Behavioral effects of a change in the physical environment: A pilot study of captive chimpanzees

Abstract

Abstract A small group of chimpanzees was studied before and after their translocation from a laboratory environment to a naturalistic man‐made island. After 22 weeks of island living, stereotyped and self‐directed behavior was dramatically reduced. Social behavior did not improve on the island, but the animals were more active and manipulative in the enriched setting. Naturalistic environments are clearly conducive to normal behavior patterns.