Developing a Successful Positive Reinforcement Training Elephant Program

​Understanding Positive Reinforcement
and its Application

Thad Lacinak, 
Precision Behavior

Full Abstract

No Abstract

Conditioning Voluntary Behaviors with African Elephants as Part of a
​Behavioral Management Program

Sue Young,
ZooTampa at Lowry Park 

Full Abstract

No Abstract

Success in Making a Complex Behavior Reinforcing, Using a Strong
Trusting Relationship

Paige Shallcross & Cathy Mingee,
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 

Full Abstract

Utilizing positive reinforcement and choice based training, we have been successful in making complex behaviors such as a blood draw, reinforcing. In a choice based training program, a strong trust based relationship must be present between the trainers and animals that will be involved in the procedure. Our habitat contains a built in interaction/husbandry area which allows us to work up-close with the elephants while they have access to conspecifics, food, and other stimuli. While we can perform blood draws in our behind the scenes static chute, we prefer to ask for these behaviors on the habitat to increase the elephants time on a soft substrate, allow the herd to remain together, and also create transparency for our guests. The blood draw behavior starts by asking the elephant to line their body up flush against the wall, presenting their ear through a window and maintaining that position until the blood draw is complete. This behavior also allows us to give tactile reinforcement to the elephants in a variety of locations such as the tongue, ear, face and across their body. By pairing the blood draw, and other husbandry behaviors, with the up-close tactile reinforcement, along with the other non-husbandry sessions completed at the husbandry wall, we have been successful in creating such as strong reinforcement history in the area that leaving to allow the next elephant to come over for their husbandry is what we consider to be our biggest challenge. 

Training Behavior Chains as a Learning Opportunity, a Way to Build and Strengthen Relationships, and to Create a Reinforcement History in Various Locations Around an Elephant Habitat
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Dana Boyles, 
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 

Full Abstract

The interaction area, located on the elephant habitat at Busch Gardens, has a strong reinforcement history, as it is the main location where we complete our husbandry procedures and is a place where we can be very hands on with our elephants to provide tactile reinforcement. The strong reinforcement history of the interaction area makes it challenging to ask the elephants to leave and go to another part of the habitat for other training sessions. The goal of training behavior chains was to provide a learning opportunity of a complex behavior that would allow other areas of the habitat to become more reinforcing while providing an engaging type of session to keep the rest of the herd mentally stimulated while husbandry procedures were going on with other individuals. Complex behaviors, like behavior chains, are a way to add to an individual's repertoire of trained behaviors while providing another way to strengthen the animal and trainers relationship without doing husbandry and with the focus of the reinforcement not necessarily always being food and being the next discriminative stimulus provided by the trainer. 


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Implementing Choice and Control in Elephant Behavior Management

Choice and Control


​Mindy Albright, 
San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Full Abstract

Implementing choice and control during medical treatments has proven very beneficial. It appears that the elephants have a higher tolerance for medical treatment and potentially aversive scenarios when they have the ability to end the session whenever they would like to. We have had a few long-term medical treatments where choice and control proved not only to be beneficial for the elephants but it helped the trainers be more thorough in their care of the medical case. A few cases stand out…
 Kami, an 8-year-old female, had two nine-inch deep wounds on the side of her head. Her wounds were flushed BID. It was very clear that she was much more successful and willing to participate when given the opportunity to leave the session.
 Qinisa, a 3-year-old female had a small pimple like mark on her side that the veterinarians wanted to perform a punch biopsy and culture. We decided that the procedure would be done without any sedation or physical restraint. She held for the entire procedure and had the ability to leave us at any moment, but she did not.
 Tusk removals for two elephants required daily sulcus flushes of the voided pockets, which were about 6-8 inches deep. These sessions were long in nature and utilized choice and control.
 The majority of our major medical care is in a location where the elephant is free to leave the session. We do get more participation and compliance with choice and control then we do with restraint. 

Voluntary Semen Collections on a
​Bull African Elephant in a
Protected Contact System

Christi Reiter, 
ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Full Abstract

The captive elephant population in North America is not currently sustainable.  The lack of breeding bulls and the absence of successful semen collections are key contributors to the state of the current population.  Importation of wild elephants, involuntary electroejaculation, the use of restraints and traditional manual stimulation techniques are not ideal due to posed health risks, financial constraints, sample quality and undue stress on the animal from lack of choice.  Semen collection on a variety of species including dolphins, primates, rhinos and elephants has been prevalent in zoos and aquariums for many years.  As zoos and management techniques evolve and improve, so does that of training techniques, research and conservation efforts.  The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is home to a herd of twelve African elephants ranging from five years to approximately twenty-nine years of age.  Of these twelve elephants, six are males with five of those males under the age of ten.  The subject for this particular project, Lutsandvo, began training for semen collection when he was six years old, first sample containing semen was shortly after he turned seven and the first successful freezable sample was achieved just before the age of eight. The end goal for the collection technique with this elephant was/is to get a successful semen sample unrestrained with no manual stimulation thereby reducing the invasive nature of the semen collection process and possibly providing a higher quality sample.

