Formal Presentations Friday Abstracts
Friday Videos (Requires login)
|
Strategies For Building Resiliency Into Trainers And Pinnipeds
Kaleigh Jablonski-Trujillo Utah's Hogle Zoo Full Abstract
Animals gain knowledge from a variety of experiences over time. In the wild, animals face predation, human encroachment, and disease. Survival is often based on a combination of skill (learned over time), natural instincts, and luck. In zoological facilities, our animals face different everyday encounters than their wild counterparts which can often become routine or muted. However, it is inevitable that our animals will face construction, transfers, medical challenges and changes in staff. Preparing our animals to handle these changes is part of our job as keepers. Within the pinniped program at Utah’s Hogle Zoo we have found that by intentionally introducing obstacles we can increase the resiliency of the animal and the trainer. The learning process of each new trainer and animal pairing includes navigating space, communication in a group scenario, and working through a series of challenges together. This presentation will show strategies for baking the basics of resiliency into the trainer learning process and training plans of behaviors associated with significant life events. |
Bridging the Gap: Improving Adoptability of Fearful and Aggressive Parrots Through Behavior Modification
Mr. Chase Alsup Colorado State University Full Abstract
Parrots in animal shelter settings can benefit from behavior modification, enabling them to meet desired adoption handling outcomes. Behavior modification has not typically been applied to psittacine species in adoption settings due to the absence of a feasible time budget and a comprehensive training program in the existing literature. We demonstrate a graded counterconditioning protocol in parrots to mitigate fear-based behaviors within days. Eleven long-term stay parrots chosen for this study had documented histories of fear-based behaviors (avoidance, aggression, vocalization) and demonstrated these behaviors towards people with attempted handling. Our program comprised four distinct stages: preliminary, classical conditioning of trainer presence, cage interaction, and operant conditioning of a ‘step-up’ behavior. Seven of eleven parrots (63.6%) completed this training program in an average of 80.83 minutes of training time over an average of 8.33 days, using an average of 75.83 food items to progress through all stages. These parrots successfully established a voluntary ‘step-up’ behavior when not previously offered, demonstrating successful adoption handling outcomes. Three of the remaining parrots made some progress but did not complete the free-handling steps, while one parrot made no progress at all. Similar to programs for other companion animal species in shelters, our results highlight the short time needed to effectively change behavior in challenging birds that are up for adoption. With less than 1.5 hours of training investment, such programs can serve as shelter intake diversion strategies, support consultation efforts, and enhance safety for parrots and their caregivers. |
Seeing Through Their Eyes-
Strategies for Training and Assessing Voluntary Participation In Ambassador Animal Sheep Dr. Jennie Willis Suzie Halvorson Colorado State University Full Abstract
The distinction between an ambassador animal and mascot is the choice the animal has in whether to participate or not, sometimes referred to as consent or more recently assent. Mascots have typically represented universities without regard to their welfare or choice to participate. Colorado State University has several intact male Rambouillet sheep as ambassador animals to represent the university. The Cam the Ram program transitioned to an all voluntary, positive reinforcement-based program centered in choice in 2019. Our sheep are walked in public, handled and touched by people and have complex event situations to navigate such as sporting events, transportation and crowds. Our sheep take part in many behavioral husbandry behaviors such as voluntary shearing, hoof care and injections. We have developed opt-in behaviors to signal a willingness to participate criteria across the animals in our program. It can take many months of training to prepare an ambassador animal to choose to participate in a public space in order to create that defining moment for a visitor. Noises, movements, actions by people and sudden changes can affect an ambassador animal’s ability to opt in to cooperating with an outreach event. Fear can lead to many unwanted behaviors in public, which necessitates a strong graded counterconditioning preparation program. Our goal has been to create well-rounded, stable and confident animals who can choose to participate in interacting with the public through clear behavioral signaling. We hope to share some strategies and measurables for how we have accomplished this in our training program. |
|
SPIDER for Growth
Dr Cathy Mingee Sally Adams North Carolina Zoo Full Abstract
Animal keepers & trainers often talk about being “animal people,” not “people people,” but human relationships are critical to successful animal management. Many of us have stories of challenges communicating with our teammates or supervisors which have led to feelings such as a lack of belonging, stunted growth, strained team dynamics, or the decision to seek other opportunities. This presentation focuses on some of the solutions we have found to help increase effective communication and build professional relationships by applying the commonly used SPIDER model to personal growth. We will discuss how to: 1) identify and set appropriate goals for development, 2) plan and implement appropriate actions to accomplish your goals, 3) document to improve reflection and further accomplishment, and 4) ways to appropriately evaluate and continually re-adjust your goals as you continue to grow. We will highlight topics such as identifying core beliefs and flexible values, building a network of appropriate mentors and effectively communicating. We will also discuss ‘followership’ and how to develop effective partnerships to create teams that are working together towards common goals while supporting the needs of individuals. These methods for growth can be used for self-reflection or to help support and develop staff, resulting in stronger team communication and, ultimately, a thriving work environment. |
