citation_inspection: 95

A room containing four owl monkeys had a relative humidity reading of 21% on Kestral reading during inspection. A review of the January 2015 room log indicated that humidity had been below 20% every day of the month to date (3 weeks). A paper posted at the room boldly showed the target humidity to be 40% with a range of 30 to 70%. Indoor housing facilities as defined in 9CFR section 1.1 must be capable of maintaining humidity levels of 30 to 70%. Due to the small size of these animals, and their native habitat, a 20% relative humidity is not consistent with a level that ensures the health and well-being of the animals housed and is not consistent with generally accepted professional and husbandry practices. Failure to provide appropriate humidity can result in the development of clinical signs including coughing, dehydration, and nose-bleeds. While the facility is currently monitoring for these signs, intervention would only be provided after the animal had felt the effects related to low humidity. Indoor housing facilities for non-human primates must maintain the relative humidity at a level that ensures the health and well-being of the animals as directed by the attending veterinarian. Additionally, humidity must be maintained at levels in-keeping with generally accepted professional and husbandry practices. Correct By: 13 February 2015