Formal Presentations Friday Abstracts
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An Investigation Into the Correlation Between
Dog Personality and Problem-Solving Behavior and What It Can Teach Us About Creating Individually Personalized Enrichment Nancy Strever Eckerd College Full Abstract
In comparative studies of cognitive abilities between dogs and wolves, past research has explored the impact of genetic domestication on various behaviors in dogs. However, there has been little research on individual variation in problem-solving behavior between dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). Utilizing participants from a local dog daycare facility, our study assesses the relationship between individual dog personalities and success in solving a novel multi-access puzzle box. Our study combines behavioral observation, surveying, and apparatus research to provide valuable insights into the interplay of personality traits, problem-solving behavior, frustration tolerance, and neophilia in dogs. The purpose of this study was to enhance our understanding of individual differences among members of the same species and to demonstrate the need for developing tailored enrichment strategies for optimal welfare. Our research aims to highlight the significance of cognitive and environmental enrichment in mitigating stereotypic behaviors and emphasizing the importance of behavior management and positive reinforcement training. Increasing our understanding of animal personality, problem-solving behavior, and the benefits of cognitive enrichment, through the lens of man's best friend, aims to contribute to positive welfare implications for all species under human care. |
Developing an Environmental Auditing Tool for Excel
Dr. Jean Elick Fort Wayne Children's Zoo Full Abstract
The environmental conditions of animal enclosures were evaluated by means of an innovative and holistic approach using a new Excel based tool. This approach was designed to be non-biased and effective across taxa and geographically diverse sectors. The tool was specifically designed to compare enclosure conditions to a defined optimum and therefore to assess how well the environment provided meets the needs of the inhabitants. The tool was designed to be highly flexible and easy to use, conveying enclosure conditions quickly, while making entering data, updating information, and tracking changes simple to complete. And because of this, the tool allows for condition optimization and for the monitoring of changes over time possible. Therefore, use of this tool with repeated cycles of close supervision, assessment and renovations designed to improve conditions, should enable institutions to refine an enclosure toward ideal conditions for the animal housed therein. |
Personalized Pathways: Tailoring Training for Elephant Well-Being
Dr. Cathy Mingee North Carolina Zoo Full Abstract
The combination of science and creativity can profoundly advance animal care management programs, enabling individualized planning and, in consequence, improved welfare. The African elephant care team at The North Carolina Zoo will present their work developing specialized techniques to manage two elephants presenting behavioral challenges. Nekhanda, a 35 year-old female, had a history of undesirable behaviors which include aggression towards keepers and objects, and self-directed negative behaviors possibly resulting from a traumatic injury that happened prior to her move to the NC Zoo in 2007. Although Nekhanda was successfully introduced to the herd at NC Zoo (even bonding with our matriarch), she continued to demonstrate undesirable behaviors periodically, particularly during training sessions that were physically or mentally ‘uncomfortable’ . Louie, a 20 year-old male, who joined our herd in 2021, had a history of aggression towards keepers with very subtle precursors. This presented challenges, as staff needed to develop relationships with him, but theses precursors varied widely, making it difficult to develop consistency or set expectations for both him and keepers. This presentation will discuss the path the elephant team took to safely manage the two elephants, while increasing their overall wellbeing. We will highlight how data collection on daily activities and recognition of patterns led to some quick successes, demonstrate the use of functional assessment and information gathering to guide solutions, and discuss the challenges that keepers faced while finding the right combination of solutions to successfully achieve training goals. “Presentation Materials Courtesy of the North Carolina Zoological Park, a Division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.” |
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Beyond the Chute:
Rhino Ultrasound Training - A Tale of Creativity and Resourceful Animal Training Sierra Smith Tanganyika Wildlife Park Full Abstract
