Wednesday Abstracts
Transforming the Florida Aquarium’s Animal Wellness Program through the Use of Positive Operant Conditioning
Michael Terrell, Margo McKnight, Dr. Kathy Heym, Angi Millwood and Thad Lacinak, The Florida Aquarium & Precision Behavior Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In 2015, The Florida Aquarium enlisted the assistance of Precision Behavior to implement a holistic animal wellness program that added behavior management into the excellent animal nutrition, water quality, and veterinary care their animals already enjoyed. The aquariums “no animal left behind” commitment permeated all exhibits from mammals and birds to reptiles and fish. An extensive staff education program completely transformed the Aquarium’s culture and the daily lives of their animals. Spotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) now swim into their biologists’ arms voluntarily for medically necessary fresh-water dips. Sand tiger sharks (Carcharias taurus), historically difficult to breed in captive environments, now participate in consortium-driven reproductive research facilitated by operant conditioning. Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) exercise on cue for improved physical fitness. A Goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara) of almost 300pounds shimmies with delight as his biologists sprinkle sand on his body and release bubbles into his mouth as a reward for stationing and allowing body measurements. These are but a few of the dozens of examples of enhanced animal wellness due to the Aquarium’s commitment to meeting both the physical and mental needs of the animals in their care. What’s more, this intensive process has resulted in higher activity levels for the animals, an enthusiastic staff and ultimately, the opportunity to create meaningful experiences for our guests. |
When Enrichment Isn’t Helping:
The Importance of Identifying the Function of Stereotypic Behaviors before Attempting to Modify Sandy McPadden, The Buzz on Enrichment Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
It is estimated that over 80% of carnivores housed in zoological facilities worldwide display some form of abnormal behavior. With the publics rising concern for animal welfare and a simultaneous growing need to house rapidly declining animal populations, we have to better understand how to reduce abnormal behaviors in order to effectively increase those behaviors that are species-appropriate. Environmental enrichment will not always compete successfully with the reinforcement currently maintaining the abnormal behavior being displayed. Because the topography of stereotypical behaviors within a species often appear similar, they are often addressed comparatively with little success. By conducting a functional analysis, the caregiver is able to identify the function of the behavior, thus affording the ability to modify the environment so that the animal is no longer receiving the reinforcement maintaining the target behavior. Identifying the function of stereotypic behaviors prior to modifying them will increase the caregiver’s efficacy in improving their charges welfare. |
Just Hold Still! Voluntary Injection Training of Asian Small-Clawed Otters Emily Cassell, Busch Gardens Tampa Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Training animals to participate in medical care, commonly referred to as husbandry training, is increasingly replacing involuntary restraint in the zoo community (Wagner, 2007). Although they are known for their high intelligence and trainability, (McKay 2008), the husbandry practices for Asian Small-Clawed Otters (Aonyx cinereus) commonly include restraint by netting and hand-grabbing (Andrews, Heap, & Wright, 2008). At Busch Gardens Tampa, 3.0 Asian Small-Clawed Otters were crate-trained for immobilization via inhalant anesthetic. This method, while less aversive than physical restraint, still presented issues. Sessions required multiple trainers and necessitated the crating of all three animals for separation. In addition, the anesthetic did not take effect immediately. As a result, crating became increasingly aversive, resulting in frustration, displaced aggression, and breakdown of the behavior. In December 2014, a plan was developed to train the otters for hand injection, as it was believed to be safer and less stressful for the otters (Keller, 2015). The goals of the plan included eliminating physical restraint, allowing injectable anesthesia to be used, and reducing risk of keeper injury by working in protected contact. The otters were trained to separate, enter a passive restraint tube, and were desensitized to a variety of touches. Ultimately, they were able to operate in a choice-based environment, learned to volunteer for their injections, and experienced safer, more efficient immobilizations. |
Enrichment:
We Never Met Hal Markowitz... But We Sure Wish We Had! Mark Kingston Jones and Chris Hales, The Shape of Enrichment and Team Building, with BITE. Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Across the zoo world there are countless examples of great enrichment ideas, which have remained prototypes despite being partially or wholly successful in meeting their behavioural goals for the animals using them! Since the 80’s, innovative designs, such as those by Hal Markowitz’s behavioural engineering, have provided access to fantastic inspiration that seems to have rarely led to concepts being rolled out across the captive world. Instead they have remained little gems, hidden and only accessible to those in the know. Issues with technologically complicated designs and initial expense of prototyping, limit our designs and imagination. Problems with budget and design experience can be overcome with collaborations outside of the zoo world however, and with the modern zoo being rightly concerned with increasing the visitor experience and engagement, what better way to achieve this. A lot of the best enrichment ideas we have seen have come from people taking an idea, building and developing on it. With the conference theme of ‘Breaking Down Barriers’ we would therefore like to take this opportunity to remind people of a couple of those lost gems, and put forward a portfolio of new, untried and untested ideas. These ideas aim to meet goal directed behaviour, increasing animal welfare while enhancing the visitor experience from witnessing these behaviours. The aim is that these ideas might be taken forward, refined, improved and incorporated into new enclosure designs and refurbishments. |
Charging Ahead in Rhino Welfare:
Iron Overload Disorder Management in Black Rhinoceros Melissa Solomon and Malisa Hammell, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
