Crate conditioning of bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) for veterinary and husbandry procedures at the Denver Zoological Gardens

Phillips, Megan M.; Grandin, Temple; Graffam, Wendy; Irlbeck, Nancy A.; Cambre, Richard C.

doi:10.1002/(sici)1098-2361(1998)17:1<25::aid-zoo3>3.0.co;2-c

Cited by 46 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…For instance, San Diego Zoo implemented a shaping protocol that allowed a diabetic drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus) to choose to receive insulin injections [43]. Denver Zoo trained nyala (Tragelaphus angasi) and bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) to willingly enter crates to receive blood draws or other veterinary procedures [44,45]. Bloomsmith, Stone, and Laule [46] successfully used reward-based methods to train large groups of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) to elect to move (i.e., "shift") from outdoor areas to an indoor portion of their enclosures.…”

Section: The Emergence Of Reward-based Zoo Husbandry Training Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, and Animal Welfare: A History of Behavior Analysis in Zoos

Fernández

Martin

2021

JZBG

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The modern zoo has been associated with two major behavioral welfare advances: (a) the use of training to increase voluntary husbandry care, and (b) the implementation of environmental enrichment to promote naturalistic behaviors. Both practices have their roots in behavior analysis, or the operant conditioning-centered, reward-based approach to behavioral psychology. Operant conditioning served as the foundation for the development of reinforcement-based training methods commonly used in zoos to make veterinary and husbandry procedures easier and safer for animals and their caregivers. Likewise, operant conditioning, with its focus on arranging environmental antecedents and consequences to change behavior, also provided a framework for successful environmental enrichment practices. In this paper, we outline the key individuals and events that shaped two of the cornerstones of the modern zoo: (1) the emergence of reward-based husbandry training practices, and (2) the engineering of environmental enrichment. In addition, we (3) suggest ways in which behavior analysis can continue to advance zoo welfare by (i) expanding the efficacy of environmental enrichment, (ii) using within-subject methodology, and (iii) improving animal-visitor interactions. Our goal is to provide a historical and contextual reference for future efforts to improve the well-being of zoo animals.

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Section: The Emergence Of Reward-based Zoo Husbandry Training Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, and Animal Welfare: A History of Behavior Analysis in Zoos

Fernández

Martin

2021

JZBG

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“…This training may have sufficiently minimized any potentially stressful effects of the transfer. Operant training has been shown to reduce stress during capture and transport for a multitude of species (e.g., Saguinus labiatus [ 28 ], Tragelaphus eurycerus [ 29 , 30 ], and Leptoptilos crumeniferus [ 31 ]) and positive reinforcement training conducted prior to potentially stressful situations has been correlated with positive outcomes such as less dramatic spikes in salivary cortisol in orangutans following medical procedures [ 32 ] and increased affiliative behaviors in ring-tailed lemurs ( Lemur catta ) [ 33 ] and vervet monkeys ( Chlorocebus aethiops ) [ 34 ] during periods of social isolation. However, a more involved study comparing fGM concentrations and behavior expression across various training regimes would be a great future project to better identify the most effective and impactful training methods to prepare orangutans for transfers and significant habitat changes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal Analysis of Variability in Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Concentrations in Three Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus and Pongo pygmaeus abelii) before, during, and after Transition from a Regular Habitat Environment to Temporary Housing in Indoor Holding Facilities

Fink

Mukobi

Gruber

et al. 2022

Animals

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Considerable research has been conducted on the effects of inter-institutional transfers, but far less consideration has been given to intra-institutional transfers and extended housing in off-habitat holding. On May 15, 2018, The Oregon Zoo’s orangutans (n = 3) were moved from the Red Ape Reserve (RAR) to the Veterinary Medical Center (VMC) indoor holding areas and remained there until December 22, 2020, resulting in over two years of housing in a facility not specifically designed for orangutans. This study aimed to quantify potential changes in fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGM) typically associated with increased adrenal activity as a result of transfers, as well as potential differences in fGM concentrations associated with housing in the two different types of locations. We collected fecal samples from all orangutans during three time periods: the initial housing at RAR (RAR1), the time spent at VMC holding (VMC), and the return to RAR (RAR2). Samples were analyzed using enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) analyses and compared using two-way ANOVA tests with Games–Howell post-hoc evaluations. The results of our analyses showed the following: (1) significant differences in fGM concentrations based on location in two orangutans, with the highest fGM concentration occurring in fecal samples collected at the VMC; and (2) a lack of significant fGM peaks following multiple intra-institutional transfers for all three orangutans. Though requiring further corroboration through future studies, we speculated that pre-transfer behavior training and intensive, continued care by familiar animal care staff may have helped to mitigate the stress responses commonly associated with transfers and major changes in housing. Furthermore, this study highlights the individualistic nature of the stress response, as illustrated by the substantial variation in fGM concentrations across different housing regimens in the three orangutans.

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“…Wherever PRT can be used to train hoofstock to be receptive and voluntary participants in these procedures, risks to animal health and well-being are minimized with no compromise to the human-animal relationship. For example, crate-trained antelope and bison who co-operate with restraint for veterinary and other procedures have cortisol levels comparable to baseline in resting cattle [140,141], highlighting crate-training as a handling method that is non-stressful for the animals and thus at the very least a neutral if not positive experience. In one case, a pygmy hippo (Choeropsis liberiensis) was trained to receive daily dental care, a procedure that would otherwise require regular and invasive sedation for more intrusive trimming of the tusks.…”

Section: Hoofstockmentioning

confidence: 99%

Handling and Training of Wild Animals: Evidence and Ethics-Based Approaches and Best Practices in the Modern Zoo

Brando¹,

Norman²

2023

Animals

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There is an ethical responsibility to provide all animals living in human care with optimal and positive well-being. As animals living in zoos and aquariums frequently interact with their human caregivers as part of their daily care routines, it is both relevant and essential to consider the impact of these interactions on animal well-being. Allowing animals to have choice and control in multiple areas of their lives, such as by providing opportunities for them to voluntarily participate in their own care through, for example, positive reinforcement training, is an essential component of good animal well-being programs. This review aims to describe evidence-based approaches, ethics, and best practices in the handling and training of the many taxa held in zoos and aquariums worldwide, drawing from work in related animal care fields such as laboratories, farms, rescue, and sanctuaries. The importance of ongoing animal well-being assessments is discussed, with a particular focus on the need for continued review and refinement of processes and procedures pertaining to animal training and handling specifically. Review, enquiry, assessment, evaluation, and refinement will aim to dynamically support positive well-being for all animals.

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Crate conditioning of bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) for veterinary and husbandry procedures at the Denver Zoological Gardens

Cited by 46 publications

References 5 publications

Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, and Animal Welfare: A History of Behavior Analysis in Zoos

Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, and Animal Welfare: A History of Behavior Analysis in Zoos

Longitudinal Analysis of Variability in Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Concentrations in Three Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus and Pongo pygmaeus abelii) before, during, and after Transition from a Regular Habitat Environment to Temporary Housing in Indoor Holding Facilities

Handling and Training of Wild Animals: Evidence and Ethics-Based Approaches and Best Practices in the Modern Zoo

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