“Beyond the Chute: Rhino Ultrasound Training - A Tale of Creativity and Resourceful Animal Training" Sometimes our set ups, holdings, and circumstances aren’t ideal for training behaviors in a traditional sense. When faced with that situation it’s imperative that we harness what’s within our circle of influence and work with what we’ve got. We’ll talk about how we mastered rectal ultrasound training and hoof care with our Indian rhino without the luxury of a chute. Learn about the adaptations we made, showcasing the power of creativity and resourcefulness in animal training. We're not just talking about rhinos; we're talking about taking control of what's within your circle of influence, pushing boundaries, and achieving goals with the resources at hand. Be prepared to leave the room with a newfound enthusiasm for thinking outside the box in the realm of animal training. It's time to turn challenges into opportunities and create extraordinary results with the tools you have in your zookeeper toolkit! |
Impacts of Animals, Handlers, & Presentation Styles on Informal Animal Encounters at Zoo Atlanta
Christina Lavallee Zoo Atlanta Full Abstract
Animal encounters are an important part of informal education at the zoo providing information from observations, facts, interpretation, and touch opportunities. Guests were observed at Zoo Atlanta in the fall of 2022 to see what of the many competing forces impacted stay time. Visitors got many up-close interactions and opportunities to interact with the animal handler to build upon their knowledge in this informal educational setting. There were approximately 604 visitors from 94 groups of people observed. Eleven different handlers were observed from the keeper staff, education staff, and docents. Several species were represented including four snake species, three tortoise species, two armadillo species, and an invertebrate. Additionally, animals were presented either in the handler hands or on the ground or natural climbing structure. The presenters' experience with the animal, how the animal was presented, and the impact of touch on an encounter were compared with the visitor’s stay time. Did any of these factors impact stay time? |
How the Raven got its blue eyes:
Integrating Indigenous Culture into an Education and Training Program Chandelle Cotter Lisa Pajot Bird Treatment and Learning Center Full Abstract
The indigenous peoples of Alaska are known for our resilience, connections to the natural world and our ability to thrive in even the harshest conditions. The opportunity of revamping an education and training program for a local nonprofit allowed us to blend these traditional values with current best practices in the zoological industry. Focusing on our Alutiiq and Yupik cultures along with the science of animal training, we were able to improve animal welfare, accomplish behavioral goals, and build an education program that honors both the animals and humans that participate. |
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Expanding Our Feedback Loop: Evolving the Ways We Give Feedback to Our Peers
Scott Trauger Natural Encounters, Inc. Full Abstract
This paper will take a deep dive into the development of the skill of offering feedback to our human learners. As the animal field continues to improve in many aspects of animal welfare through behavior management, we often overlook the opportunities to offer feedback to the human learners in our day to day interactions. By focusing on further developing our toolkit for interacting with the humans in our lives, we can better increase the overall capabilities of our teams, which in turn will increase the effectiveness of what our teams can do to better evolve the welfare of all of the animals, both human and animal, in our care. |
A Pivotal Transformation: Integrating the Science of Behaviour Change into Practice
Bianca Papadopoulos Behavior Works, LLC & Melbourne Zoo Full Abstract
Over the past 18 years, my professional journey within zoos, aquariums, and marine parks has exposed me to diverse species and an array of training styles and terminology. At one juncture, I harboured an ego-driven confidence that I was a master trainer, believing I held the keys to get animals to do what I wanted, when I wanted them to do it. However, in 2015, my perspective underwent a profound shift when I was awarded an international fellowship to explore global best practices in animal training within zoo settings. This pivotal fellowship dismantled my previously narrow views on training and opened the gates to the expansive realm of the science of behavior change. From that transformative moment, I embarked on a journey to integrate scientific principles not only into my interactions with animals but also into my engagements with people. This shift demanded a recalibration of the tools on my training belt. In this presentation, I will provide a glimpse into this transformative journey, offering insights into the practical components of this change. Drawing from my experiences as the Animal Training Coordinator at Melbourne Zoo and a Zoo Behavior Consultant for Behavior Works, LLC, I will showcase tangible examples of how the incorporation of behavioral science has influenced and reshaped my current roles. |