Publishing Permission Pending
UNCHARTED WATERS: TRACKING BEHAVIOR CHANGE IN DOLPHIN SOCIAL INTRODUCTIONS Dr. Erin Frick Lara Eade Eckerd College, Animal Studies Full Abstract
Effective animal behavior management in zoological facilities requires ongoing monitoring of social dynamics and welfare, particularly during social introductions and environmental changes. This longitudinal case study at Clearwater Marine Aquarium examines new social pairings and behavioral changes in rough-toothed dolphins, demonstrating the importance of systematic, non-invasive behavior analysis to support management decisions. Behavioral monitoring of resident dolphins Rex and Rudy began over a year before any social group changes, establishing baselines for social interactions and activity budgets. After Rex passed away, Rudy’s behavioral changes and stability were documented to inform management decisions during his time without a companion. The introduction of Rosie, a female rescued rough-toothed dolphin, was tracked through multiple time-point phases, including relocation from an outdoor habitat to a shared habitat with bottlenose dolphins, kept acoustically separate. Rosie and Rudy formed a strong bond, but the introduction of Rosie to Hope, a bottlenose dolphin, highlighted the individualized nature of social dynamics. While Rosie and Hope formed a successful pairing, Rudy needed more time to adjust. These findings underscore the dynamic nature of dolphin social behavior and the value of behavioral monitoring in making informed, data-driven management decisions. This study demonstrates how systematic behavior monitoring, integrated with the knowledge of animal care teams, provides a powerful tool to enhance animal welfare. By using data-driven insights, facilities can make more informed decisions about social introductions and welfare outcomes, improving the well-being of the animals without adding to staff workload. Collaboration with academic researchers enhances the capacity for informed, effective management practices. |
Using Differential Reinforcement to Aid in Reducing Stereotypical Behaviors
Matthew Nguyen Dolphin Island, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore Full Abstract
Stereotypical behavior is distinguished by repetitive, non-functional actions that differ from an animal’s natural behavior in the wild (Mason, 2006). An estimation of 85 million animals worldwide are executing stereotypical behaviors hence it is becoming an issue of concern (Mason & Latham, 2004) especially for practical and welfare reasons (Mason & Rushen, 2008). In Dolphin Island, we focused on two Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins to heighten our efforts in addressing this issue while reducing the frequencies of unwanted behaviors displayed by them. Assessing the effectiveness of different intervention strategies, ranging from variability in our sessions, environmental enrichment and dietary adjustments to mental and physical stimulation. Studies have shown that introducing stimulation can decrease the frequency of stereotypical behavior, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of animals (Goldblatt, 1993). With the use of Differential reinforcement, primarily Differential reinforcement for Alternative behavior (DRA), Low rates of behavior (DRL) and Incompatible behavior (DRI). Both dolphins underwent similar regimes to reduce the counts of stereotypical behaviors over months with the methods listed above. Overtime, there was a significant reduction seen in them displaying stereotypical behaviors. In conclusion, as much as varying our methods to aid with reducing stereotypic behaviors, differential reinforcement plays an equal amount of importance. |
|
Resilience Under Fire:
Sustaining Animal and Keeper Welfare During a War Elly Neumann Benjamin Fainsod Jerusalem Zoo Full Abstract
Resilience often requires preparation, but in October 2023, the war in Israel thrust our zoo into a situation that tested the limits of adaptability for both animals and staff. This presentation explores how we navigated the immense challenges of maintaining welfare under extraordinary circumstances. For the animals, the sudden onset of stressful events—including rocket sirens, overhead explosions, and staff shortages—required swift adjustments to care routines. Case studies with elephants, chimpanzees, and lions illustrate the varied responses of the animals, from neutral to stress-related behaviors, and highlight the strategies employed to sustain their welfare during these disruptions. For the staff, the crisis presented profound emotional and logistical challenges. With team members called to reserve duty, families impacted by war, and traumatic events affecting every individual, the zoo became both a workplace and a sanctuary. Despite the hardships, staff worked together to ensure continuity of care, build enrichment and training programs, and support one another across diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Opening the zoo to displaced families further reinforced its role as a place of healing and hope. This presentation reflects on the lessons learned about resilience, teamwork, and the importance of supporting both people and animals in times of crisis. It underscores how, through determination and unity, we can persevere and even grow stronger in the face of adversity. |
Progress Towards 24/7 Wellbeing
Joey Golden The Maryland Zoo Full Abstract
Over the last two years, The Maryland Zoo has begun developing programs designed to evaluate and improve animal well being on a 24/7 schedule. When beginning this process, the zoo identified two major challenges. The first challenge was our inability to know what the animals are doing when staff aren’t physically present. This led to the installation of cameras across the zoo and implementation of a volunteer/intern program that would review the footage and collect data. The second challenge we faced was that the environments that we provide for our animals are static when we are absent, consequently offering less reinforcers relative to when we are present. To combat this challenge, we established an engineering program with the mission of developing and innovating technology that would lead to dynamic animal environments. Examples of developed technology include timed feeders, data loggers that evaluate enrichment, and automated experiences that allow the animal to control outcomes in their environment over the entire course of a day. |