Zoo visitors as a source of enrichment to reduce abnormal behavior in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in the Central Zoo, Kathmandu, Nepal

Overexpression of abnormal behavior among captive primates indicates poor management practices. The type, frequency, and contributing factors behaviors vary highly across individual animals in settings. This study explored if sex, rearing history, the number visitors, type visitor-monkey interactions affected rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) housed at Central Zoo Kathmandu, Nepal. Behavioral observations six adult (ages 4–12 years; two were rescued from wild, four born zoo) conducted using focal animal sampling method. Observations collected daily conditions (7:00–10:00 AM, without visitors present; 10:00 AM–1:00 PM, with present). During visitor presence condition, instantaneous scan also was implemented every 10 minutes to record interaction. Resting, feeding grooming most prevalent activities, ranked fifth throughout observation period. Significant differences observed or stress-related by sex history: females engaged more than males, monkeys born. Abnormal decreased, begging increased as zoo extent interaction increased. We conclude that respond a source enrichment, visitors' helps decrease levels.