Proceedings
of the
39
th annual
chieF editor Heather Keenan Miami Seaquarium
conFerence
of the
International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association 18 – 23 September 2011 miami, Florida
Managing editor Patrick Berry Gulfarium
editorial director Mike Osborn Mystic Aquarium
2011 board oF directorS President
President-elect
Past-President
First Vice President
second Vice President
third Vice President
treasurer
secretary
director-at-large
Michael Osborn Mystic Aquarium
Bill Wolden Dolphin Quest, Inc.
Patty Schilling New England Aquarium
Shelley Wood Dolphin Discovery
Grant Abel Ocean Park Hong Kong
Dr. Laura Yeates National Marine Mammal Foundation
Dave Roberts SeaWorld San Diego
Michele Sousa Aquarium of the Pacific
Chris Davis A to Z Animal Management
President’s Address
1st Vice President’s Address
W
elcome to Miami, Florida for IMATA’s 39th annual conference, home of Miami Seaquarium (host facility), Miami Dolphins (I am a fan and will be sporting the colors!), Miami Vice (who will be sporting old school style?), Miami Ink (who is going to wake up with a new tattoo?), and South Beach Tow (watch where you leave your car if your payments are not up-to-date). The area has Native American culture that dates back over a thousand years, but the metropolis we all know today, Miami, was incorporated as a city in 1896, with a population of just over 300 people. Looking at Miami in 1896, gives a good perspective of how fast things change. 1896:
Today:
Change is a funny thing, often it is associated with growth, and other times uncertainty to what the future will bring. This couldn’t be more true today with the changing culture, technology, economics, and environmental impacts to climate. One thing is certain, change will happen, and how we choose to live, to some degree, will affect the outcome. IMATA has certainly changed since adopting the organizations first constitution in 1973. Early milestones include: 1986, the first conference held outside the US, in Vancouver, Canada, 1987, the first conference with over 200 attendees (San Antonio, Texas) -fun fact, in 1987, Robert Rose, Curator of Miami Seaquarium, was a Trainer at SeaWorld, San Antonio, and in 1988, membership reached the 500 mark. Through the years IMATA has continued to advance and grow to over 1,500 members. First Vice President Bill Wolden has spent years entertaining us with his creativity as chair of the Honors and Awards Committee editing opening videos and more. This year he is planning to blow the roof off Miami - in the middle of the sheer madness of preparing for a conference, he committed himself to editing opening videos made exclusively for each and every day of the conference. I challenge each attendee to find your own unique way to express your appreciation to Bill. The best way that I can think of is to embrace the daily theme and engage in the activities with enthusiastic, positive, energy. Oh, and since Bill used to live in Hawaii, it is safe to say “give him a big aloha hug”! And while you’re at it be sure to give a hug to all who work at this year’s host facility, Miami Seaquarium. A good time for this will be Tuesday afternoon and evening while engaging with the staff and animals at the facility. The conference and sponsorship committees have worked hard with Bill Wolden to pull off getting you more for your money while reducing registration costs. It is not easy this day and age to be enjoying the amenities of a five star resort right on South Beach, yet they have made it possible by orchestrating a team of people to raise the bar. Way to go to Erin Clark and Chris Scullion! And a big thank you to all the IMATA committee chairs and members that have volunteered their time to help prepare for this conference. This year’s sponsors have given at an all time high. A BIG THANK YOU to them! Please take time to visit the vendor hall and get to know some of our wonderful sponsors, their support allows for the continued growth of IMATA while maintaining affordable benefits through their products for trainers around the world. I love this organization for its member’s integrity, positive approach to life, and the care given for all living things. Please take all the ingredients from the conference recipe (trainers from around the world sharing past and present information) and swirl them into the planned events to create magic! Make the best of every moment, DANCE, LOVE, LAUGH, TRAIN and SING! The future will bring about change, what will your role be? My hope and dream is that each of you help fuel the passion and momentum of IMATA - building better trainers for tomorrow. Sincerely,
“
”
W
