Acute restraint device for rhesus monkeys.

A practical and inexpensive alternative to the standard primate chair is described. The apparatus is designed to allow easy removal of rhesus monkeys from their home cages and to allow restraint without anesthesia. A portable Plexiglas cage, which can be adjusted to accommodate rhesus monkeys of varying sizes, is placed against an animal's home cage. The animal is then trained to avoid the squeeze mechanism of the home cage by going into the Plexiglas cage. The animal's head can then be secured by means of poles hooked to a light weight collar worn permanently. This device and procedure allows an investigator to work with a restrained animal without resorting to drugs, unnecessary force or chronic restraint. Animals can be transferred daily with this technique with minimal conditioning and cooperation.