Cayo Santiago

Rules of Cayo Santiago

1. Entry to the facility will be granted only upon clearance of the Director of the Caribbean Primate Research Center, the Colony Manager of Cayo Santiago and/or the Resident Scientist or Cayo Santiago. Visitors with legitimate scientific or educational purpose will be permitted on Cayo Santiago only after prior approval. All persons must present written evidence of a negative tuberculin skin test within six months or a negative chest radiograph obtained within a year prior to entry on the island. A tetanus toxoid booster or primary inoculation is highly recommended. For those staying for greater than six months, a new tuberculin test must be obtained every six months. Visitors must provide proof of being over 18 years of age prior to enter Cayo Santiago.
   
   
2. Users will make every effort to abide by the existing boat schedule to and from the island in order to avoid wasting time and effort of both staff and other investigators. The boat will depart promptly as schedule. To avoid being left behind on the dock, allow sufficient time to travel to the dock. For safety and legal reasons will operate boats only staff of the Caribbean Primate Research Center.
   
   
3. Users will not feed the monkeys, unless it is a part of an IACUC approved protocol. Provisioning is confined to the three feeding / trapping corrals. Ad libitum feeding by observers or guests quickly biases the orientation of the animals from one of neutral interaction with investigators to that of random food source and where monkeys can expect to receive food from humans. This makes observational work difficult at best and introduces significant bias into behavioral data. It is also extremely dangerous and may result in personal injury. Unauthorized feeding is grounds for immediate dismissal.
   
   
4. Smoking and expectorating is prohibited on Cayo Santiago.
   
   
5. In order to conduct research at Cayo Santiago all investigators must sign a collaborative agreement with the Caribbean Primate Research Center and shall abide by the terms therein.
   
   
6. Investigators are responsible for learning the identities of their study animals. All monkeys are identifiable by tattoo on the chest and inner thigh as well as by ear notches. Investigators with approved protocols will be provided with a monthly census of the existing population and the matrilineal lineages in the island. Use of data beyond the scope of the approval research is not permitted and requires submission of a new proposal to the CPRC and IACUC.
   
   
7. Investigators can work only in the Punta Santiago office with the Cayo Santiago files. The documents, computer disks, etc. are not to be removed from the office under any circumstance except for protection from potential hurricanes or some other emergency as deemed necessary by the Administration of Cayo Santiago.
   
   
8. Visiting students and scientists will conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the needs of other ongoing research projects and will take into consideration the importance of maintenance of the intact and minimally disturbed Cayo Santiago population. Visitors should avoid any actions, which might jeopardize the good relations that have been established over the past sixty-five years with the local community. Behavior that jeopardizes the operation of Cayo Santiago directly or indirectly may be grounds for termination of research.
   
   
9. There are many street dogs and street cats in Punta Santiago. These animals are very friendly in Punta Santiago, but are not always welcome by members of our community. There has been a history of poisoning animals. Animals that are fed (or given water) return to be fed after investigators leave. If you feed an animal this is your pet and you are responsible for bringing this pet home with you. Animals returning home to Europe with you are quarantined for over 6 months.
   
   
10. Investigators are expected to assist the CPRC staff in the operation of the facility only in cases of emergency and at other times on a volunteer basis only.
    
    
11. Suggestions, requests or complaints about aspects of the operation or management policy are to be directed to the Colony Manager and may be appealed to the Director of the CPRC.
    
    
12. Use of controlled substance is strictly forbidden on all facilities of the CPRC.
    
    
13. Emergency transportation may be provided by the CPRC in case of injury during work hours with the use of the official vehicle of the CPRC-Cayo Santiago Station.
    
    
14. Investigators are free to use the facilities of the Punta Santiago office and work areas on a space available basis from 6:30 am until 10:00 pm. The computers will be made available to investigators on a time available basis. Data entry takes precedence over email, unless in the event of an emergency. Save your computer files on discs or CD's: not on computers. Users are prohibited from downloading software on CPRC computers. Once finished with work in the office the last person out must turn off all computer systems, air conditioning and the photocopy machine.
    
    
15. The telephone will be used for local phone calls in Punta Santiago. Any calls outside of this area (i.e. San Juan and outside of Puerto Rico) should be charged to a calling card or credit card.
    
    
16. Investigators are expected to supply all equipment required to conduct field work including, binoculars, cameras tape recorders, data collectors, weatherproof clipboards, etc.
    
    
17. All personnel, visiting scientists, students and investigators must wear protective eyewear, long pants and sleeved shirts to prevent bites or scratches from the monkeys.
    
    
18. A request to conduct research or visit Cayo Santiago is considered an acknowledgement of the inherent risks involved in working with and closely observing or handling free ranging monkeys. While every effort is made to prevent an investigator or guest from being attacked or bitten by rhesus monkeys, the CPRC, University of Puerto Rico, or the funding agencies for this colony cannot assume any liability in the event of such and incident. (See Waiver and Assumption of Risk Form).
    
    
19. All students, visiting scientist, investigators, and guest are required to provide to CPRC Cayo Santiago with one (1) photo and personal medical information to keep on record in case of an emergency.
    
    
20. All personnel and users are responsible to maintain the facility in good condition. We appreciate your collaboration.
    
    
21. Passengers on Cayo Santiago boats must have a life jacket which the CPRC will supply.
    
    
22. All students, personnel, scientists and guests are not permitted to swim from Punta Santiago to Cayo Santiago or vise versa. The CPRC boat must be used at all time. Swimming at Cayo Santiago is prohibited.
    
    
23. A study cannot begin until the investigator receives official documentation (e.g. the CPRC Staff, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, etc.) that the study had been approved. (See Research Proposals Form). If an individual would like to go to Cayo Santiago prior to the official approval, it will be as a visitor.
    
    
24. Additional rules of the Punta Santiago and Cayo Santiago facilities are provided to investigators upon the arrival to our office.