elcome to Miami and welcome to the 39th International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association Conference, hosted by Miami Seaquarium! We have been working for three years to put this conference together for you, and it’s finally here! This year’s conference can be described in five simple words: TRAIN! LAUGH! LOVE! SING! DANCE! You will notice these five themes popping up throughout the week in our opening videos, our raffles, and other events, and I’m sure we can all agree that a week of your life filled with training, laughing, loving, singing, and dancing is a week of your life well spent. One of our primary goals for this year’s conference was to lower conference registration rates, and we successfully did so with the help of our facility sponsors. These eight facilities graciously donated $2,500 cash with the simple goal of helping you pay less for your registration: Miami Seaquarium, Dolphin Connection, Georgia Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, Amneville Zoo, Ocean Park, SeaWorld, and Dolphin Quest. Please take the time to thank representatives from these facilities for their support! In addition, we were supported by numerous other sponsors that helped us put together a conference that we’re sure you’ll never forget, so we’d like to thank each one of them for their continued support and assistance. My first conference was 20 years ago in 1991 at Marine World Africa USA and it was also the first time I met my future and current employer – Dolphin Quest. I went to that conference while I was a student at Moorpark College’s Exotic Animal Training and Management Program, and was there to take advantage of everything IMATA had to offer but primarily I went there to get a job in the field. I went to every paper, I went to every event, I went up to strangers that I didn’t know and introduced myself, and then after the conference I sent follow up letters thanking everyone I met. That IMATA conference truly helped shape my career and my life, and I have always been grateful to IMATA and its members for embracing me from day one. Since then I’ve been to over 15 conferences, and it thrills me each year to see young, bright-eyed, and eager conference attendees attending their first conference and we want to make sure they feel welcomed, so let’s all do our part to meet someone new this year and welcome them to the IMATA family. I believe that part of your life’s journey should include giving back to your community, and this year’s conference is my gift back to all of you. IMATA continues to provide me with so many opportunities, life experiences, and friendships, so I wanted to make sure that we created a conference that is not only worth your money and time, but also provides each of you with the same opportunities that I’ve received over the past 20 years. With the help of the IMATA board members, committee chairs, volunteers, and sponsors, I believe we have, and we know that you are going to love it. So get ready to have a great time this week, and get ready to TRAIN with patience, LAUGH with friends, LOVE each other, SING out loud, and DANCE like nobody’s watching!
schedule of eVents SundaY – 18 September 2011
7:00 – 10:00
icebreaKer – miami StYle!
Americana Lawn Come and enjoy the warm Miami nights at this outside Icebreaker event while enjoying great food, listening to fun music, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones! This is the perfect event to kick off your week, so throw on your flip flops and get ready have some fun!
imata binGo!
To help you break the ice, we have created a fun and exciting Icebreaker Game called “IMATA BINGO!” Everyone will be given a BINGO card where each square is filled with a type of marine animal. Your task is to go up and meet people that have worked with these animals so that they can write their name and facility onto your card. Once your card has filled the spots that match the design on the back of your BINGO card then you can turn your card in for a prize and you will be automatically entered in the Grand Prize drawings held at the end of the event – you must be present to win!
mondaY – 19 September 2011
8:00 – 9:00
conFerence reGiStration
9:00 – 9:05
openinG Video - DANCE!
9:05 – 10:00
imata’S 39tH annual conFerence openinG ceremonY conFerence WelcoMe – Bill Wolden, IMATA 1st Vice President oPening reMarKs – Michael Osborn, IMATA President host Facility WelcoMing reMarKs – Robert Rose, Curator, Miami Seaquarium “iMata giVes BacK” – Debi Colbert, Conservation and Research Committee Chair
Each year our international organization has strongly encouraged an “IMATA Gives Back” philosophy and asks Aquariums and Zoos to donate items that are then raffled or auctioned off at the Annual IMATA Conference. Last year the proceeds raised from these events were dedicated to seeding the budgets for IMATA’s new Research Grant and Conservation Fund. These programs were established to provide financial support for research projects and third-party non-profit organization conservation efforts which address IMATA’s mission: To advance the humane care and handling of marine animals by fostering communication between professionals that serve marine animal science through training, public display, research, husbandry, conservation, and education. The 2011 IMATA Research Grant and Conservation Fund recipients will be announced and recognized during the conference opening ceremony and they will be presented with their monetary donations on behalf of IMATA. This year all proceeds from the IMATA raffle and auctions, as well as half of the proceeds raised from the sale of Wyland’s artwork, will be dedicated to these worth-while programs. Thank you for your continued support!
at Night!
