Formal Presentations Tuesday Abstracts
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Experience This!
The Development of a Keeper-Devised, Behavior-Driven Enrichment Program Heather Shields The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens Full Abstract
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is dedicated to fostering behavior-based experiences for its zoological collection. While this approach embraces impeccable wellbeing for the animals, implementing experiences effectively poses challenges for staff members. In response, the behavior team has developed an innovative onboarding process designed to educate incoming keepers how to create enriching experiences for animals. This paper details the step-by-step development of this program, addressing common challenges such as limited supplies, creative constraints, and time budgeting. The implementation of a dedicated workshop space equipped with ample supplies, how-to guides and idea binders, and training for various power tools is included in staff orientation, empowering keepers with the necessary resources. Furthermore, the establishment of keeper-led working groups enhances collaboration and creativity, overcoming the traditional barriers associated with a lack of ideas. Additionally, the introduction of grab-and-go boxes combines the familiar concept of object-based enrichment with associated optional experiences, facilitating a seamless integration of "old school" and "new school" enrichment strategies. By sharing the experiences and successes of this onboarding program, this paper aims to provide valuable insights for other zoological institutions seeking to enhance the engagement of their animal care staff. |
Cracking the Code:
A Case Study on Decreasing Screaming Habits in Moluccan Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis) Melanie Canatella Fluff and Feathers Full Abstract
A case study on a 26-year-old male Moluccan Cockatoo who had a social-related screaming habit. A method derived from a trial done by Dr. Tim Vollmer on an autistic individual was modified for the use of a parrot. Utilizing functional communication training and differential reinforcement of an alternative behavior, the cockatoo was taught to ring a bell when he wanted attention. The bell was presented in his environment only when the humans in the environment were able to give him attention. When he rang the bell, the humans stopped everything and immediately gave attention reinforcement for 30 seconds. He was free to ring the bell as often as he wanted while it was in his environment. It utilizes socially mediated reinforcement that can be stopped whenever the human can no longer give attention, providing better communication to the bird. Extinction was also used when he was screaming by simply ignoring it. During functional assessment, screaming was frequent, over 30 times a day with durations lasting on average 12 minutes. After 3 months, screaming was greatly decreased with screaming only happening on average 9 times per day with the average duration being 2 minutes. Matching law was a huge part in this effort by making ringing the bell the most reinforcing scenario compared to screaming. This method could help parrots of all species stay in their homes, or decrease facility noise, by creating a method communication between species on their desires and abilities, helping the parrot and caretaker. |
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BMF WINNER
Sonic Serenity: Innovative Auditory Training for an Elderly, Blind Vervet Monkey Felipe Robayo Rincon Parque Zoologico del Centenario Full Abstract
Initiated in early April, this project delves into a customized training program devised for a senior, visually impaired vervet monkey, with the overarching aim of ameliorating daily care, enriching routine experiences, and ensuring a cooperative demeanor towards caregivers and humans, crucial for elementary clinical examinations to keep tabs on the animal's health. In this project, the inherent challenges posed by the monkey's advanced age and loss of sight called for a tailored approach to the training regimen. A pivotal aspect of this adaptation was the incorporation of auditory cues, with a whistle serving as the primary form of communication. However, the hallmark innovation was the application of a jingle bell sound as a calming auditory cue. This distinctive cue significantly eased the reinstatement of calm and focus during training sessions when the monkey exhibited stress, discomfort, or a tendency to withdraw. The jingle bell sound emerged as a potent tool to alleviate anxiety, facilitating a smoother transition back to the training tasks. This aural-cued methodology not only fostered a substantial improvement in the daily handling of the monkey but also enriched its interactive experiences with caregivers, ultimately forging a conducive environment for necessary health evaluations and interventions. Through this project, we vividly showcase how auditory cues play a compelling role in enhancing the manageability and training efficiency of visually impaired or elderly animals. This finding will pave the way for further research and development in animal behavioral training and care. |
Behavioral Improvements of Reticulated Python via
Target Training Sam Sanders Fort Wayne Children's Zoo Full Abstract