Utilizing a "turn-around" Behavior, in a Choice Based Training Program for Administration of Rectal Antibiotics
​
Jordan Hayes & Cathy Mingee,
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 

Full Abstract

As a team, we believe husbandry behaviors are some of the most important things we can train. These behaviors can allow us to shape new behaviors, access the elephants in a close proximity, be repurposed, and allow us to message how we care for our elephants to our guests. One example of a husbandry behavior we’ve been able to use for a variety of purposes is a turn-around behavior where the elephant turns away from us, giving the option of presenting rear feet or their tail. When the veterinary team determined one of our elephants needed antibiotics we knew oral medication was not an option, but we could use the turn behavior for the administration rectally. The turn behavior can be done in any location in our indoor facility or at our husbandry wall on the habitat, which means we don’t have to socially isolate the elephant and we can keep the time of day variable. In addition, by not relying on our husbandry chute, we can create even more choice and control for the elephant involved in the training session because they have access to more space and resources. 

Elephant Cognition Research

The Benefits and Challenges of Cognitive Research with Elephants

Lauren Highfill, Ph.D., 
Eckerd College

Full Abstract

Elephants possess sophisticated cognitive skills that allow them to make sense of both their
physical and social worlds. Therefore, elephants living in a zoo environment may benefit from
cognitive challenges designed to assess and address their capabilities. To assist handlers in
implementing meaningful cognitive tasks for their animals, we encourage the zoo community to
forge relationships with local scientists and students to expand and increase their efforts to
enhance the cognitive wellness of species such as elephants. Providing animals the opportunity
to solve challenging tasks creates a dynamic environment, promotes choice-based activity, and
stimulates mental and physical exercise. We will describe cognitive experiments recently
conducted with the elephants at Zoo Tampa, as an example of the enriching potential of
cognitive research. 

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Public Perceptions of Elephants in Zoos, Sanctuaries and "the Wild"

Elephant Conservation: Reviewing the Need and Potential Impact of Cognition-based Education

Radhika N. Makecha, Ph. D.,
Eastern Kentucky University

Full Abstract

Given the importance of public perceptions of both wild and captive elephants, increasing attention is being devoted to conservation education programs. However, little attention has been paid to the role that knowledge on animal cognition (animal minds) plays in public perceptions of wildlife, including elephants, a species which suffers severe conservation challenges. Public fascination of animal cognition is widespread, ranging from documentaries on ape minds and elephant family structures to popular news and magazine articles on animal minds, including some of the “superstars” of the animal cognition world, such as Alex, the African gray parrot and Koko, the gorilla. Part of this fascination stems from the connection we feel with non-human animals once we learn that many of them have similar abilities to our own. We discuss the evidence that does exist on the effectiveness of animal cognition-based education programs, and emphasize the need for cognition-based elephant conservation education programs in both wild and captive settings. Additionally, we address the need to evaluate the effects these programs have on conservation attitudes and public perceptions towards elephants. Finally, we discuss our upcoming project (June, 2018) on assessing the effects of a cognition based education program on the attitudes of villagers towards Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in conflict-prone areas in and around Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) in Karnataka, India. 

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​Public and Generational
Perception of Zoos

Kristy Chase-Tozer,
ZooTampa at Lowry Park 

Full Abstract

No Abstract

Public Perception of Elephant Sanctuaries: Space, Naturalness, and Values


​Catherine Doyle, M.S.,
Performing Animal Welfare Society 

Full Abstract

Many scholars consider us to be living in an era dubbed the Anthropocene, in which human activities are causing global environmental changes, habitat loss, and a sixth mass extinction. At the same time, there is increased concern for the welfare of wild and domesticated animals (George et al. 2014). Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that public attitudes in America are moving toward a more compassionate and caring view of wild animals, and away from mastery or domination (Manfredo et al. 2009). In line with this trend, sanctuaries have increasingly come to be seen by the public as the ideal for captive wild animals, as compared to more familiar forms of captivity. This is especially evident in the case of elephants. Sanctuaries have become almost revered for their perceived powers of rehabilitation and virtual rebirth (an elephant gets to be an elephant again), but are also subject to certain public expectations that may conflict with the realities of sanctuary life (Doyle 2017). Public concern about captive wildlife may be causing more people to gravitate toward elephant sanctuaries, based on the perception that greater space and naturalness are preferable for welfare. Just as important, sanctuaries may be perceived as being more in agreement with evolving public values and attitudes toward captive wildlife and their care. These changing public views have implications for zoos and other captive operations in the future.

