his mouth without baring his teeth down while he plays. Were a monkey to bite during play the play session would need to end in order to avoid reinforcing the bite. How can the line be drawn between play and teasing? If the monkey feels bullied or aggravated to the point aggression even displaced aggression directed to someone else in the room the play is inappropriate. A monkey has social play needs especially when young. A substitute for hand wrestling is to use a thick furry hand puppet or to hold a stuffed toy in place as a mock wrestler.
Beware.....
There is more to monkeys than meets the eye.
We're full of surprises!
Monkeys may unexpectedly show affection, loyalty, playfulness or intelligence.
They may unexpectedly hug or kiss you lean against you, share activities with you, amaze and delight you.
Monkeys may unexpectedly hit, grab, pinch or kick you. They may unexpectedly pull your hair, bite, scratch, slap or chase you.
And don't forget....
Some of us grow big enough to over power you!
Tunnel Play
Monkeys are often hidden in the wild and enjoy playing in this six foot hiding tunnel. To construct this tunnel buy two rubbermaid rather heavy duty trash containers. Use a sharp knife to cut a circle out of the bottom of each can leaving a two inch rim so the bottoms can be bolted together. Use a drill to make several holes and insert bolts or wire ties. Cut a few lookout holes in the tunnel sides. Its ready for hanging by the handles. In mild weather these monkeys leave their warm box and use the tunnel as shelter from the rain. Brad and Trouble
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Monkey Matters: The Video presented by The International Primate Association
Monkeys In Action: Enrichment and More [Part 11 of 21]
Hidden Treats
This deBrazzo guenon was motivated to go searching in a suitcase where she had seen favorite fruits hidden. It is a curious monkey's nature to poke, pry and investigate. Bringing in novel items like this suitcase can add new interest to an otherwise old hat, static or boring cage environment.
A program of veterinary care may include:
1 A case history of your primate
2 Possible vaccinations for
tetanus
measles
rabies
3 Testing for
tuberculous
for macaque herpes b (negative results are inconclusive)
4 A yearly physical exam including
blood profile
fecal samples for parasites
fecal cultures for shigella and salmonella
5 Possible canine reduction
6 Plan for capture and restraint
7 Possible microchip for ID
8 Visits as needed for diagnoses and treatment for injuries or illness
Backyard Foraging On A Leash
Monkeys who are belt and leashed trained from an early age have the advantage of being able to walk and explore under the supervision in outdoor settings such as the backyard.
Natural Habitat -- The backyard "greenroom"
Here is another example of a workable way for the committed caretaker with one or two small monkeys. This 35 by 30 foot filtered light enclosure has a view into the house and includes a ten foot wide L-shaped sitting deck for monkeys and humans to share. These monkeys have learned to eat on the spacious deck and rarely carry food into the planted area. Well socialized monkeys feel safer with a habitat which allows them a view of their human moms or dads. Filtered light can be created with a variety of materials in order to accommodated various species and a overhead rain system has been installed here for added humidity. Well fed adult monkeys use to living in a large space are generally less destructive to plant life than mischievous juveniles. Brad and Trouble
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Monkey Matters: The Video presented by The International Primate Association
Monkeys In Action: Enrichment and More [Part 12 of ?]
A word about toxic plants....
When you have a monkey about the home and yard take samples of all plants to your garden center or county extension office for identification.......
There are many plants that can cause critical symptoms and even death. With outdoor monkeys watch for toadstools and toxic weeds.
Ideally you will offer a variety of produce to your monkey as an addition to a basic diet of primate chow. Primate chow should be checked for freshness and ideally used within three months of the date of manufacture. Precise dietary needs may vary in individual primates such as those under stress, primates with certain medical conditions, those who are pregnant, who lactating or aging. Offering a varied diet insures your primate will receive the more than 44 essential nutrients needed for optimal health. Produce contains many elements not contained in monkey chow such as a cancer fighting agent found in tomatoes and chlorophyl found in Remain and other dark greens. Offer a variety of tastes, colors and textures. A monkey whose taste buds have been spoiled by a high sugar, high fat, and high salt human snack foods is less likely to consume vegetables and a healthful diet.