Behavioral management via one-on-one training with keepers, though well practiced with many mammal and bird species and becoming more popular in chelonians and some lizard species, is still rarely seen in many species of snake. Training of snakes is often limited to some form of bucketing, tubing, or luring; and the snakes that do get a more detailed training regimen tend to be smaller, more docile, or easily handled species. This leaves larger or less docile snakes with greater risk of unmanaged behavioral problems that can decrease their quality of life and decrease keeper safety. When presented with an adult Reticulated Python (Malayopython reticulatus) who had developed a hyper-active food response that was often aimed towards keepers, we wanted to help improve these behaviors instead of simply working around them. Ten months of consistent training resulted in a reliable target behavior and notable behavioral shift from the python. Behavioral improvements, including a reduction of food response, striking at the glass, and charging at keepers, allowed for the introduction of more one-on-one keeper time which results in a python that can be handled in small increments. Behavioral improvements persist even through diet decrease, injury, medical exams, and further training on voluntary restraints. Encouraging an equivalent training standard in snakes as is expected in mammals, birds, and chelonians opens a pathway to understanding and developing snake behavior as well as facilitates safer snake-keeper interactions. The combination of both allows for greater educational opportunities to guests and keepers alike. |
Storytelling, the Next Frontier:
Utilizing the Science of Behavior to Maximize Guest Connections to Animals Basia Dann Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Full Abstract
"Emerging research highlights the impact storytelling has in creating experiences that cross boundaries of language, culture, and species. Museums, national parks and theme parks have tapped into this narrative form to influence guest perception, interest, and commitment to common goals. Animals in human care have the potential to be ambassadors for their wild counterparts and animal keepers can act as interpreters for the zoo animals and mission. Zoos and aquariums can help animals and keepers to fulfill these roles by focusing more closely on the often under-utilized skills of effective storytelling. This presentation explains how to build an effective story through interpretation by animal staff, promotion of animal behavior through training and enrichment, and exhibit design that sets up a story-rich environment. After providing the tools to build effective storytelling, this paper proposes an accessible method of analyzing effectiveness of guest interactions by utilizing behavior-based analysis familiar to animal keepers and the animal behavior profession. " |
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Implementing a Multi-Faceted Behavioral Approach
to Mitigate Undesirable Behavior in a Cowtail Ray (Pastinachus Sephen) Amanda Vaughan The Seas with Nemo and Friends Walt Disney World Full Abstract
After introducing a cowtail ray (Pastinachus sephen) into the 5.7-million-gallon Main Environment at Disney’s The Seas with Nemo and Friends, aquarists discovered that the social, behavioral, and husbandry requirements of this ray far exceeded those of other elasmobranchs. Shortly after his release, the adult ray, Larry, began exhibiting heightened, aggressive interactions of excessive chasing and biting towards contra-specifics. These interactions escalated as time passed and were creating disruption to feeding opportunities to the entirety of the elasmobranch collection, disturbing daily husbandry routines, causing animal injuries that required medical intervention, and contributing to increased aquarist frustration. To address Larry’s undesirable behavior, the aquarium team created a multi-fold plan that tackled the issue from a short-term behavioral, long-term behavioral, and physiological perspective. Through strategic implementation of this combination strategy, Larry’s husbandry team was committed to producing a holistic animal management plan that encouraged not only a sustainable change in Larry’s chronic chasing and biting behavior, but also a welfare plan that he and his contra-specifics benefitted from for the long haul. By creating a tool to measure the frequency and intensity of Larry’s interactions, the team was able to use evidence-based data to see how aggression was trending over time and assess the success of behavioral modification techniques being utilized. Through consistent implementation of the multi-faceted strategy, regular data interpretation, and collaborative work amongst partnering teams, not only did Larry’s interactions substantially decline, but numerous other unexpected animal welfare wins were achieved within the Main Environment. |
Assent-based Training for Husbandry Procedures in Canines and Caprines
Ryan Talbot Khaz Brooks Full Abstract
Training for husbandry procedures is a fundamental responsibility for caretakers of captive animals. More and more, emphasis is being placed on the welfare benefits of providing learners with choice and control over when, how, and what they are being trained to do and by whom. A critical tool in providing these opportunities is to train a set of one or more behaviors that indicate on-going assent to a particular husbandry procedure, and put the learner in a position that facilitates the procedure itself. Here, we demonstrate assent and assent-withdrawal for several husbandry behaviors in a free-contact setting with large canine and caprine learners. We also showcase some simple-to-fabricate targets that work across multiple species for indicating assent. |