Strategies and Techniques for Improved Social Management of Elephants

African Elephant Bull Introduction Strategies Utilized at the Reid Park Zoo

Cassandra Dodds & Curtis Lehman,
Reid Park Zoo
​San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Full Abstract

Reid Park Zoo (RPZ) managed 1.2 adult African elephants and 2.1 juvenile offspring when the herd’s adult bull (Mahbulane) was returned to the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park. Subsequently, the oldest male calf (Impunga), then age nine, went into musth and displaced his mother as the dominant elephant in the herd. For over a year, Impunga was the most dominant individual, went through multiple periods of musth, and demonstrated breeding interest towards his mother. Mahbulane returned to RPZ a year and a half later.  San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park and RPZ elephant teams together considered introduction strategies. The herd’s matriarch was entering pre-estrus and Impunga was entering musth. The bulls were howdied along a fence line where both postured and engaged forcefully until Impunga submitted.  Once calm, the entire herd was given access to the habitat together for approximately 45 minutes. Within 24 hours of this introduction, Impunga ceased exhibiting symptoms of musth, showed submissive behavior to Mahbulane, and behaved more cautiously and timidly than normal. Mahbulane went into heavy musth, showing stronger than his normal musth symptoms and ceased to engage Impunga as a rival. Following this initial success, the herd was moved through various differing social groupings for the days that followed. Managing these two bulls is a continuing process of assessment and vigilance.  Working together as a team, the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park and RPZ achieved this first successful step.
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Re-introduction of African Elephants


​Lucas Barmeyer,
Oakland Zoo

Full Abstract

We are a protected contact facility with a 1.3 African Elephant population. In the past, all of our elephants shared space in our nearly 7-acre exhibit. Due to safety precautions our male had to be separated from our females at all times. Through co-operative feeding and proximity training we were able to reestablish a relationship between our male and one of our females to the point where we felt comfortable reintroducing them into the same space. We started off the reintroductions in one of our lower yards out of the public eye and we had our male on a leg restraint and slowly giving him slack so that he could approach the female. The leg restraint was a precaution so in the case that the reintroduction went poorly we could stop him from moving closer to the female and potentially harming her. The initial introduction was extremely successful with positive reactions coming from both the male and female. After several introductions with our male having a leg restraint, we took the tether off so that he could have free range of the enclosure and unrestrained access to the female. Our introductions in the lower yard were so successful that we gave them access to the exhibit and do introductions there. They currently share space on exhibit once a week for about 4 hours but we are slowly increasing the duration of time spent together and hope to reintroduce one of our other females this coming summer. 

Social Integration of a Male Elephant:
The Process and What it Means
​for Future Generations

Michael Burns,
ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Full Abstract

No Abstract

Return to Natural Breeding


Steve LaFave,
Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Full Abstract

No Abstract

Progress and Evolution: Transitioning an Elephant Program

The Evolution of Zoo Atlanta’s
Elephant Program


Nate Elgart, 
Zoo Atlanta

Full Abstract

Zoo Atlanta has a long history of housing and managing elephants and has cared for African elephants since 1986. As the elephants grew and program evolved, managing them in their current facility has challenges. Despite these challenges, our elephants have thrived in protected contact and the elephant- care team has built a balanced husbandry and training program, including participation in research projects that enhance animal care. However, a two-stall linear barn design, the inability to bring in more elephants, and limited habitat space, increased the need for a new facility to meet the needs of our elephant program. With a gift of over 3 additional acres of adjacent parkland from the city, the Zoo embarked on a new African savanna exhibit featuring a new elephant exhibit: a Grand New View. The project highlights Zoo Atlanta’s commitment to elephants, the Species Survival Plan for the species, and the conservation of elephants in the wild. At year’s end, our two elephants will be moving in to their new 12,500 square-foot barn and multi-acre habitat. For the first time in decades, we will have the space and facilities to expand our herd, utilizing two adjoining habitats designed for bulls, cows, and young (up to 7 elephants). This new facility provides new opportunities for our elephants to thrive and opportunities to manage an integrated, social herd in a successful, ever-evolving, progressive program. 

​Transitioning Zoo Miami’s Elephant Program

Matt James,
Zoo Miami 

Full Abstract

No Abstract