ABMA 2019
Special Presentations and Advanced Training Abstracts
|
The Future of Zoos Through the Eyes of a Dreamer Walt Disney said, “First Think, second, Believe, third, Dream, and finally, Dare.” Dreaming is what made Walt Disney so successful, and I believe what helps shape zoological facilities of the future. Dreams have inspired me toward many goals, some achieved but many still fixed in my imagination waiting for the right condition to take flight. I imagine the zoological facility of the future will flourish in a safe zone where daring to act on dreams is supported and nurtured, and minor mistakes are seen as opportunities to start again with more information rather than punished through peer pressure or criti- cism. In future zoos, all animal care professionals will have a clear understanding of the science of behavior change and be able to apply these principals at extraordinary levels with every animal at the facility instead of just the animals in their section. Through this exemplary training, animals experience optimal welfare, and desirable behaviors will replace problem behaviors. I see animals in environments rich with behavioral opportunities, empowered with control, and motivated to use their senses and adaptation to “earn” a living, much like their wild counterparts. When animals do what nature built them to do, their behavior will convey inspi- rational stories that inspire caring and conservation action in guest to our facilities. These are a few of the dreams I will share along with strategies for how to move them toward reality in this presentation.
|
|
Talking Training
Trainer and training evaluations are a necessary part of capacity building with any animal pro- gram. There is often resistance, fear, and aversion of being evaluated. This workshop will highlight some of the formats, successes and strategies to encourage capacity building in a safe and nurturing environment. Animal care professionals should al- ways be learning and part of that is understanding the science of training. The application of operant conditioning has greatly improved the welfare, animal care and guest experience. Being able to give and receive constructive feedback is crucial to that learning and application process. This workshop will be hosted by serval members of the Behavior Advisory Group (BAG) from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and will have interactive video for trainers to evaluate. There will be various options of evaluation forms to take back to their facility and use in their own programs, and live demo role-play with tactful constructive feedback and of course lots of positive reinforcement. Evaluators will be taught some of the science to go along with the feedback so that correct assessments can be given. Examples of training and interpretation to the guests will be another part of this workshop, telling our story and the great welfare advancements with are accomplishing with operant conditioning should be shared. Training animals is so much fun and talking training should be too. |
|
Working with Animal Groups
When we learn to train, we usually learn by working with a single animal. However, in the zoological world, we rarely work with one animal at a time. Making training decisions is less clear when there are two or more animals in front of the trainer. This presentation will focus on key techniques helpful in working with multiple animals. |
|
Complex Tools
As practical trainers we use many tools or hear about unique tools that do not appear in the scientific literature. There is confusion about tools such as the Keep Going Signal, Jackpots, No Reinforcement Markers, Recall Signals and End of Session Signals. This presentation will look at each tool and explore what the science says about each tool as well as a look at practical applications.
|