![]() Very few studies have been carried out in captive howler populations to fully understand the husbandry and care requirements. However, other infectious diseases (viral, bacterial, and parasitic) are concomitant to stress and improper management. Many diseases may be acquired in the wild. ![]() Acute and chronic syndromes such as gastric dilatation, howler monkey wasting disease, and metabolic bone disease can be prevented when provided adequate diets. Special attention should be placed on quantities of food sources rich in gluten and other allergenic proteins. For suc-cessfully maintaining howler monkeys in captivity, animals should be trained to consume a wide variety of natural fi ber sources. Behavioral enrichment measures need to be devised to prevent behavioral disorders. The provision of foraging plants within the enclosure is ideal to stimulate natural feeding behavior. Aspects such as social integration, controlled temperature, indoor and outdoor enclosures, and hiding places should be met. Digestive physiology, behavioral ecology, and the social system of howler monkeys are major factors to take into account to provide adequate cap-tive conditions. This chapter aims to provide information on howler monkey welfare in captivity, including enclosure design, environmental enrichment, feeding and nutrition, and diseases, based upon the biology and ecol-ogy of the species. Careful husbandry planning, taking into account the animals' behavioral, anatomical, and evolutionary characteristics, can greatly improve survivability. ![]() ![]() Many of these animals end up in long-term captive situations in zoos and rehabilita-tion centers, where adaptation may be diffi cult. Among platyrrhines, howler monkeys are commonly traded illegally as pets in Central and South America, resulting in the high mortality of specimens. ![]()
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