Animals are housed and separated based on species and infections they have encountered. Prior to assignment to research protocols, all nonhuman primates have a physical examination performed by the veterinarian assigned to the research project to determine fitness for the particular study. A specific veterinarian is assigned to each research project at the time of IACUC review. This procedure allows continuity in the provision of care to individual animals. Breeding colony animals are housed in outdoor social groups. A minimum of twice yearly, all animals in a social group receive tuberculin testing, reproductive evaluations, and examination for pregnancy. Body weights, physiological samples, and demographic data are collected, and genealogical records are updated. Data collection and entry into the computerized animal records database allows the careful analysis of breeding colony production and clinical data.