It has been shown that browsing rhinoceros species held under human care, unlike their wild counterparts, store excessive amounts of iron in their liver and tissues. Iron accumulates in correlation with time in captivity and can lead to a cascade of other disease processes. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we have been actively managing our black rhinoceros population to mitigate the effects of iron accumulation through a multifaceted iron overload disorder management program. One key component of this approach has been the implementation of a Large Volume Phlebotomy training program. This presentation will provide a brief history of the program; highlight the improvements we have made in the 7 years since its inception, and offer evidence of the role of LVP in successfully advancing the welfare of captive black rhinoceros. Attention will also be paid to the incorporation of new personnel to facilitate long term sustainability of such a unique and large scale behavioral management program. |
Improving Enrichment and Education in the Pet Shop Environment Elizabeth Durkin, Dobbies Garden Centre Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In 2015, there were an estimated 1 million pet rabbits, 0.7 million pet guinea pigs and 0.4 million pet hamsters in the United Kingdom. With the pet shop being the most popular place to purchase these pets, it is evident that pet shops have a fundamental role in educating pet owners on correct animal care, including leading by example. This education is of key significance, considering the rabbit is one of the most neglected pets in the United Kingdom. Beyond basic husbandry knowledge, enrichment is a key element to improving welfare, with opportunities to provide mental and physical stimulation. Dobbies Garden Centre has incorporated various shop-bought and recycled, handmade enrichment into daily husbandry, and uses these examples to educate pet owners on providing opportunities for their pets to perform natural behaviours. The introduction of objects including, treat balls, cardboard boxes, paper bags and cardboard tubes has shown to enrich the animals’ lives in the shop, and this provides inspiration for pet owners. The use of enrichment has also shown to reduce “problem behaviours” by encouraging animals to perform natural behaviours, such as foraging. Additionally, enrichment encourages pet owners and children to play a more active role in improving the welfare of their pet, and enjoy their pet more, due to increased activity. Enrichment ideas are continually expanding, and practices are being adopted and reinforced by all members of the team, to ensure welfare is prioritised and maintained in animals beyond the pet shop. |
Working With a Worried Wallaby: Strategies for Training Fearful Animals Ellen Dreyer, Brevard Zoo Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Obtaining regular weights on captive animals is an important part of captive animal management. Training animals to voluntarily step on a scale and hold still to be weighed is the most positive, least intrusive way to monitor weights to ensure dietary needs are being met. Training animals for voluntary weights is a priority in the Austral/Asia area at Brevard Zoo. Bringing the scale behavior under stimulus control proved challenging with a swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) named Thumper. Due to his reclusive nature and wariness of people, he had never made progress in training sessions. The Austral/Asia team devised a new training strategy focused on increasing the swamp wallaby’s comfort and encouraging him to participate in training sessions. Important facets of the revised training plan included increased desensitization work, scheduled reinforcement times, use of a laser pointer instead of a traditional target stick to allow increased distance during training sessions, and precise communication between all trainers. Voluntary weights are now obtained monthly on the swamp wallaby. The strategies used for Thumper can be applied to other species and individuals, bringing new possibilities to animal welfare. |
Big, Bold, and Back In Alaska;
Wood Bison Restoration Project Sarah Howard, Chandelle Cotter, and Tom Seaton, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The last wood bison to roam Alaska disappeared more than 100 years ago. In 1991, a dream began to bring the largest land mammal back to the largest state in the union. In 2003, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) partnered with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) to restore wood bison to the USA in Alaska. AWCC accepted and cared for 13 Canadian wood bison in 2003, and 53 more in 2008, growing the population to 145 by spring 2015. With constant stressors facing this project, both politically and environmentally, it would appear an impossible feat. Against all odds, in June 2014, the Nonessential Experimental Population (NEP) rule was agreed upon by ADFG and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The Alaska governor approved the release in August 2014, and the following 6 months were rigorous with planning, collaborating, and hoping. On March 22, 2015, those hopes were realized. For safe transport and release, a training plan was put in place that conditioned these bison for behaviors that would ultimately lead them to freedom. The staff had to be creative, utilizing techniques that would not potentially establish a dependence on a human-animal relationship that could jeopardize their survivorship. Over the next 6 months, 130 bison traveled by truck, plane, and river boat to start their new journey. At long last, this iconic species has come home. |
The Great Escape! Rocky Mountain Goats Climbing Beyond Barriers. Patty Wallace and Jeremy Dillon, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In the fall of 2014, the renovation of our existing Rocky Mountain Goat (RMG) barn was completed with the addition of a new side yard. The new additions included fencing around an existing concrete retaining wall for containment and a pergola structure at the front of the enclosure as well as a training space for shows. The animal keepers for RMGs were asked to brainstorm ideas for a natural behavior show. The show would be a time for guests to not just see our goats, but to experience them in new ways - helping them to fall in love with a species that was close to their home. As part of this brainstorming two behaviors emerged; climbing on a ledge to demonstrate their amazing balancing skills and climbing onto the pergola, where they would be standing directly over guests’ heads. Both of these behaviors are currently demonstrated to our guests in a daily show (weather permitting). This presentation will outline the process Cheyenne Mountain Zoo staff went through to successfully train these behaviors from start to finish, including antecedent arrangements, barriers we faced and overcame, lessons learned, and how these amazing animals’ lives have been enriched and enhanced since the implementation of our Rocky Mountain Goat Training Program. |