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iMata essay contest Winner Presentation
For the first time ever, IMATA held an on-line Essay Contest on the IMATA conference website asking preregistered conference participants: “What does IMATA mean to you?” and “How has IMATA changed your life and/or the lives of your animals?” A winner has been selected and will read their essay live on stage and will receive their prize of a free conference registration.
Proceedings 2011
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schedule of eVents mondaY – 19 September 2011
10:00 – 11:00
11:30 – 12:30
KeYnote SpeaKer: WYland Acclaimed marine life artist Wyland has earned the distinction as one of America’s most unique creative influences and a leading advocate for marine resource conservation. An accomplished painter, sculptor, underwater explorer, photographer, filmmaker, and educator, he has traveled the farthest reaches of the globe for more than thirty years, capturing the raw power and beauty of the aquatic universe.
Formal preSentationS
Moderated by: Jay Sweeney, Dolphin Quest
the unsinKaBle BisMarcK: the challenges and BeneFits oF oBtaining a Physically challenged caliFornia sea lion Jessica Jenkins Denver Zoo
He is perhaps best known for his monumental Whaling Wall mural project — an epic series of one hundred life-size marine life murals that spans fourteen countries on four continents and is viewed by an estimated 1 billion people every year. His 100th and final Whaling Wall, Hands Across the Oceans, a 24,000-square-foot, half-mile-long series of canvas murals with student artists from 110 countries, was displayed in October 2008 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and honored by the National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, White House Council on Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Department of the Interior.
it tooK a Village to raise this child! the story oF gyPsi, a little dolPhin With a Big eating disorder
As President and Founder of the non-profit Wyland Foundation, in partnership with the United States Forest Service and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Wyland is actively engaged in teaching millions of students around the world to become caring, informed stewards of our ocean, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and wetlands. The artist’s efforts for conservation awareness and action have been recognized by the United Nations, Sierra Club, Rotary International, the Underwater Academy of Arts and Sciences, where he is listed among its Diving Hall of Fame, and recently he was inducted into the International Diving Hall of Fame. Numerous conservation groups and renowned scientists have praised his art and mission conservation efforts.
Geraldine Lacave Marine Mammal Veterinary Services
Wyland has been a long-time supporter of IMATA and we are honored to have him as this year’s Key Note Speaker. Come listen to Wyland talk about his work, his foundation, and his passion for the arts as he PAINTS LIVE ON STAGE! Each art piece he paints here will be auctioned off during the Live Art Auction on Thursday night, 22 September 2011, where half of the proceeds will be donated to his non-profit foundation.
Photo Courte
sy of Wyland
Linda Erb & Kelly Jayne Rodruiguez Dolphin Research Center
identiFication oF a c2 Fracture and rachis deViation through ct scan in a caliFornia sea lion (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS)
12:30 – 2:00
luncH breaK
1:00 – 2:00
Vip luncH cHat
guests: iMata Board MeMBers and coMMittee chairs
Americana 4 – Exhibitor Hall Bring your own lunch and enjoy an informal setting to sit down with our IMATA Board Members and Committee Chairs to talk about IMATA, how to get involved, ideas for improvements, and anything else you’d like to talk about. Everyone is welcome but seating is limited!
2:00 – 2:15
“imata GiVeS bacK” raFFle – Must be present to win!
2:15 – 3:15
Formal preSentationS
Moderated by: Erica Stuebing, Georgia Aquarium
hand raising and conditioning oF a neonate Beluga Whale William Winhall SeaWorld San Diego
When should your seal or sea lion haVe cataract surgery?
