Tuesday Abstracts
Tuesday Videos (Requires login)
Keynote Speaker
Dr Joe Layng
Consequences Superimposition, Coercion, and their Nonlinear Alternatives
When one is attempting to change behavior, it is typical to focus on the behavior one wants to change. Often overlooked is the reason the behavior is occurring in the first place, the consequences that are maintaining the behavior. When change procedures target a behavior without reference to the function of the current behavior, the new criteria are often superimposed over the original criteria. One approach is to use a consequence that is momentarily more potent than the one maintaining the pattern targeted for change. Choice (degrees of freedom) is restricted such that the only way the learner can obtain the reinforcer is to meet the requirement imposed by the trainer. In essence, positive reinforcement may be used to compel (or coerce) a learner into forgoing one pattern for another (the behavior wanted by the trainer is essentially forced on the learner). When this approach is used, since the underlying contingency has been left unchanged, as soon as the training is halted, the animal is likely to return to the original behavior pattern. For example, an aggressive animal may sit and let a passerby proceed while quietly when sitting is reinforced with food, only to bark and lunge when no food is available. Or, the alternative may be masked. An animal with a sore paw may show reluctance to jump over a barrier, avoiding a painful landing. Food reinforcement made contingent on jumping results in the animal jumping and suffering the painful landing. This presentation will describe the differences between choosing more potent consequences and using the same critical consequences for different patterns of behavior in a nonlinear formulation, and what implications this presents for the trainer.
Conservation Partners
|
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary
|
Ewaso Lions
Dr Shivani Bhalla |
Tuesday Papers
Big Cat Blood Draw
|
Full Abstract
While voluntary blood collection is commonly trained by zookeepers across multiple species in zoos, keepers at the Abilene Zoo have taken the behavior and used two very different approaches to accomplish the same outcome in 1.1 Cougars and 1.2 African Lions. The presentation paper is about comparing the training methods utilized for training voluntary blood draw in both species with the intent to monitor the Mink Coronavirus Vaccine received. We used two different techniques on two separate species to have the same outcome. The cougars were trained for a voluntary blood draw from their tail due to their previous history of training with a line up. While the 1.0 Lion was able to perform a voluntary blood draw from his tail the 0.2 lions showed aggression around their tails. The idea to perform a blood draw from the cephalic vein in their arm was established. Knowing this information, we were able to work with the zoo’s maintenance team to create the necessary items to accomplish this; a tail door for cougars and a chute where the lions can present their forearms. In both scenarios, the keepers had to gain the trust of the cats they were working with to accomplish the behavior. There was the challenge in cougars of them having a negative association with Veterinary Staff as well. It took time but by earning the cat’s trust and utilizing positive reinforcement, the keepers were able to overcome the challenges faced. |
Live Animal Demonstration
Simon and Lindsey McNeny
Window to the Wild
Tuesday Papers (cont.)
|
From Grieving to Achieving: The Impact of Training for End of Life Care and New BeginningsJenna Browning Duke Lemur Center Full Abstract
The largest nocturnal lemur, the aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis), is notoriously elusive in the wild and remains a species with many mysteries. With only 23 individuals housed in the US, the Duke Lemur Center (DLC) actively participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) aye-aye species survival plan (SSP) with managed breeding recommendations. During its 55-year history, 31 aye-aye infants have been born at the DLC. In 2019 a young female, Fady, arrived on breeding loan to be paired with a resident male, Grendel. With a successful conception, a female infant, Winifred, was born in June 2020. As Winifred quickly grew into an energetic youngster, she began cautiously watching and participating in Fady’s training sessions. Tragically at 10 months old, Winifred was diagnosed with a rare sarcoma. Time was limited to condition voluntary behaviors to monitor physiological indicators of the cancer’s progression. Due to the aggressive impact of the cancer, two months after her initial diagnosis, Winifred was humanely euthanized. With the SSP breeding recommendation still intact, Fady was re-introduced to Grendel. In October 2021, a voluntary ultrasound confirmed that Fady was pregnant. With each proceeding week of pregnancy, images and videos of Fady’s fetus were voluntarily collected during training sessions, making it the first time the growth of an aye-aye fetus has been documented. This presentation will highlight the impact training has on eliminating stress while assessing an animal’s quality of life as well as documenting the development of new life. |
Behavioral Husbandry is a Team Sport:
|
BMF Winner
It's A Different Jungle in Here: Teaching cooperative care to wild jaguars at Belize Z00 through behavior scienceMegan Sanders and Jose Valdez
Belize Zoo Full Abstract
Since 1983, The Belize Zoo has provided care and sanctuary for native species; many of whom are orphans, rescues, or rehabilitation cases. Currently the zoo houses over 200 animals representing 45 species native to the area. Of note are the over 20 wild jaguars that have been brought into the zoo over the years under a variety of circumstances, 14 of which currently reside at the zoo. The trainers at Belize Zoo have the critical task of helping these cats, with no training background and often unpleasant history with human interactions, adjust to their life under human care. In 2017, through a partnership with the Pat Gives Back Foundation, Milwaukee County Zoo and Behavior Works consultants Megan and Amy, a yearly workshop was established to support Belize Zoo staff in expanding their training knowledge and using their skills in a more intentional way. Over the years of partnership, trainers have seen great successes utilizing concepts including antecedent arrangement, high rates of positive reinforcement and environmental enrichment. This presentation will explore the evolving relationships the trainers have with several of the resident rehab jaguars and look at techniques used to train for voluntary behaviors like injections, sub-q fluids, tail presentation and body inspection. |
Live Animal Demonstration
Becky Wolf, Nicki Boyd, Cari Inserra
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance