Friday Abstracts

Embrace the Bear:
Utilizing Seasonality to Encourage Natural Behavior

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Jessie McInelly,
San Diego Zoo

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In a wild, natural environment, animals are exposed to constant change and challenges that encourage a full repertoire of behavior. Some of these behaviors are only seen in response to a specific season or seasonally available resource. In a zoological environment, these periodic shifts are often absent. A multitude of challenges; including infrastructure, a zoo's climate, and access to resources, can make it difficult for keepers to recreate these opportunities to thrive. The bear team at the San Diego Zoo has investigated and implemented many changes to our standard husbandry practices that allow us to draw out seasonal behaviors by replicating seasonal shifts and activities. This presentation will detail the process of investigating natural, seasonal behaviors and replicating those opportunities for our animals in managed care.

5 Tools to Building Resiliency in Ambassador Animals​

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LynnLee Schmidt,
Downtown Aquarium Denver

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Chasing that elusive “bomb-proof” ambassador animal? Wishing you had training tools for improving consistency throughout your
staff? Trying to figure out what it means to implement choice and control?
Our goal is to engage audiences using ambassador animals, while overcoming the many constraints on how to connect the animals to our audience. There are basic problems that affect our ability to be successful (i.e. fear, aggression, and motivation). To counter these obstacles, we use a five tool system to build resiliency, allowing trainers be more flexible and dynamic in our programming.
First, trainers should focus on desensitizing the animal to sights, sounds, and experiences. This is one effective way build an animal’s confidence.
Second; build control indicators into your sessions. This allows your animal to signal when they want to start a session, continue a session, or end a session.
Third, trainers use marks and stations that travel with the animal. In any setting these become a constant and reliable source of reinforcement.
Fourth: Build behavioral mass behind the more challenging behaviors. Using deliberate primary distribution can work to improve an animal’s confidence.
Lastly, it is important to identify a “safe” space. This ensures the animal always has the choice of finding comfort when nervous, frustrated, or bored.
Using this format has built resiliency in our animals and has given our staff the confidence to be innovative and increased their ability to develop a connection to our animals, and audiences.

Conservation Intent to Conservation Action: Maximizing Animal Ambassador Programs for Meaningful Environmental Impact

Nicolette Canzoneri,
Action Research; EnvARK Innovators

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Many zoos and aquariums strive to positively impact conservation-related behaviors of their guests and typically target guest behavior through educational programming. Recent animal rights pressures have examined not only general zoo animal welfare, but also animal ambassador programs specifically, with the argument that the benefits do not outweigh the costs. It has thus become imperative to utilize best practices when developing, implementing, and evaluating animal programming to ensure that true and meaningful impacts are provided for our communities, ecosystems, and ultimately the animal ambassadors’ wild counterparts. My research has identified

potential gaps within these processes that can be filled through institutional and industry collaboration to create the most effective programs that target conservation action. I will discuss the theoretical and practical aspects of utilizing behavioral science in program development and the three main hurdles industry professionals struggle with when targeting behavior. As zoos and aquariums continue to evolve as centers for conservation education and inspiration, it is important to develop programming that accurately reflects this purpose. My presentation intends to inform practitioners on current research-based tactics for targeting conservation action and how these tactics can be adopted within their institutions to meaningfully effect change. Zoo and aquarium practitioners are uniquely positioned within our communities to understand and appropriately apply behavior management techniques with guests as a result of their behavioral knowledge and dedication to conservation. With intentional evolution and continued refinement, our industry can have an incredibly powerful impact on the future of all wildlife.

Making the Most of What You Have: Behavior and Welfare in an Evolving Context

Jake Belair,
Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

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The Nashville Zoo’s Ambassador Animal program is in its 24th year, and with that comes the celebration of some major accomplish- ments, as well as an acknowledgement of the ways in which we can improve. I want to share the stories of our work with three indi- viduals—a silvery-cheeked hornbill, a kookaburra, and a Harris’ hawk, in order to help describe our consistent emphasis on choice, control, and enhanced welfare for our ambassador animals. We radically changed the way our hornbill is handled, and now she can operate fully upon her environment. Our kookaburra, on the other hand, came to us recently as a yearling and we were able to train her exclusively with positive reinforcement methods. We still have to use anklets and jesses on our Harris’ hawk, but we have changed his flight routine so that he has complete control over where he goes and when the session is over. These examples demon- strate that even with limited resources, we can still promote voluntary participation with the vast majority of animals in our collec- tions. I also want to make the case that any progressive change should be celebrated. These changes do not have to happen all at once—in fact, that is rarely possible. Instead, we focus on tangible, manageable changes; ones that do not require significantly re- ducing the number of animals available for programming, but instead encourage us to be flexible with our ideas of what the animals’ jobs are meant to be.

