Animal Management and Training Abstracts
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Behavior Modification to Alleviate Stereotypic Behavior in a Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)
Alex Collier, Georgia Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Georgia Aquarium houses four whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), two males and two females, in the Ocean Voyager exhibit. In 2010, one of the males known as Yushan, developed a stereotypic swim pattern that prevented him from utilizing the entire exhibit. Stereotypic behaviors, such as Yushan's, can develop in response to environmental stressors and often include unvarying, repetitive patterns with no obvious goal or function. Yushan's stereotypy has resulted in a virtually complete right-turning swim pattern, in circles of varying diameter, interrupted only to participate in regularly scheduled daily feedings. While the cause of Yushan's change in behavior is unknown, it became evident that the swim pattern was detrimental to his physical appearance and potentially his long-term health. Indicators such as muscle atrophy and dorsal fin curvature developed over a relatively short time period. The Aquarium team developed a training plan to address this undesirable behavior including changes in feeding approach, additional feedings for enrichment, and physical therapy. As a result of this training, Yushan now utilizes a greater portion of the Ocean Voyager exhibit, the diameter of his circles has increased, and his body condition appears improved. Additionally, and as a result of Yushan's underwater feeding sessions, we have obtained updated measurements and blood samples while under stimulus control. The Aquarium team continues to work with Yushan to address his current condition, with the goal of extinguishing the stereotypy and encourage a swimming behavior that will promote achieving adult size and long-term display residency. |
"Brushing" Up on Octopus Enrichment Kristen Simmons, Oregon Sea Grant - Aquatic Animal Health Program – Hatfield Marine Science Center Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
In 2012, husbandry staff at the Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) Visitor Center in Newport, Oregon identified a need for a new enrichment protocol for a Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini). This coincided with a need for improved visitor engagement with the display octopus. Husbandry staff decided to venture away from conventional methods of enrichment. Instead, they constructed a PVC frame device to hold a canvas with brushes above water attached to a stylus-toy device in the water allowing the octopus to "paint" by manipulating and retrieving food from a Mr. Potato Head toy. From an animal enrichment perspective, the project was a success. The octopus remained engaged with the stylus-toy device for prolonged periods compared to similar enrichment sessions without the painting apparatus. The use of an elastic pulley system to smooth the movement of the stylus also provided passive resistance, affording some degree of physical exercise and triggering the octopus's prey drive. From a visitor engagement standpoint, the project was also a success. However, husbandry staff eventually elected to hold the painting sessions during closed hours due to the difficulty of managing crowds around the tank and the tendency of the octopus to become distracted. Artistic collaborations with HMSC researchers/artists added depth and definition to the abstract paintings, and provided a link for the public to the broader research community at HMSC. The "painting octopus" generated industry recognition, sparked public interest in the animal's behavior and intelligence, and provided a signature outreach product for HMSC's visitor center. |
Acquisition and Operant Conditioning of the Lesser Devil Ray Mollie Getson, Georgia Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Transportation and husbandry of Mobula sp., has shown to be a difficult endeavor. Georgia Aquarium has had success with a particularly resilient Lesser devil ray (Mobula hypostoma) acquired in May of 2009. One of the challenges faced was the establishment of feeding behavior. The aquarist team attempted various combinations of food items, delivery devices and start-of-session cues. After feeding behavior was observed, operant conditioning techniques were developed and utilized to provide the foundation for the ray's addition to the Aquarium's Ocean Voyager exhibit. Environmental changes included exhibit size and shape, and tank-mate composition. These variations caused a fluctuation in feeding behavior, health and body condition. Medical treatments were necessary at times, so it was important to establish a plan that would minimize the ray's stress while allowing for tube feedings, supplement administration, wound care, and general examinations. Building upon success and experiences with this particular animal led to acquisition of six additional Mobula sp. in August of 2012. |
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Management of Arapaima gigas
with Operant Conditioning Rich Terrell, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) Full Abstract
Arapaima gigas is the longest freshwater fish species in the world. This fact makes them popular exhibit animals in zoos and aquariums. But the power, large size and flighty nature of this species makes them difficult to handle. The Pittsburgh Zoo's PPG Aquarium began training with our large arapaima in 2010 as a means of ensuring that it received the proper diet. Since then the training program has expanded to include more behaviors and loftier goals. The large arapaima has been desensitized to tactile, target-trained and trained to transfer. We have highlighted the training in regularly-scheduled demonstrations for our visitors during the busy season. And we are working toward stretcher training with this flighty species. We have also added two younger specimens to the collection and have achieved progress in their training over the past year. This presentation will discuss the challenges and solutions for training. Videos and photos will show the various behaviors we have trained with our arapaimas. |