Courtesy of Wyland
Carmen Colitz Diplomate American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
let sea lions Be see lions! analysis oF BehaVior in caliFornia sea lions BeFore and aFter cataract reMoVal surgery
11:00 – 11:30
Chelsea Grubb Kansas City Zoo
coFFee breaK WitH eXHibitorS
3:15 – 3:45
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coFFee breaK WitH eXHibitorS
Proceedings 2011
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schedule of eVents mondaY – 19 September 2011
3:45 – 4:45
WorKSHop #1 – marine mammal SHoW traininG
Marine mammal shows are a means to fascinate, inspire, educate, and wow audience members of all ages in the hopes of solidifying a connection between humans and animals. To grab the attention of the audience, these shows will often include dynamic behaviors that showcase the animals’ athletic ability and intelligence, but training these behaviors can be an overwhelming task. Join our panel of experts who have all trained multiple show behaviors with marine mammals as they take you through a step by step process on how they train, challenges they encounter, and how they turned their shows into amazing experiences that their audiences will never forget!
Michael hunt, Georgia Aquarium
As Director of Animal Training, Michael Hunt leads the animal training operations at both Georgia Aquarium’s Dolphin Tales Theatre and Marineland Dolphin Adventure in St. Augustine, FL. Michael’s zoological career spans nearly 20 years and includes experience with dolphins, whales, seals and sea lions with a variety of zoological facilities including Miami Seaquarium, Dolphin Research Center, Dolphin Quest Bermuda, Dolphin Connection and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.
Kelly Flaherty clarK, SeaWorld Orlando
Kelly Flaherty Clark is the Director of Animal Training for SeaWorld Orlando. Her responsibilities include overseeing the health, behavior modification, training, and enrichment for all of the animals at SeaWorld. She has multifaceted training and performing experience with animals ranging in size from otters and birds to killer whales. While Blue Horizons and One Ocean are her most recent show projects; Kelly has premiered more than 20 productions at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University, has been with SeaWorld for more than 24 years, and is a published recipient of several animal training and husbandry awards.
Pernilla Mosesson, Kolmarden Pernilla Mosesson’s position as Curator of Marine Mammals covers all operations at Kolmarden including staff, animals, training, interaction programs, guided tours, educational presentations, and show production. Pernilla’s 20-plus year career includes experience with dolphins, harbor seals, grey seals, South African fur seals, and Humboldt penguins.
sarah graFF, Miami Seaquarium
Sarah Graff is Miami Seaquarium’s Manager of Animal Training and oversees four separate show venues that house 57 individual marine mammals, including: seals, sea lions, dolphins, and a killer whale. Sarah has been with Miami Seaquarium since 1994 and has a passion for training behaviors for shows and complex water work.
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Proceedings 2011
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schedule of eVents mondaY – 19 September 2011
4:45 – 5:30
WorKSHop #2 – doG beHaVioral and aGilitY traininG
The methods and techniques used to train marine mammals can be utilized with most other animal species, including dogs. Many animal trainers have pets of their own, including dogs, cats, birds, and others, but ironically they are often the worst trained animals! Perhaps it’s because when trainers get home the last thing they want to do is to train. If this is the case, then this workshop is just for you! We have invited Joel Beckman of Beckman’s Dog Training to showcase the methods he uses to train dogs on obedience, problem solving, aggression, and agility based upon his past experience as a killer whale trainer at SeaWorld. In this workshop, Joel will work with live dogs on stage with the hope of inspiring people to improve their training skills at home with their own pets.
tueSdaY – 20 September 2011
8:00 – 9:00
reGiStration
9:00 – 9:05
openinG Video -
9:05 – 9:15
announcementS
9:15 – 10:45
Formal preSentationS
Joel BecKMan
Love!
Moderated by: Deborah Prevratil, Texas State Aquarium
earthQuaKe, tsunaMi disaster and recoVery oF MatsushiMa aQuariuM
Joel Beckman’s passion for animals led him to the Moorpark College Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) program where he started to learn the basics of operant conditioning, positive reinforcement and training. After graduating, Joel continued onto SeaWorld Orlando and San Diego as a killer whale trainer where he continued to learn, apply, and strengthen his animal training skills. Based on over 20 years of experience, in 2007 Joel and his wife Liz (also a former SeaWorld trainer) started Beckman’s Dog Training. They are now one of the most successful dog training companies in Southern California where Joel claims you can have a well behaved, confident and social dog that interacts appropriately with the whole family without domination or punishment.
Satoru Yamamoto Representing Matsushima Aquarium
the PositiVe results in Pre-Planning dolPhin Births and use oF a False BottoM during deliVery Terri Corbett Dolphin Cay Atlantis
Patagonian sea lion (OTARIA FLAVESCENS) seMen collection By Manual stiMulation on a duMMy Mount Angel Galicia Navarro & Benjamin Schulz Conny-Land Ag
taKing control oF PaciFic Walrus (ODOBENUS ROSMARUS DIVERGENS) reProduction: achieVing a Pregnancy in a 16-year-old Walrus utiliZing reProductiVe technology and an intensiVe training PrograM Holley Muraco & Leah Coombs Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
7:00 – 10:00
career niGHt #1 - interVieW SKillS WorKSHop
Americana 3 Moderated by: Shelley Wood, ABC Animal Training and Traci Belting, Seattle Aquarium Come join our panel of facility managers as they offer helpful suggestions to improve your interview skills. They will review helpful tips on the entire interview process including how to prepare, how to conduct a successful interview, and how to follow up afterwards. Practice interviews will also be conducted with audience participation. Now is your chance to get hands on experience to help you get your dream job! No reservations required and all are welcome to attend.
10:45 – 11:15
coFFee breaK in eXHibitor Hall
11:15 – 11:30
“imata GiVeS bacK” raFFle – Must be present to win!
reSume reVieW tableS
Americana 4 – Exhibitor Hall Moderated by: Michelle Campbell, Dolphin Quest We will have a room filled with professionals in the field to help you revise your resume one-on-one. Set in 15 minute blocks, these professionals will offer you candid feedback on how to improve your resume along with career advice prior to attending the Job Fair on Wednesday night to help you get the job you want! Prior reservations required.
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Proceedings 2011
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schedule of eVents tueSdaY – 20 September 2011
11:30 – 12:30
WedneSdaY – 21 September tember 2011
8:00 – 9:00
reGiStration
9:00 – 9:05
openinG Video -
Stephen McCulloch Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
9:05 – 9:15
announcementS
oF Manatees and Men: caPtiVe research saVing endangered sPecies
9:15 – 10:30
Formal preSentationS
Formal preSentationS
Moderated by: Scott Hjerling, Coral World Ocean Park
resPonse to entangled Bottlenose dolPhins (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) Within the southeastern united states region
Edmund Gerstein Florida Atlantic University
Shelley Ballmann & Rita Stacey Vondra Oceans of Fun & Chicago Zoological Society
luncH breaK
1:00 – 2:00
buSeS to miami SeaQuarium
2:00 – 6:00
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Kayla Bergman & Melissa Weierick Dolphins Plus, Inc.
BehaVioral training oF aFrican Penguins (SPHENISCUS DEMERSUS) For interVerteBral PleXus Blood collection Tracy Camp Mystic Aquarium
Buses will depart from the Palm Court area of the Loews Miami Beach Hotel Don’t forget - you must be wearing your conference name tag!
training signal detection tasKs For deterMining sensory thresholds in Marine MaMMals Michelle Hanenburg Long Marine Laboratory
miami SeaQuarium Site ViSit
You have full access to the entire park! There will be behind the scenes tours, husbandry and training demos, opportunities to take photos with animals, and the gift shops will be open! In addition, there will be a limited number of dolphin encounters available for purchase at a special IMATA price for those interested. Sign-ups will be available during registration at the Event Sign Up table.
5:30 – 6:30
cocKtailS at dolpHin Harbor
6:30 – 7:00
Killer WHale and dolpHin SHoW
7:00 – 9:30
cocKtailS and HorS d’oeuVreS at SunSet coVe
8:00 – 9:30
buSeS bacK to Hotel
Meet at Dolphin Harbor no later than 6pm, as the park will be closing for the regular guests
Moderated by: Dwayne Biggs, Pittsburg Zoo
a noVel aPProach to training PhleBotoMy Procedures in atlantic Bottlenose dolPhins (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) to treat iron storage disease
collaBoration and critical care – harley’s story
12:30 – 1:00
LAUGH!
training a Bottlenose dolPhin For direct MeasureMents oF suBJectiVe loudness Linda Green SAIC & Us Navy Marine Mammal Program
10:30 – 11:00
coFFee breaK in eXHibitor Hall
11:00 – 11:15
“imata GiVeS bacK” raFFle – Must be present to win!
Proceedings 2011
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schedule of eVents WedneSdaY – 21 September 2011
11:15 – 12:30
panel diScuSSion maKinG tHe Grade: tHe animal trainerS role in meSSaGinG and education Moderated by: Dave Roberts, SeaWorld San Diego
Animal trainers know that our education programs and presentations can increase conservation-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. The messages, visuals, entertainment and educational content of our shows have in many ways become more sophisticated. We strive to be all things to our audiences - fun, exciting, and even inspirational.
dr. geraldine lacaVe
Dr. Geraldine Lacave graduated in 1990 from the veterinary faculty of the Liege University in Belgium where she obtained first prize for her thesis on marine mammals’ anesthesia, particularly in pinnipeds. During her studies, she volunteered her free time at the Bruges Dolphinarium in Belgium where she also started her marine mammal career.
However, with all these goals, are we getting our point across? This is a hefty responsibility to shoulder. Do you have the latest facts? Are you up on the latest controversies? Does every show have to have a message? Or is seeing and learning to love the animals enough? Come join our experts for a panel discussion that promises to be fun and, well, educational. The panel includes Billy Hurley, Geraldine Lacave, Julie Scardina, and Diane Sweeney.
She has devoted her career to the promotion of medical training in marine mammals, and worked very closely with trainers in the development of good husbandry procedures for the animals under human care. She is a veterinary consultant worldwide since 1994 and gives regular workshops on several subjects. She has been a member of EAAM, IMATA and IAAAM for over 20 years. Geraldine is also has served as the President of EAAM, Vice-President of IMATA and presented numerous papers during conferences. Aside of training, her main interests are ultrasound, anesthesia and Erysipelas vaccination in dolphins. She is also the founder of the Marine Mammal Medical Workshops.
Julie scardina
Julie serves as Animal Ambassador and Corporate Curator responsible for Animal Training and Animal Ambassador Programs for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Julie shares her knowledge, animal training expertise, and the parks’ commitment to wildlife education and conservation with employ employees, audiences ranging from children in classrooms to trade and corporate conferences, and millions of viewers on national television. Besides being a professional member of AZA, Julie has held many positions during her long career as a trainer, including President of IMATA. Julie serves on the board of the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. In this role she often has the opportunity to travel to conservation projects around the world meeting the scientists and other dedicated people making a difference. Julie is also actively involved in the mentoring of up and coming leaders in conservation on the board of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program and serves on the National Council of the World Wildlife Fund.
dr. diane sWeeney
Diane Sweeney has been a natural science educator for many years, serving as the Vice President of Education for Dolphin Quest from 1988-2003, and as Advisor to the Board from 2004-2011. She has consulted to zoos and aquariums in the U.S. and Europe, and worked as a classroom teacher in public schools in three states. She is very active in the professional marine education community and was the chair or co-chair of the education committee of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums for 16 years from 1992-2008, and has served on the boards of the National Marine Educators’ Association and the Southwest Marine/Aquatic Educators’ Association. Diane holds a doctorate in education from the University of California, San Diego. Her research investigated adult learning in human-dolphin interactions at three zoological facilities in the U.S. This research has helped to establish some baseline data on marine mammal education in zoos, aquariums, and marine parks. While disseminating the findings of this research, she is currently working on a project of nature education for young children, and continuing to consult on several zoological projects.
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Billy hurley
As Chief Zoological Officer and Senior Vice President of Zoological Operations, Billy Hurley oversees the management of all animal programs including husbandry, display, acquisition and acclimation. Hurley joins Georgia Aquarium from Marineland’s Dolphin Conservation Center, recently purchased by the Aquarium and renamed Marineland Dolphin Adventure, where he served as General Manager and Vice President of Animal Management. Billy served as a consultant for several months on Georgia Aquarium’s AT&T Dolphin Tales expansion, a $110 million venture prior to joining the team full-time in Atlanta. With the addition of the recently acquired facility in Marineland, FL, he now oversees Marineland Dolphin Adventure, as well as Georgia Aquarium Conservation Field Station. Billy has more than 20 years of experience caring for and training marine mammals and aquatic species. He is heavily involved with the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA), serving as former president and currently accreditation chair. He is the current president-elect and past accreditation chair for the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA). Billy has released several formal posters, scientific articles and presentations, which focus primarily on mammal care and training.
Proceedings 2011
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schedule of eVents WedneSdaY – 21 September 2011
12:30 – 2:00
luncH breaK
1:00 – 2:00
Vip luncH cHat
2:15 – 3:15
Game SHoW - $25,000 imata pYramid
4:30 – 5:15
imata buSineSS meetinG & board member reportS
guests: Panel discussion MeMBers
Americana 4 – Exhibitor Hall Bring your own lunch and enjoy an informal setting to sit down with our Panel Discussion Members: Julie Scardina, Dr. Diane Sweeney, Dr. Geraldine Lacave, Billy Hurley, and Dave Roberts to continue our conversation on education messaging in shows. Everyone is welcome but seating is limited!
2:00 – 2:15
3:45 – 4:30
“imata GiVeS bacK” raFFle– Must be present to win!
Host: Traci Belting, Seattle Aquarium Join us for an exciting new game show done IMATA-style! We will have two celebrity contestants playing with two conference attendees. Teams will try to figure out clues designed around an IMATA theme in hopes of making it to the ‘Winner’s Circle’ where they will play for the grand prize! This is guaranteed to be a hilarious and unpredictable event for all to enjoy!
IMATA Board Members will provide reports on past year’s accomplishments and share information on new goals set for the upcoming year.
Free trip draWinG
The Atlantic/Pacific sponsored $1,000 Free Trip Drawing will occur at the end of the IMATA Business Meeting. Everyone that pre-registered for the conference is automatically eligible but you must be present to win!
Formal preSentationS
Moderated by: Secret Holmes, Gulf World
Big MoMMa’s house – the integration oF PaciFic White-sided dolPhins into a Killer Whale’s enVironMent Sarah Onnen & Marni Wood Miami Seaquarium
it’s not easy Being “green”! integrating 1.2 JuVenile caliFornia sea lions (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS) into MultiPle PinniPed social grouPs at Mystic aQuariuM
Deborah Pazzaglia Mystic Aquarium
an integration oF staFF and aniMals: a success story
7:00 – 10:00
imata career niGHt #2 - deluXe Job Fair
Americana 4 – Exhibitor Hall We will have a room filled with representatives from various marine animal facilities that may have employment opportunities, internship positions, or can simply answer questions about their locations. It’s a great place to make a solid first impression, so get dressed up, bring your resume and come find your dream job!
Job interVieW room
Americana 3 This room is available for anyone that would like to conduct applicant interviews or private discussions in a quiet and isolated meeting space.
Elizabeth Miller Chicago Zoological Society
3:15 – 3:45
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coFFee breaK in eXHibitor Hall
Proceedings 2011
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schedule e of eVents tHurSdaY – 22 September 2011
8:00 – 9:00
reGiStration
9:00 – 9:05
openinG Video - TRAIN!
9:05 – 9:15
announcementS
9:15 – 10:00
Special preSentation tHe aVerSiVeS Spectrum: WHat’S acceptable? Angi Millwood & Thad Lacinak Precision Behavior
10:00 – 10:45
1:00 – 2:00
2:00 – 2:15
“imata GiVeS bacK” raFFle – Must Be Present To Win!
2:15 – 3:15
Formal preSentationS
Formal preSentationS
Diane Sweeney Dolphin Quest
Chris McGriff SAIC BioSolutions
dolPhin assisted theraPy at the dolPhinariuM nuernBerg a trainer’s VieW Christiane Thiere Tiergarten Nuernberg
georgia aQuariuM’s dolPhin tales: systeMatic desensitiZation oF atlantic Bottlenose dolPhins (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) Michael Hunt & Lisa Mignogna Georgia Aquarium
11:15 – 11:30
“imata GiVeS bacK” raFFle – Must be present to win!
