ABMA 2018 Monday Abstracts
|
AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY: TRAINING A HERD OF BISON FOR MEDICAL CARE
Tiffany Laracuente, Salato Wildlife Education Center, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Salato Wildlife Education Center is the only wildlife center run by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Staff care for a wide range of Kentucky native wildlife from snakes and fish, to raptors, bears and elk. One prominent and popular animal is the herd of 1.3 American Bison (Bison bison). Historically, this herd is very skittish when trying to apply fly spray, ivermectin or any medical care. This resulted in at least one bison developing hot spots that were hard to treat every summer. Starting in February 2017, we created a training program for the bison. Now all four bison willingly come up to a station for training fly spray and ivermectin; in addition, two of the bison are trained for injections. Summer of 2017 is the first year that none of the bison developed hot spots. We have also been able to train the bison for the public and use the training as a way to help educate. This presentation/paper will outline the steps taken from the beginning to where we are now. Moreover, we will go over all the herd and individual challenges along the way. |
Full Abstract
Quarantine can be one of the most stressful times in an animal’s life. As we constantly look for ways to improve welfare of animals in managed care, quarantine should be no exception. With thoughtful considerations of risk assessment, behavioral history, social structure, and enrichment experiences, animal care staff can create behavioral goals and work closely with veterinary and hospital keeper staff to reduce any unnecessary testing or putting them in a completely sterile and isolated environment for a minimum of 30 days. With access to documents like Animal Data Transfer forms and Enrichment Data Transfer forms ahead of a shipment a thoughtful behavioral plan can be formulated. Pre-shipment testing can often preclude the need for lengthy quarantine times and repeat testing. Some facilities are even moving animals straight into their new habitats, reducing quarantine time or timing quarantine with con-specifics or bringing a buddy up for social species like birds, hoofstock and primates. The Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) Behavior Advisory Group (BAG) is coming up with best practices and behavioral and welfare consideration that will be shared in this paper. As we continue to strive for the best welfare for animals in our care quarantine does not have to be that stressful, isolated, sterile process we have followed for so many years. With animal care and veterinary care working closely together this is one more area that can be a priority for welfare improvement for animals in managed care. |
TRAINING VOLUNTARY BLOOD DRAW WITH A DIABETIC WHITE-CHEEKED GIBBON (Nomascus leucogenys)
Sara E. Gonzalez, WCS, Bronx Zoo Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The Bronx Zoo houses a pair of white-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys). In 2014, our male gibbon, Milton, was diagnosed with diabetes. The first attempt to manage Milton's diabetes involved dietary changes and oral medication; however, these treatments were unable to effectively control his diabetes. Because Milton had a strong injection training history, the decision was made to start daily insulin injections. Insulin treatment required close monitoring of Milton's blood glucose levels which was initially achieved by training Milton for both urine testing and blood glucose testing with a glucometer. Although both of these methods provide useful information about Milton’s glucose levels, a larger blood sample would allow veterinarians to evaluate changes in his glucose levels over time and modify his treatment plan accordingly. We began training Milton for voluntarily blood draw in April 2015, and had our first successful blood draw in May 2016. This presentation will outline the steps we took to train the blood draw behavior and the challenges we faced along the way. One of the major challenges was designing an appropriate blood sleeve for Milton. Not only did the sleeve need to accommodate Milton’s long arm and fingers, it had to be modified multiple times in order to position Milton’s arm in a way that would allow easier access to his vein. Training this complex behavior has allowed us to obtain regular blood samples, which has enabled us to better monitor Milton's health, evaluate the efficacy of his treatment, and improve his overall quality of life. |
|
DON’T SHOOT THE ZEBRA-PONY! USING AN INTRIGUING CASE STUDY TO EDUCATE AND PROMOTE THE USE OF EVIDENCE BASED BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT WITH DOMESTIC EQUINES
Megan Phillips and Jody Ambrose, Train with Trust Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The practical application and scientific understanding of animal training and behavior management has evolved tremendously in the past 20-30 years. Much of the development of applied techniques and foundational philosophies, has occurred in the contexts of zoos and aquariums as well as dog training and behavior modification. Unfortunately, advancement of this approach has been greatly limited in the world of horse training and management. Many routine interactions with horses rely on force, positive punishment and chemical restraint. There is a lack of standardized education for those entering into horse care. While there aren’t any universally accepted standards for breeding, keeping, transporting and training horses, a preponderance of unsubstantiated pseudoscience and deeply rooted traditions are the main influence behind what continuity does exist. The consequences for horses have been compromised welfare, undesirable and/or dangerous behavior, poor performance, abuse and a high rate of surrender to rescue and slaughter. A clear opportunity exists for behavioral science and applied behavior management techniques to be disseminated to those involved in horse training and care. These range from owners, veterinarians and trainers to farriers, stable-owners and workers. Train with Trust has had an opportunity to bring greater awareness to this cause. In partnership with Equitopia, a non-profit dedicated to increasing evidence-based horse care education, we have been able to highlight our work with a zebra-pony hybrid whose story typifies many of the difficulties seen in the horse world. Her story may also provide one possible road-map for an improved future in horse behavior management. |
USING OPERANT CONDITIONING TO TREAT FOR COMPLIMENTARY ALTERNATIVE THERAPY IN CARNIVORES Katie Buckley-Jones, Houston Zoo, Inc. Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
