[Maintenance and care of primates in Italy].

Investigation with nonhuman primates has made, and continues to make significant contribution to biomedical and behavioral research. Nowadays, laymen and scientists are becoming more concerned with the ways in which animals are maintained in captivity. In Italy, two laws (issued in 1931 and in 1941) enforce the regulations for keeping primates used for research. And more recently, the countries of the European Economic Community (EEC) have agreed on new regulations that should become law in these countries. Primates need to be in good physical and psychological health, and regulations should ensure and promote their well-being. Primates' psychological well-being is characterized by: a) good physical health; b) absence of stress; c) competence in dealing with environmental and social changes; d) broad behavioral repertoire and absence of stereotyped behaviors. Enrichment procedures aimed at improving the animals' psychological well-being are discussed.