​​Early Stages of Wolf Eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus)
Target Training

Shelly Pettit,
Oregon Zoo

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The introduction of wolf eels (Anarrhichthys ocellatus) to large and species diverse aquariums can change the feeding dynamics and call for special feeding techniques. In 2015, a small female wolf eel was introduced to a 19,000 gallon coldwater marine exhibit. Due to the shy nature and previous husbandry techniques of the animal, direct feedings were impossible and the use of SCUBA divers as a food source became the only option. Soon after being introduced to the aquarium and diver feedings, a minor incident occurred involving a diver and a confused and hungry wolf eel. This prompted the beginning of a target style feed training, specifically designed for the wolf eel. As training progressed, ultimately so did the goals associated with the training. Currently the wolf eel can success- fully target feed with one or two divers in the water, and moving forward, the goal has moved toward the wolf eel completing the 23 foot swim to the surface of the exhibit to feed from the top. The target training has progressed over the years and since the initial training there have been zero negative incidents towards divers. The training has also increased the positive relationship between diver and animal and in fact lead to the discovery that the animal was in fact a male and not a female. Something that may have not been detected as quickly if the animal was not regularly being observed and examined during training sessions.

Evacuation:
​The Northern California Carr Fire


Sharon Clay,
Turtle Bay Exploration Park

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Planning for the worst is what emergency plans are all about. For over 25 years I have looked at the words on the paper; “evacuation locations”, “emergency numbers”, “checklist”. Month after month we rotate food and supplies in the emergency kits. We practice the plan and it all seems like a waste of time. Never did I think we would have to carry one out. Never did I think our safe evacuation sites wouldn’t be available and never did I think it would last so long. On that fateful day of July 26, 2018 as the Carr fire was bearing down on our City, we had to do just that.
This paper will take you through the adventure of evacuating 87 animals from our facility and the 2 month journey that followed. How we did it, what worked well and what we learned. We will show how we turned a 2100 ft2 house into a makeshift facility for almost two months and continued to provide excellent care for all the animals.

Evaluating Enrichment
Using Activity Budgets And Item Evaluation To Assess A Species Specific Enrichment Program

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Allison Kao, Jason D. Wark,
Lincoln Park Zoo
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Environment enrichment is a core component of animal husbandry programs but evaluating the efficacy of enrichment has proven challenging. Currently, many zoos assess enrichment based on an animals’ interaction with enrichment items, often using a qualitative rating scale. Although systematic, these ratings have several limitations as they are often subjective, based on indirect evidence, and too narrow to comprehensively evaluate enrichment that may target multiple behavior goals. At Lincoln Park Zoo, animal husbandry managers are developing a three-tier evaluation process to gain a better understanding of the benefits and needed improvements to species-specific enrichment programs. The tiers include keeper records, enrichment object evaluation, and evaluation of activity budg- et goals for a species. Goals are being established for six standardized behavior categories (Inactive, Feed/Forage/Drink, Locomotion, Undesirable, Other Solitary, Social) using previous data and published reports of zoo or free-ranging populations as a guide. The Zoo- Monitor app is aiding in gathering and compiling the data needed to assess the program in a holistic manor. These results are guiding modifications of the enrichment and management plans, allowing us to continually evaluate and enhance enrichment programs per species and individuals.

​“What’s App With That?” A Closer Look at how Technology can Assist us with our Animal Goals


Scott Trauger, CPBT-KA,
Natural Encounters, Inc.

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Technology has changed the way we communicate. In our field, possibly more than others, we still rely on actual physical communication to facilitate our jobs. What if there is a way to keep that personal connection while still allowing us to achieve animal based goals with a better antecedent arrangement? At Natural Encounters, Inc., we have decided to embrace the future and find new ways to help us achieve our goals using current technology. This paper will look at the specific tools and scenarios in which these technological applications might be beneficial to you to achieve your animal goals.

A Detailed Behavioral Approach to Rebuilding Confidence, Trust and a Positive Relationship with a Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae)
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Debra Marrin*, Andrew Poole*, Dr. Bethany Krebs, and Kimberly McIntyre,
San Francisco Zoo

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On February 21, 2017 a four year old female Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) was transferred from the San Francisco Zoo to another AZA facility for an SSP breeding recommendation. She did not adjust to the new facility, nor develop positive relationships with her new caretakers. The animal was described as nervous, aggressive, and agitated for many months after the move. This behavior was extremely dissimilar to the behavior she exhibited at the San Francisco Zoo. After more than 10 months with little progress both facilities agreed it would be best to bring the animal back to the San Francisco Zoo. Our wellness and carnivore teams did extensive evaluations of her current condition and existing management. A plan was developed prior to her return and results were evaluated on a daily basis. Adjustments were made as we let the tiger’s behavior tell us when she was ready to progress. The plan and pro- cess were detailed and led to her successful positive behavior change. The tiger developed and maintains positive relationships with a large number of staff, shifts reliably, and participates in voluntary husbandry behaviors. Her dramatic change has not only improved her quality of life, it has given us the opportunity to bring in a male Sumatran tiger for breeding. This case study shows how individualized animal care and management can improve welfare while simultaneously supporting large scale goals such as the SSP breeding plan for this highly endangered species.

Take Better Care of Animals By Taking Care of Yourself

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PJ Beaven,
ZooFit

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Working with animals is a dream come true for many of us. We spend years studying and learning all we can to ensure we can give
creatures in our care the best life. But do we consider how we take care of ourselves into the equation?
PJ Beaven was a zookeeper who loved her animals, and wanted to do more. Her ah-ha moment came when she realized she couldn't give great care to her animals if she didn't take basic care of herself. PJ went on to develop a fitness program utilizing the principles of an animal care specialist. Using positive reinforcement training methods, enrichment, and even conservation, PJ lost 50 pounds but gained so much more.
Learn how to breaking healthy habits into small, achievable steps makes lifelong behavior change to improve our own well-being. In- corporate enrichment to make working out fun and exciting. And make a difference by connecting healthy habits to conservation efforts.
Whether you want to lose weight, pick up the extra large boomer ball, or increase your energy, PJ's revolutionary fitness program will help you be the best version of yourself you can be. Improve your fitness and give better care to the animals.

Wolf Animal-Assisted Therapy: A Collaborative Behaviour Management and Enrichment Strategy
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Gaby Dufresne-Cyr,
Dogue Shop/Park Safari

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The human-dog relationship is well documented. Recent studies have demonstrated C. familiaris has the ability to interpret and understand human emotions (Udell, Dorey & Wynne, 2003 and Guo, Meints, Hall, Hall & Mills, 2009) which confirms humans and animals form attachments. The human-animal bond is documented in Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) literature (Fine, 2010) as an inter-species connection which has the potential to promote human physical and psychological health. Anxiety, autism, Alzheimer, and learning disabilities are some of the conditions improved with AAT programs. Furthermore, positive physical results include a reduction in blood pressure, heart rate, and triglyceride levels (Barker and Dawson, 1998). Potential negative outcomes of dog AAT programs are thought repression, cognitive distraction, and reduced empathy; consequently, prolonged dog AAT sessions can be expected. The creation and development of the wolf animal-assisted therapy (WAAT) pilot program serves to establish a positive attachment be- tween participant and wolf in order to reduce the number of intervention sessions, increase communication skills, improve self- esteem, and enhance empathy. During sessions, participant perception of wolves as dangerous predators decreases; conversely, the empathy connection establishes the desire to protect wolves through conservation efforts. As discussed by Guo, Meints, Hall, & Mills (2009), wolf reactivity to humans diminishes with exposure. WAAT is the ultimate management, training, conservation, enrichment, and therapeutic program for both human and animal. This innovative program has the potential to reduce both wolf and human un- desirable behaviours, develop effective management and training strategies, promote conservation efforts, and overall enrich each other’s lives.