Welfare Implications of Zoo Animal Training

Melfi, Vicky; Ward, Samantha

doi:10.1002/9781118968543.ch11

Cited by 14 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Our survey results also revealed that although the application of training to promote positive animal welfare through voluntary participation is in line with best practices, as outlined in AZA guidelines and other nonhuman primate training programs [ 4 , 5 , 11 ], most of the organizations (70%) did not monitor the impact of training on the well-being of these species. It is true that a positive indicator of staff perception of training programs with strepsirrhine species is that these programs contribute to the optimal care of the species; however, as Melfi and Ward stated [ 81 ], the welfare impact of training has to be based on the empirical monitoring of its application. As an extension of the challenge of analyzing training records, the creation of assessment tools is an area of rapid expansion in the zoological community, as we have stated previously with personality.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strepsirrhine Primate Training Programs in North American Institutions: Status and Implications for Future Welfare Assessment

Fernández-Lázaro

Dye

Eddie³

et al. 2021

Animals

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Many articles have shown the benefits of operant conditioning training techniques in the care and welfare of several species of nonhuman primates; however, the information regarding their use in strepsirrhine species is scarce. We assessed the development and current status of training programs with these species in North American institutions. An online survey was distributed through members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums using a multiple-choice format. We collected information related to training program details; animals, behaviors, and techniques; the evaluation process; and the impact of training. Seventy-one organizations completed the survey, with the results showing that 97% of respondents trained their strepsirrhines with the main objective of husbandry and veterinary care (around 80%). Sixty-eight percent of organizations did not report any risk in training these species. The benefits reported include increases in positive human–animal interactions (97%), psychological well-being (88%), and staff awareness of animal behaviors (90%). However, a multi-dimensional approach to measure the efficacy of training could provide a deeper understanding of its impact on the welfare of strepsirrhine primates. We hope that the data offered in this survey can help in this future assessment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strepsirrhine Primate Training Programs in North American Institutions: Status and Implications for Future Welfare Assessment

Fernández-Lázaro

Dye

Eddie³

et al. 2021

Animals

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“…Learning new skills and solving problems is enriching to captive animals [4] and training confers benefits to both animals and staff [118][119][120]. Fundamentally, training allows people to have a dialogue with animals.…”

Section: Trainingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given the benefits that training confers, how can we facilitate the training process further via the application of social learning? As many excellent reviews on learning theory and animal training have been published (e.g., [17,123,124]), the aim of this next section is not to provide a training 'how to' but rather an overview of how social information might be leveraged to aid training (see also [5]).…”

Section: Trainingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leveraging Social Learning to Enhance Captive Animal Care and Welfare

Hopper

2021

JZBG

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From ants to zebras, animals are influenced by the behavior of others. At the simplest level, social support can reduce neophobia, increasing animals’ exploration of novel spaces, foods, and other environmental stimuli. Animals can also learn new skills more quickly and more readily after observing others perform them. How then can we apply animals’ proclivity to socially learn to enhance their care and welfare in captive settings? Here, I review the ways in which animals (selectively) use social information, and propose tactics for leveraging that to refine the behavioral management of captive animals: to enhance socialization techniques, enrichment strategies, and training outcomes. It is also important to consider, however, that social learning does not always promote the uniform expression of new behaviors. There are differences in animals’ likelihood to seek out or use socially provided information, driven by characteristics such as species, rank, age, and personality. Additionally, social learning can result in inexact transmission or the transmission of undesirable behaviors. Thus, understanding when, how, and why animals use social information is key to developing effective strategies to improve how we care for animals across settings and, ultimately, enhance captive animal welfare.

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“…Training has a multitude of benefits and is a staple component of many primate management programmes. Training provides mental stimulation and thus is a form of enrichment ( Melfi, Dorey & Ward, 2020 ), and animals can voluntarily participate in common management procedures, such as veterinary examinations, without the need for more invasive methods of restraint ( Reamer et al, 2014 ). However, while some animals are eager to participate and learn quickly, others can struggle to pick up the same tasks or are more reluctant to engage in training ( Melfi, Dorey & Ward, 2020 ).…”

Section: Applications To Primate Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential applications of personality assessments to the management of non-human primates: a review of 10 years of study

Norman

Rowden

Cowlishaw

2021

PeerJ

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Studies of primate personality have become increasingly common over the past three decades. Recently, studies have begun to focus on the health, welfare and conservation implications of personality, and the potential applications of incorporating quantitative personality assessments into animal management programmes. However, this literature is dispersed across a multitude of settings and scientific disciplines. We conducted a review of nonhuman primate personality studies relevant to these issues published since 2010, following on from an earlier review. The databases ScienceDirect, PubMed and Web of Science were used to identify relevant articles. After eliminating irrelevant or duplicate papers, 69 studies were selected. Our review reveals that, while primate personality research is carried out on a range of species, there is strong taxonomic bias. While 28 species appeared within the reviewed literature, 52% of studies were carried out on just five species. Further, the most common research focus (43%) was validating new assessment methods or describing personality in different species, rather than exploring the links between personality and animal welfare using existing validated methods. However, among the remaining studies that did explore the role of animal personality in husbandry, health, and welfare, we identified progression towards integrating personality data into various aspects of animal management. Evidence suggests the assessment of personality may benefit social group management, enrichment practices, training protocols, health and welfare monitoring, and conservation planning for endangered species. We argue that further research which develops our understanding of primate personality and its influence in these areas will provide a valuable tool to inform animal management practices.

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Welfare Implications of Zoo Animal Training

Cited by 14 publications

References 61 publications

Strepsirrhine Primate Training Programs in North American Institutions: Status and Implications for Future Welfare Assessment

Strepsirrhine Primate Training Programs in North American Institutions: Status and Implications for Future Welfare Assessment

Leveraging Social Learning to Enhance Captive Animal Care and Welfare

Potential applications of personality assessments to the management of non-human primates: a review of 10 years of study

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