A Simple Chest Harness and Pole Leash for Routine Tansfer of Rhesus Monkeys from Home Cage to Behavioral Test Apparatus and Back.

摘要

A chest harness and pole leash method to transfer rhesu monkeys weighing up to 16 kg from home cage to primate restraint chair was designed. The harness is made of leather straps that cross the chest in an X fashion that creates a V neck. The V neck eliminates the strangulation hazard of neck collars, and minimizes interference between the harness and neck hole of restraint chairs. Two pole leashes attached to two points on the harness give the handler considerable control over the posture of the monkey, facilitating teaching the monkey to walk with a leash and to climb into its restraint chair or test apparatus. During transfer the rigid pole prevents escape and protects the handler from attack. Quick release mechanisms on the pole leash allow prompt, complete separation from the animal when it reenters its home cage. This transfer method has resulted in safer and more efficient training and utilization of monkeys in neurobehavioral research projects designed to evaluate the effects of hazardous chemical and radiation environments on task performance. (Author)