The Houston Zoo veterinary and animal care staff has been working closely with a consulting complementary therapy veterinarian to provide the collection with a variety of treatments ranging from chiropractic adjustments, laser acupuncture, and therapeutic stretches in conjunction with traditional Western medicine. In the carnivore department, operant conditioning and positive reinforcement techniques have been utilized to more completely care for some of the medical cases. The complimentary therapy veterinarian has prescribed a variety of stretches for the animals, so it has been the keeper’s challenge to train them to participate in their own medical care. For example, there is a cheetah who is working on his rear leg strength, a leopard with nerve issues who does stretches, a bear who was trained for multiple stretches, and a few cats who have been conditioned to receive laser acupuncture alleviate discomfort associated with arthritis. The leopard has shown significant improvement with his nerve damage due to his stretching regime and acupuncture. The geriatric Andean bear also showed mobility improvement when she began her stretching. One side effect that has been observed is some animals appear to enjoy the laser acupuncture so much, the treatment itself becomes the reinforcement and no food reinforcement is needed. The ability to train for complementary medicinal treatments has improved the comfort and welfare for many of the Houston Zoo’s carnivores and shows promise for other species as well. |
W.T.F (WHAT'S THE FUNCTION): HOW YOUR L.R.S COULD BE MAINTAINING ABERRANT BEHAVIORS Sandy McPadden, Sandy McPadden Animal Behavior Consulting Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In the field of human behavior modification, behavior analysts are required by their credentialing board to conduct assessments prior to recommending or initiating behavior modification procedures. In the field of animal behavior modification, this applied methodology is not as common, especially in attempts to decrease aberrant behavior. By applying similar human behavior assessments and intervention techniques to the field of animal behavior, animal behavior management teams can draw upon decades of applied research to achieve groundbreaking advances in captive animal welfare. The future of animal behavior management is to systematically identify the function of a behavior before ever developing a behavioral intervention plan. By doing this we will energize animal behavior management teams to take advantage of empirically validated protocols thus adhering to some of the very same ethical standards mandated for human behavioral interventions. This presentation discusses how first identifying the function of an aberrant behavior and then utilizing that same function to reinforce an alternative target behavior allows for a more effective and ethical intervention program. Furthermore, the function of Escape and its’ relationship to the commonly utilized technique, Least Reinforcing Scenario (LRS), will be deeply examined. Lastly, how employing protocols used in human behavior modification and holding animal behavior management teams to those same ethical standards can benefit guest perception of animal conservation programs. |
|
APPROXIMATING A CULTURE: INNOVATIVE TRAINING CONCEPTS FOR ZOO KNOXVILLE'S ELEPHANTS
Becca Wyatt Zoo Knoxville Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Zoo Knoxville’s elephant program has redefined its behavior management program and reshaped the culture in which the staff and elephants work with one another. The focus of the behavior program has shifted to a more process orientation, from what was previously a goal orientation. This has enabled us to better customize behavior programs for each individual elephant. The “study of one” allows for innovative approaches such as two-way communication between trainer and elephant, elephant choice in how training progresses, and individualized trainer response tailored to the needs of each elephant. We have found that these strategies have increased trust between elephant and trainer, which has improved our ability to work on the more advanced and vulnerable husbandry behaviors. The shift in culture has generated more confident elephants and more confident staff. As a result, the welfare of our elephants has improved. One of our missions as a zoo is to help draw a connection between animals and guests to promote a commitment to conservation. Our program can better do this with training sessions on exhibit where our elephants are eager to participate and encourage a sense of wonder from our guests. Our positive culture allows the public to view physiological and emotionally healthy elephants. This inspires guests to understand and support conservation more effectively. |
CHANGE IN THE FLIGHT PLAN: GIVING RESCUED MACAWS A CHOICE Emily Yunker, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In September 2017 the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was made aware of an animal hoarding situation in Enterprise, Alabama. During a confiscation of over 60 dogs a wildlife officer found sixteen macaws in cages wrapped in tarps. A local sanctuary was temporarily housing the macaws but being a non-profit native wildlife rescue, they did not have the ability to care for all of the birds long term. The Columbus Zoo agreed to take all sixteen macaws and assume responsibility for their welfare and placement. With little to no information available on any of their physical states or history, the birds had to be restrained for health exams by the zoo's vet staff. Many medical issues were uncovered, including a young hyacinth macaw with old fractures in both legs, a scarlet macaw with a coelomic hernia likely from over breeding, and a scarlet macaw with a ruptured air sac. Through building trusting relationships with positive reinforcement training we were not only able to improve their quality of life, but give them a choice to participate in their own healthcare. Voluntary radiographs, ingestion of barium, and removal of air from under the skin are just the beginning stages of creating stress-free and healthful future for these birds. Despite the fact that all of these macaws came from the same situation, they remain different individuals. Therefore, training was modified to accommodate each animal's needs, making this truly a study of one and laying the framework for future rescues and conservation efforts. |
PROVIDING CHOICE AND CONTROL FOR AMBASSADOR ANIMALS BY TRAINING COMMUNICATIVE BEHAVIORS
Kristen Frizzell, National Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Providing animals with choice and control has become a major focus in managed care. These concepts are accepted as primary reinforcers and animal care professionals believe that animals should not feel trapped in a situation or forced to do something. The Animal Programs department at the National Aquarium has implemented such practices and is now working on the next level by training animals to communicate their preferences. Using a similar approach to the Norwegian horse blanket study, a non-flighted adult female hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) was taught to ring a doorbell on her perch in order to communicate when she is ready to return to her enclosure. By utilizing successive approximation, some creative engineering, and a fantastic team, she learned the behavior within a few months. We’ve learned a great deal about the macaw’s preferences since training this doorbell behavior and also learned that some of our assumptions were wrong. Future plans include training her to ring different bells to communicate other requests and by continuing to work on other choice and control opportunities with all of our ambassador animals. We hope this work inspires other facilities to develop new and exciting ways to teach animals to communicate their preferences. You never know what you’ll learn about your animals until you give them the opportunity to tell you. |