A new device for the capture and transport of small nonhuman primates in scientific research.

Conventional methods of capturing marmosets and other small nonhuman primates (NHPs) require prolonged physical contact between animals and their handlers. This causes NHPs to become stressed and exhausted and can put both animals and handlers at risk of injury or exposure to infectious diseases. The authors designed a self-contained device for the capture and transport of small NHPs. Food rewards encourage primates to enter the device independently, and handlers can then easily access the animals for routine veterinary or experimental procedures. Preliminary observations suggest that marmosets quickly become accustomed to the device and that the device causes less stress than capture by hand or by net.