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aquaristlifeforme:

nasterspem:

avoidingclaws-mostly:

aquaristlifeforme:

runningfromomelas:

why-animals-do-the-thing:

aquaristlifeforme:

Me and Ryer working on a “dive” behavior with the long target pole.

This is a good example of how the behaviors people often like to malign as ‘forced tricks’ are entirely voluntary. Look how eagerly Ryer waits for that cue and then dives for the target. 

Cool thing I learned:

A lot of these “tricks” are actually to help provide quality care for animals in the least stressful way possible

For example, trainers at the Minnesota Zoo train bears to touch their noses to batons (much like the otter is doing in the video) so that zookeepers can examine the bears without handling them. Getting bears to turn their heads, stand on their hind legs, or turn around helps zookeepers get a good look at how the bears look and move (which is important to monitor their health).

Baton training also provides the most amount of safety to trainers as possible, and bears willfully play and enjoy the activities and the treats that come with them.

Baton training also helps bears get vaccinated. Without being distracted by an activity and willfully exposing their sides to the trainers, bears would have to be tranquilized to receive their immunizations. That puts a lot of stress on the bear’s body and can be a traumatic experience.

When bears are distracted and happy, zookeepers can give them a quick shot and the bear hardly notices!

So yeah training can be for purposes that benefit the animals, not just for entertainment. But training could also be an enrichment activity that offers mental stimulation.

This is such a great explanation of all the husbandry training that we do. Some examples of husbandry behaviors in disguise that we have:

Dive: it gives the otters exercise, and it could be used for future research such as breath holding time, how swimming effects heart rate, etc so that we can keep learning more about these animals and their physiology.

Retrieve or Fetch: looks like just fun, but it can actually be used for animal safety. If a foreign object gets into the exhibit we can ask them to retrieve it so we can safely remove it.

Full Body Tactiles (touching them full handed on their back): looks like we are just petting the otter and showing off how much trust we have (which like yes kinda but keep listening), but actually it allows us to check body condition and feel for any lumps or swelling on their back. It can be great early detection for tumors, spinal problems, and hidden scabs.

I work at a zoo and the keepers are incredible with training. It is so so useful. By being able to do more veterinary-related conscious, the less stressful it is for the animal. 

Once, it was before i started but, they even managed to get a full blood sample from the tail of a conscious tiger – purely by using his training. Its not for fun or show, its genuinely makes it easier and less stressful for everyone/every animal involved. 

It’s also for the animals’ fun, no? Like it would be terrible for us to keep these animals without seeing to their mental health and happiness. Learning things like this is a chance for them to exercise their cleverness in determining what the keeper is trying to  teach them, and practicing them just looks like it’s fun for that otter.

🙌 TOTALLY. Training is also a form of enrichment. Getting animals to problem solve and use their brains is fun for them and incredibly stimulating. Sometimes we train them to do simple useless things just because having them learn new things is also good for them.