Monkey chows have been historically formulated for laboratory primates and not for highly palatable taste. Try soaking chows in a beverage your monkey likes. Diluted formula, diluted fruit juice or even a 50% diluted fruit drink such as Sunny Delight. The captive monkey's appetite for healthful foods, chow and vegetables seem often spoiled by the feeding of sweet foods. If your monkey refuses chow and vegetables try gradually removing sweet foods from the diet including cookies, candy, grapes, dried fruit and bananas. Gradually over time your monkey will adjust to a better, more varied diet.
It should be noted that vitamin D found in human foods is not the same as vitamin D3 and is of no use to a monkey. Vitamin D3 is essential to a monkeys health and life and must be supplied to indoor monkeys not under Vital lights. Remember that Granola and nuts are high in fats and should be used sparingly. Use low fat dairy products and lean proteins. Offer grains that are high in fiber. Monkeys who eat a civilized human diet are most likely to suffer from human diseases as they age. Brad and Trouble
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Monkey Matters: The Video presented by The International Primate Association
Monkeys In Action: Enrichment and More [Part 13 of 21]
Hose Loop Swing
Here is a fun, easy to make swing. Cut a length of garden hose and a length of wire and you can complete this project in less than five minutes. (Shows putting wire about or thicker than the gauge of clothes hanger wire through the garden hose piece and twisting the ends that extend from the hose together with dyke pliers forming a hose loop.) If you add a double snap lock at the top the swing can be moved from time to time to different areas of monkey cage. Hose loop swings are easy to wash down. Large monkeys, however, who have not had their canine teeth reduced may destroy most enrichment items including these swings.
Soft places, backyard walk, plastic eggs with treats, neighbors grooming, swinging basket.
Sleep and Play Nest
Squirrel monkeys in particular naturally sit on their tails. Napping on a hard shelve can fur lose, tail sores or callousing. A knitted sleep and play nest can be made from a hat design or by sewing two knitted squares together. Two large pot holders or velour brush clothes sewn together will also make a comfortable nest. Small monkeys such as night monkeys, marmosets, dwarf bushbabies and also young capuchins and macaques will enjoy this nest. Hide small bits of dried food, seeds, whole flakes oat or barley, mealworms or a small toy in the nest for the monkey to discover during the day.
Unbreakable Mirror, sleeping together, social play, play toys
Sandbox
Access to sand offers an interesting tactile experience for monkeys who may grab, sift and even throw sand. (Shown an old tire with the middle filled with sand.) A cement mixing tub can also be used as a sand box or a little Tikes brand covered frog sand box. Bags of sterol sand can be purchased at most Depot and Toys R Us stores. For indoor monkey rooms use Miller's wheat bran purchased in bulk as substitute sand. Hide small treats in a tub of bran. It is edible and sweeps up more easily than sand at the end of the day. Brad and Trouble

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Monkey Matters: The Video presented by The International Primate Association
Monkeys In Action: Enrichment and More [Part 14 of 21]
A Stairway of Branches
A single perch is usually provided for a monkey but sometimes the obvious is overlooked. Its easy and inexpensive to offer several. Monkeys in the wild make use of layers of multiple branch work. Shows some of the ways an older capuchin shifts and postures himself to use his comfortable stairway of branches.
Remember monkey friendship..... also changes from one moment to the next.
The Walk-in Cage: Grooming
Again the act of being groomed for a monkey is a relaxing experience that promotes his or her psychological well-being. Time shared with a single monkey , one on one, is quality time. It promotes and strengthens the monkey human bond. Every monkey raised as part of the family or as a household pet would do best to have a walk-in cage from the beginning. For the committed caretaker the walk-in cage is a solution from many possible scenarios. The walk-in cage allows the primary caretaker the space to interact with monkey no matter what is going on in the human household.
The Walk-in Cage: Feeding
This clip shows a twelve year old boy feeding active two year old Vervet with guidance from an adult. Hand feeding is a shared activity that monkeys respond well to. Children require adult supervision with monkeys even when they are ten to twelve years or older.
