ABMA 2018 Wednesday Abstracts
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Full Abstract
The Downtown Aquarium in Denver, Colorado acquired three female North American river otter pups. Due to their backgrounds, staff chose to train them as ambassador animals. This paper will discuss the various types of training sessions the otters participate in on a daily basis, including: off leash free contact in an enclosed space, off leash free contact in a semi-enclosed space, on leash walks in public and enclosed spaces, and one on one guest interactions (a.k.a. meet and greets). Training North American river otters as ambassador animals poses numerous challenges. The staff devised techniques for managing aggression, reducing competing reinforcers, guest safety, and keeping active otters stimulated. Some of the tactics used were the introduction of novel items, eliminating end of session predictors, training an end of session option, a priority of animal choice, environmental changes, and team meetings to promote trainer consistency. Today all three otters are participating in these sessions as ambassador animals. As they approach adulthood their social structure may change and their daily routines may be altered by moving them permanently to the exhibit, but the staff is ready to meet these challenges. These techniques and tactics were extended to other ambassador animals, so although this paper specifically discusses North American river otters, the concepts can be extrapolated to other species. |
“OWL” DO IT! TRAINING OWLS WITH DIFFERENT INDIVIDUAL HISTORIES Cathy Schlott, National Aviary Watch Video (Login Required) Full Abstract
The National Aviary’s trainers have had the opportunity to work with nine different species of owls, many with different backgrounds. We have used hand-raised, parent reared, and non-releasable wild owls for programming. We have also had success breeding our Ambassador Eurasian Eagle Owls and have had the opportunity to hand-raise several for other zoos to use as ambassador and education birds. However, acquiring a hand-raised owl does not guarantee results in any given scenario. The key to setting each individual up for success is a concrete yet flexible training program utilizing all of the tools in your toolbox. Being willing to create individual plans based on past-history and the individual’s needs is only the first step. Success for every bird hinges on continual reevaluation and adaptation. This presentation will show case studies of some of our successes as well as failures. |
TRAINING BASED ON NATURAL HISTORY: SUCCESS WITH A JUVENILE AMERICAN ALLIGATOR IN A SHOW SETTING
Deidre Ousterhout Zoo Atlanta Watch Video (Login Required) Full Abstract
Ambassador animals have been shown to increase human learning periods, assist with information retention, and encourage learners to feel compassion and gain an understanding of wildlife. When presenters train animal ambassadors to do natural behaviors, rather than simply holding the animal, they provide the audience with an opportunity to see the animal in action, rather than just observe what it looks or feels like. Many educational programs focus on training and presenting mammals and bird species, but reptiles can be a powerful tool for education as well. This paper details the journey of training a juvenile American alligator an A to B behavior for a presentation in a 200 person amphitheater. By using the natural history of the American alligator as their guide, keepers at Zoo Atlanta were able to create an antecedent arrangement that allowed for the successful use of operant conditioning to obtain the goal behavior. |
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CHOICES AT 65 MILES PER HOUR: TRAINING A CHEETAH TO RETRIEVE A RUNNING LURE Whitney Marker, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Watch Video (Login Required) Full Abstract
When the Heart of Africa region opened at the Columbus Zoo, our Animal Programs team had the oppor- tunity to train and present a “cheetah run” behavior. This allowed us to provide enrichment and stimu- lation for our cheetahs while using this impressive behavior as a vehicle for conservation education. As we dove into the logistics of training our diverse collection of free contact cheetahs, we explored how much voice each animal had in their experience. Upon completion of chasing a toy along our lure system, our cheetahs had a variety of choices they could make as to where to go and what to do with the lure. No matter what their choices were, we trained each one to trade out the high value lure for other rein- forcers. The following year, a 6-week-old male cub, Kvamme, joined our program after previously being mother-reared and his unique history, behaviors, and relationships with our trainers caused us to consid- er a different plan. Previously, our trainers would walk towards Kvamme to trade out the lure; however, we opted for a change - the cheetah placing the lure in a predetermined location and walking towards the trainer for reinforcement. This paper discusses training a retrieval behavior with a cheetah, the process of chaining the behavior to our “cheetah run,” the value of addressing the individuality of each cheetah, and the impact the behavior had on our connection to the audience thus allowing Kvamme to play an active role in the conservation of his species. |
ALLOWING CHOICE AND CONTROL OVER DIET FOR OUR POLAR BEAR AT THE KANSAS CITY ZOO Andrea O’ Daniels, Kansas City Zoo Watch Video (Login Required) Full Abstract
The Kansas City Zoo is home to a 27 year old female polar bear, Berlin. Berlin typically goes through a period of seasonal pacing. It will start at the beginning of breeding season in January and begin to taper off in May. In 2017, we did not see a decrease in pacing, but instead an increase of pacing in May. She was pacing at all times of the day and did not seem to be resting. The keeper staff began to evaluate what was causing the pacing. When asking ourselves, “What does Berlin want,” we realized that while she wasn’t consuming her entire diet every day she was very eager for lard. She was allotted 2 lbs. of lard per day and was eating it very quickly. We decided to increase her lard for 3 days to see if this had any effect on her pacing. We immediately saw a dramatic decrease in her pacing. We then decided to go a step fur- ther and try letting her choose what she wants to eat each day. Keepers evaluate, on a daily basis, what she prefers and make her diet accordingly. We have found that letting Berlin choose what she wants to eat each day has a positive effect on her overall pacing. |
IMPROVING NAIL CARE IN A WHITE-NOSE COATI (NASUA NARICA) UTILIZING NATURAL BEHAVIOR AND OPERANT CONDITIONING
Autumn Henry, Ashley Warrington, Lauren Wilson, Texas State Aquarium Watch Video (Login Required) Full Abstract
