Methodology for step 3

The experiment will build upon methodologies developed for other experiments conducted at the Tsaobis Baboon Project that involve the use of cognitive testing devices.

(1) We will habituate baboons to ‘toys’ by presenting them to groups of baboons. It is important that the baboons do not learn to associate the researchers with objects; for this reason, we will present objects using a previously-successful methodology where an object is placed secretly behind the backpack of a human observer before the observer moves away. We will use focal animal sampling and video recording to record all the interactions with the objects.

(2) We will deploy a task that the baboons must use the object to solve. Again, wewill build on an established methodology (as yet unpublished). Recently, Dr Carter deployed touchscreen computers encased in bespoke-made ‘cages’ to administer cognitive tests in situ. The cage protected the testing unit but concurrently allowed the baboons to interact with the screen. We will not use touchscreens for the proposed experiment, the same anchoring principle can be used to provide a cognitive task to the baboons. Baboons will be given the toys used in the first part of this study, which will be necessary to solve the task.