The Walk-in Cage: Playing
For the human bonded monkey the walk-in cage works well for sharing monkey games like chase, hide and seek or tickle. Monkeys tend to be possessive of their space as they become juvenile or older. There maybe rules to follow when sharing space inside a monkey's cage such as not touching or moving toys or cage furniture. The appropriateness of playtime has to be gauged with each individual monkey. Hands on play as shown in this clip comes out of a trust based relationship. (Woman picking up, hugging, kissing and rubbing monkey.) Trust and bonding are maintained through daily contact and long periods of grooming. Trust and bonding can also be gained and maintained by sleeping or napping with your monkey. Again this monkey is not baring down with her teeth when she plays. True biting should be grounds for ending playtime. Brad and Trouble
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Monkey Matters: The Video presented by The International Primate Association
Monkeys In Action: Enrichment and More [Part 15 of 21]
Working For Treats
This is a simple idea to use with see-through film canisters. Use a piece of carrot or other hard vegetable to pug the end of a film canister that contains a few raises or mealworms. The sight of the treat is a motivator for monkey put it will take some time to get past the carrot. Again adult monkeys must be observed to make sure they don't consume the canister. (Maybe something similar could be devise using a see-through VCR case. I know Trouble is fascinated by VCR tapes if he is lucky to get a hold of one! :-)
Jug Foraging
Jug foraging can be use with any kind of monkey including macaques. Rinse and save plastic milk or juice jugs and use a knife to cut a hand sized hole in the side. A length of chain and a double snap lock make a easy setup for attach the jug to the outside of the cage. Jugs are hard to sterilize so simple replace them. Offer more than one jug to a group of monkeys.
Remember....
--where there's a monkey
--there is a mess
--we don't do cleanup. (Right Trouble?)
Cleaning House
Cleaning outside on a concrete slab is probably the easiest if you can construct indoor cages in panel form so they can be disassembled and taken outdoor periodically for a thorough cleaning. Let item stand fifteen minutes or so then spray on bleach or apply cleaners by hand. Cage wire can be cleaned with a wire brush to look like almost new. Use a pressure nozzle for the final rinse. Simple green is non-toxic but doesn't bleach out stains like the ones these play structures. Clorox bleach or Clorox cleanup have a high level of toxic fumes and should not be use in the vicinity of monkeys. Lisol spray is one great sanitizer to spray directly on for cleaning. Most cleaning products are toxic if ingested. Read all labels for information on toxic fumes. Finish your clean up with a pressure nozzle for an extra good rinse. Toys can be run through the dishwasher. Brad and Trouble

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Monkey Matters: The Video presented by The International Primate Association
Monkeys In Action: Enrichment and More [Part 16 of 21]
Big Furniture
This Little Tikes toy house can be purchased at a big store like Toys R Us. Little Tikes offers climbing structures with slides, a tree house desire, a merry-go-round, a picnic table with built in benches, wagons, large cars and more. These monkeys climb on top of and inside their playhouse. They prefer the taller 6 foot tree house not shown to the 3 foot play structure shown here. The octopus merry-go-round is great for active capuchins and macaques who will push and give themselves a ride. The plastic picnic table with the attached benches makes a workable monkey feeding, climbing and sitting table.
More Soft Places, Pumpkin Play, Harness Walking, Harness Wading
Napsacks
This knapsack brand small hammock has the advantage of being soft, comfortable yet easy to remove for machine washing. Napsacks come in several sizes and bits of dry food or small toys can be left in the Napsack as surprises for monkeys. Several types of monkeys have been observed using these little hammocks like a trampoline.
Mirror and Hammock Play
Watch the quality of play demonstrated by this two year old Vervet as she jumps in and out of her sheet hammock. Her movement are relaxed, spontaneous and even creative as she interact with the soft flexible play surface. Too often monkeys in captivity are surrounded by hard surfaces where they must continually gauge their movements so as not to injure themselves. Relaxed play requires a soft landing surface and ample space. It is best learned by young monkeys before the age of adulthood. A sheet hammock is best offered supervision and can be easily be tied into the corner of a cage.
And now a word....from our chef.
Wendy's Coollets Eggs
Bake 350 degrees 35 minutes
3 Eggs
1/4 cup lowfat milk
1/4 cup oat bran
1-1/2 cup chopped fruit and
1 Tablespoon honey
OR
1-1/2 cup chopped vegetables instead of fruit
Brad and Trouble

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humans decended from chimps are very simular in many ways.
We share the same emotions and have their own personalities.


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