Sonora is an 11 year old, female white-nosed coati (Nasua narica) who resides at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, TX. As she’s aged, Sonora is less inclined to emit behaviors that would naturally wear down her nails i.e. digging and climbing. This has created an issue where her nails grow out quickly and snag on materials both in her enclosure and on stage, which seems to be a negative and frustrating experience for Sonora. She is trained to voluntarily enter an induction chamber where she can be anesthetized for medical examinations but this is not an ideal process for routine nail care. Trainers decided that in order to decrease risks associated with anesthesia and to improve her welfare, a voluntary nail filing behavior should be trained that utilizes the coati’s natural behavior of digging. We used a PVC pipe wrapped with fine-grit sandpaper and desensitized her to the object. Sonora was then shaped to scratch at the sandpaper with her front nails through a protective barrier. We then switched out the fine-grit for a coarser variety of sandpaper for more efficient filing. This ensures that Sonora can voluntarily participate in her own nail care rather than have her nails be trimmed solely while she’s under anesthesia. We have already noticed a drastic reduction in both nail splitting and snagging since the introduction of this behavior. Because the reduction in negative behaviors has appeared to alleviate frustration, we believe her welfare has been improved by training this behavior. |
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UTILIZING TRAINING
TO DETERMINE THE ENERGETIC COST OF POLAR BEAR BEHAVIORS AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO Becky Wolf, San Diego Zoo Watch Video (Login Required) Full Abstract
Training has been used for years to assist with the husbandry needs of many zoo animals. From shifting to injections and more, positive reinforcement training is an important part of the daily routine for many of the animals in our care. At the San Diego Zoo, keepers were asked to participate in a research project to assist the US Geological Survey to compare the energetic costs of different polar bear behaviors, which will ultimately inform conservationists about the impacts of climate change on wild polar bears.Over the course of 6 months, keepers were able to train “Tatqiq”, a 16-year old female polar bear, to voluntarily participate in blood draws, collection of 10-minute resting oxygen consumption rates while inside a metabolic test space, and walking on a motorized treadmill. The data that was collected is vital to helping researchers in their study on polar bear body functions and will hopefully prove valuable to helping save wild polar bears. |
TRAINING A VOLUNTARY EYE MEDICATION APPLICATION WITH A HARRIS HAWK (PARABUTEO UNICINCTUS)
Autumn Henry, Sean McLaughlin, Lauren Wilson Texas State Aquarium Watch Video (Login Required) Full Abstract
Maverick is a Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) that flies in the Texas State Aquarium’s Wildflight show. He recently developed an eye issue and is often found in the morning with his right eye squinted shut. Despite multiple veterinarian and ophthalmology appointments, no resolvable issues were found. It was decided that a medicated gel would be applied to his eye twice a day. Historically, trainers had to physically restrain Maverick in order to apply the medication. However, he began demonstrating avoidance behavior of the glove and trainers. It was decided that a voluntary application should be trained. The Wildflight team designated and redesigned a crate for medical use only. A hole was carved into a sliding door that was large enough for him to extend his neck through but small enough to prevent being footed. We began by training him to place his head through the hole of the medical crate. We trained a station behavior where he placed his beak into our hand and then fed him small amounts to keep his head in place while we gradually approached his eye with the medicated gel. After several approximations, we eventually were able to place the medication on his right eye while maintaining his head in the correct position. This greatly improved his behavior regarding the glove and different trainers. The training of this husbandry behavior has inspired us to continue to look for creative ways to train behaviors, especially husbandry behaviors, where animals can have choice and control in their environment. |
WE LIKE OUR PURRITOS SPICY! HOW TO TAME “FERAL” KITTENS Brianne Youngberg Saving One Life Watch Video (Login Required) Full Abstract
Approximately 3.2 million cats enter U.S animal shelters every year with roughly 860,000 of these animals euthanized shortly after arriving. When faced with a constant influx of animals, shelters are forced to make the decision on which animals live or die due to limited space and resources. Many cats will be deemed “feral” leading to the staggering number of euthanasia cases. When a feline enters a shelter displaying what the shelter considers hostility-i.e. hissing or lashing out-they are labeled “feral” without much thought. Sadly, the label “feral” means the feline is “unhealthy/ unadoptable”, often warranting a death sentence. This label is not solely reserved for adult cats and even kittens as young as three weeks can be identified as such, leading to euthanasia. Usually, these cats are scared, overstimulated and stressed, but due to limited space, these animals are killed before they are given a chance at life. A feral cat is defined as “a cat who has either never had any contact with humans or her contact with humans has diminished over time... not likely to ever become a lap cat or enjoy living indoors.*” This however, isn’t always the case. Through patience, positive reinforcement and the flooding technique, many of these “feral” kittens can be rehabbed into adoptable loving pets. |
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TRAINING WILD ANIMALS FOR THE MEDIA INDUSTRY IN THE UK
Emma Hills Heythrop Zoological Gardens (Amazing Animals) Watch Video (Login Required) Full Abstract
At Heythrop Zoological Gardens we house over 100 species, ranging from tortoises to tigers. We are based in the UK and hold the largest collection of trained animals in Europe. Our animals have been trained exclusively for media projects for over 40 years and we’re constantly working on improving and adapting out training methods and striving to put welfare first in a demanding industry. Over the years, we’ve built important relationships with other trainers, researchers and consultants that offer priceless help in problem solving the best way to positively train our animals. Using positive techniques and allowing the animals to remain empowered throughout the sessions is vital to the long-term success of our built behaviours. By relying on scientific methods and acting on what can be observed rather than personally interpreted, we can be consistent and teach other trainers effectively. In this talk I will be sharing my journey so far, using our zebra training as an example, and discuss the plans we have for making a difference in the media industry by educating production companies and always putting animal welfare at the forefront. |