Health and welfare of howler monkeys in captivity

Abstract

Among platyrrhines, howler monkeys are commonly traded illegally as pets in Central and South America, resulting in the high mortality of specimens. Many of these animals end up in long-term captive situations in zoos and rehabilitation centers, where adaptation may be difficult. Careful husbandry planning, taking into account the animals’ behavioral, anatomical, and evolutionary characteristics, can greatly improve survivability. This chapter aims to provide information on howler monkey welfare in captivity, including enclosure design, environmental enrichment, feeding and nutrition, and diseases, based upon the biology and ecology of the species. Digestive physiology, behavioral ecology, and the social system of howler monkeys are major factors to take into account to provide adequate captive conditions. Aspects such as social integration, controlled temperature, indoor and outdoor enclosures, and hiding places should be met. The provision of foraging plants within the enclosure is ideal to stimulate natural feeding behavior. Behavioral enrichment measures need to be devised to prevent behavioral disorders. For successfully maintaining howler monkeys in captivity, animals should be trained to consume a wide variety of natural fiber sources. Special attention should be placed on quantities of food sources rich in gluten and other allergenic proteins. Acute and chronic syndromes such as gastric dilatation, howler monkey wasting disease, and metabolic bone disease can be prevented when provided adequate diets. Many diseases may be acquired in the wild. However, other infectious diseases (viral, bacterial, and parasitic) are concomitant to stress and improper management. Very few studies have been carried out in captive howler populations to fully understand the husbandry and care requirements. Although howlers are very adaptive in nature and although it is a genus widely distributed throughout Central and South America, they are susceptible to many diseases that might threaten their population in the wild. Achieving a better knowledge of these factors in captivity may contribute to the development of healthy captive populations for future reintroductions to the wild.