Wednesday Abstracts

Camelid Handling Problem Solving
with Antecedent Arrangements

Marty McGee Bennett B.S. Animal Behavior, CAMELIDynamics



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Many management and behavior problems encountered with llamas and alpacas (be it in a zoo setting or private farm setting) can be solved with thoughtful antecedent arrangements. This talk will outline and discuss the connection between traditional handling techniques used with llamas and alpacas and common behavioral issues.  I will illustrate how these problems can be eliminated or managed successfully with clever changes to the environment and approach to handling. For example: *  The use of a optimally sized catch pen.   *  The use of smaller pens as well as specially shaped pens for management tasks that require more containment in place of physical restraint I will discuss specialized catching tools and techniques, such as using balance to desensitize the camelid to a human's approach— thereby making the animals less flighty, more useful in a public setting and easier to manage for herd health tasks. I will describe techniques such as: *  The very precise offering of an escape route inside a small area and how this technique can be used in place of food reinforcers to avoid fearful reactions. *  Selective use of crowding with multiple animals can be used to accomplish medical tasks such as giving in- jections or management tasks such as trimming toenails.  The talk will also include specific useful information about the critical importance of halter fit for camelids. As semi-obligate nasal breathers with an upright posture and small heads and long necks, improper halter fit is a huge problem whose ramifications are often misunderstood.

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Training Emergency Recall in
​Multiple Species

Tara Gifford,
Ohio Animal Training LLC



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Being prepared for emergencies is a part of any zoo's protocols. There are many types of emergencies that can occur at a zoo involving people and/or animals. Having a plan to get dangerous animals off exhibit in the event of bad weather, animal escapes or an unwanted addition to an exhibit is a part of good management.  Training animals to carry out an emergency recall can save precious time and potentially save lives. This paper will discuss the training process of big cats, bears, apes, large hoof stock and reptiles for a behavior to bring them off exhibit and secure them in a holding area.  Training for a quick response at any time of day in the presence of distractions has proven to be a valuable tool.

Training Voluntary Reproductive Assessments and Artificial Insemination with African Elephants (Loxodonta Africana) In a Protected Contact Environment

Maura Middleton and Michael Burns,
Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo


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While making great strides with the new elephant program at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, we have had to face numerous challenges that accompany the management and training styles we utilize.  The most recent chal- lenge we faced is the need to perform full reproductive assessments and the artificial insemination of our 32 year old cow.  This feat seemed difficult as our training philosophy does not include the use of tethers or re- straints.  With safety of staff being our main priority, along with our determination to ensure voluntary partici- pation from all animals, we designed and utilized an Elephant Reproductive Assessment Device (ERAD) that is installed directly into our medical chute. This device allows for the veterinary staff to work under an elephant in a protected area while managing the elephant in a stress free manner during an invasive and sensitive pro- cedure.  Since development, we have utilized the ERAD for an artificial insemination of an adult who was raised in human care as well as an exploratory scoping procedure on a full term pregnant female who was im- ported in 2003 as a young adult.  Though the backgrounds of the individuals varied greatly, the combination of training and innovation resulted in the ability to perform the behaviors completely, with no restraints, while maintaining the safety of all staff members.

Never Too Old:
Voluntary Injection Training
​with a Geriatric Amur Tiger

Vicki Hardstaff,
Toronto Zoo​



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After rearing her second litter of cubs, Amur tiger “Tatiana” began experiencing lameness in her hind legs. After several stressful knockdowns to diagnose and treat her condition, and at the age of 14, Tatiana was enrolled in a training program in hopes of reducing stress during future medical procedures. With the ultimate goal of training her to accept a voluntary injection, progress was met with numerous challenges from establishing a suitable reinforcer, to dealing with a mistrusting and sometimes aggressive tiger, as well as con-tending with the physical limitations of a geriatric animal. Perseverance prevailed and 18 months after her training began, Tatiana was allowing injections of saline. During this time, Tatiana was voluntarily sedated, without stress, to allow for a medical check-up as well as an internal transfer due to construction. Sadly, her check-up revealed that she was suffering from the final stages of cancer and, with no options for treatment, staff made the difficult decision to euthanize her. Although her first voluntary sedation also ended up being her last, Tatiana's training journey demonstrates the value of utilizing positive reinforcement training to better manage any animal, regardless of age and attitude.

BMF Travel Scholarship Winner A Tall List in Short Order: Developing a Positive Reinforcement Based Cheetah Training Program to Meet Programming and Collection Management Goals

Justin Garner and Antonio Ramirez,
Sea World Parks & Entertainment - Busch Gardens Tampa


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In 2011, Busch Gardens Tampa opened a new dynamic cheetah exhibit and presentation area, “Cheetah Run”.  The mission was to set a new benchmark in animal training, management, and conservation, as well as to connect guests to wildlife in exciting new ways. A team of trainers were tasked with developing a training pro- gram that would consistently satisfy seven main objectives: conditioned husbandry behaviors, daily lure runs, free contact cheetah/trainer presentations, sustainable breeding, maintaining long term compatibility within social groups, and exhibit cheetahs.  These goals were set for the entire collection. Most of the animals need- ed to be proficient in leash walking, lure running, and conditioned husbandry.  The animals’ experiences range from young naïve animals to older animals with aversive histories both hand and parent-reared.  These goals require free and protected contact interactions.  All of the animals needed to be traditional cheetah ambassadors and most importantly have a behavioral repertoire that was conditioned through operant conditioning utilizing solely positive reinforcement. The theme park environment comes with its own unique set of challenges. To begin, the entire collection had to be desensitized to all environmental stimuli including the coaster that passes overhead of the area, music, large crowds, and even fireworks.   
This paper will demonstrate how the fundamental and exclusive use of positive reinforcement was paramount in achieving our goals with the collection in a short amount of time. Additionally, it will discuss the unique challenges that were presented, processes that were applied, knowledge gained, and plans for the continual growth.