General Session 8
COGNITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL
ENRICHMENT FOR AFRICAN ELEPHANTS (LOXODONTA AFRICANA AFRICANA) IN ZOOS; DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE APPLICATIONS Brian Greco, San Diego Zoo Global Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Over the course of the last several decades, much research has shown that one of the most effective ways to improve welfare in a captive setting is to implement environmental enrichment. If implemented correctly, these environmental changes, and the behaviors associated with them, can provide a captive animal with stimuli necessary for optimal psychological and physiological wellbeing. However, as zoological institutions have increasingly employed environmental enrichment, much of the science and theory underlying it has become diluted. The norm for zoos has devolved into implementation of goalless-“everything-but-the-kitchen-sink” enrichment strategies. Additionally, many of these “kitchen-sink” strategies fail to provide the target species with appropriate cognitive challenge and/or “eustress”. For a species that ranks with humans and great apes for their large encephalization quotient, surprisingly little is known about the cognitive processes and capabilities of African elephants (Loxodonta africana africana). Over the course of the last two years, the known cognitive characteristics of African elephants and several other species were analyzed in order to develop novel cognitive enrichments for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s African elephants. This paper discusses each the development of each apparatus, the cognitive challenge they provide, and the cognitive characteristics revealed by implementation. Additionally, the authors discuss how to develop and maintain the cognitive component of a zoo species’ enrichment plan. |
Full Abstract
Recently a researcher approached our large animal facility manager about housing nineteen, two-month-old piglets and assisting with data collection. Part of the protocol required that the piglets be fed an individually measured high sugar/high fat diet over a period of 16 weeks. The piglets would also need to be weighed once weekly, a duty that he reported took him 3-4 hours a week. We were already short staffed and wondering how we would be able to take care of the piglets and collect the data needed for the study. The use of positive reinforcement training to reduce stress and facilitate voluntary cooperation in laboratory animals is well documented. We decided to train the pigs to walk about 45 feet from their holding room, down the hall and get on the platform scale. After identifying a palatable treat that would not interfere with the study, we offered the piglets a sugar wafer in their runs daily for three days. For the next two weeks we led each pig down the hall until they reached the scale while enticing them with the sugar wafer. After just 2 weeks of training, all 19 pigs run down the hall and stand on the scale where they enjoy about ½ of a sugar wafer while their weights are being recorded. The positive reinforcement training was a stress free, positive experience for the pigs and the technicians, as well. This task is now accomplished in less than 20 minutes. |
Full Abstract
At the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Washington animal care staff have been using animal training not only as a means to improve overall husbandry care but also as a way to mentally stimulate animals. In this sense, training is a form of enrichment. It gives animals more control over their lives by allowing them to make choices about whether they will cooperate with training. When they cooperate, they receive positive rewards. Many animals like to learn and problem-solve, training provides opportunities for both. Enrichment is known to improve the well-being of animals, and one component of any good enrichment program is training. Animal care staff are using training techniques with sloth bears (Melarus ursinus) and sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) that are designed to provide greater access to the animals for husbandry and veterinary procedures. Enrichment is used to elicit many naturalistic behaviors and our training starts with naturalistic behaviors being shaped into useful positions to reach husbandry goals. Examples include hand injections, regular weights, mouth and claw presentations, and the ability to assess reproductive status. Conducting sessions at random time intervals with differing staff members adds to the complexity of the animals’ lives. By regularly involving members of the veterinary staff, animals are desensitized to novel staff, which can be invaluable when they inevitably need medical care. Even though the operant conditioning concepts being used are well established in the industry, we have been able to meet our goals without the use of chutes, squeezes or training ports. |