11:30 – 12:30
Formal preSentationS
Moderated by: Brian Sheehan, Vancouver Aquarium
coMPrehensiVe Video ethograM on Beluga (DELPHINAPTERUS LEUCAS) BehaVior Carolyn Campbell Texas A&M University
old dogs May learn neW tricKs – adaPted training For geriatric Marine MaMMals Lucie Palma Zoomarine
solVing a liFe-threatening regurgitation ProBleM in a caliFornia sea lion through training and satiation Pablo Joury Amneville Zoo France
12:30 – 2:00
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Moderated by: Alejandro Mata, Dolphin Discovery
trainers as actiVe learners in huMan-dolPhin interactions
Moderated by: Heather Keenan, Miami Seaquarium
coFFee breaK in eXHibitor Hall
guests: Facility oWners and Managers
Americana 4 – Exhibitor Hall Bring your own lunch and enjoy an informal setting to sit down with a wide variety of Marine Animal Facility Owners and Managers. It’s the perfect opportunity to discuss job opportunities, business operation strategies, animal management, staff management, and anything else you’d like to know about running a facility. Everyone is welcome but seating is limited!
aMerica’s teaching Zoo: a school that trains trainers
10:45 – 11:15
Vip luncH cHat
action learning!
Marten Foppen & Antoinette Lukken Dolfinarium Harderwijk
3:15 – 3:45
coFFee breaK in eXHibitor Hall
3:45 – 6:00
imata’S poSter and art FeStiVal poSter preSentationS
Americana 4 – Exhibitor Hall The room will be filled with easels displaying all accepted poster presentations with the authors standing by to discuss their poster topics and answer any questions you have.
Saic marine animal art conteSt
Americana 3&4 Foyer We will have tables and easels displaying a wide variety of art pieces that are entered into the SAIC sponsored Marine Animal Art Contest. All entries are divided into one of three categories: humor, art, and photography. We have a team of secret judges that will examine each art entry and decide on the winner of this contest. Each winner will receive a cash prize to be announced during Friday night’s Honors and Awards Banquet. Also, many of these art pieces will be donated to the Live Art Auction happening later tonight!
luncH breaK
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schedule of eVents tHurSdaY – 22 September 2011
7:00 – 10:00
imata’S niGHt oF adVenture
Americana 4 – Exhibitor Hall Moderated by: Debi Colbert
7:00 – 8:30
inFormal preSentationS
The Exhibitor Hall will be filled with tables holding a wide variety of Silent Auction items all donated by IMATA members and conference attendees. Each item will have its own SILENT AUCTION BIDDING SHEET so grab a pen and write down your name and bid amount on the item that you want. Keep a close eye on these items as people will continue to overbid you until all bidding stops at 9:00pm SHARP! Each item will be sold to the highest bidder! All money that is raised from this Silent Auction will continue to fund future awards through the IMATA Research Grant and Conservation Fund. Thank you for your continued support!
Americana 3 Moderated by: Shelley Wood, Dolphin Discovery Tonight we are showcasing a short list of informal presentations that will cover a wide variety of topics from facilities all over the world. Each informal presentation will be no more than 10 minutes and will be filled with exciting and useful information.
Winners will be announced right after the Live Art Auction in Americana 3! Payment for all items will occur tonight at our Auction Payment Table and we will accept cash, checks, or credit cards. Once payment is received, you will be given your item!
Beyond Basics: training dolPhins and sea lions the “concePt BehaViors” innoVate, rePeat, coMBos and ad-liBs Jamie Stevens Dolphin Research Center
8:30 – 9:30
ice cream partY!
9:00 – 9:30
liVe art auction
an oVerVieW and uPdate oF the indian riVer lagoon Bottlenose dolPhin health and risK assessMent (hera) ProJect Stephen McCulloch Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
the ‘sea’ driVers using a coMBination oF training, husBandry and research in the ManageMent oF our sea lion collection at taronga Zoo Elly Neumann Taronga Conservation Society Australia Christiane Thiere Tiergarten Nuernberg
Included in this Live Art Auction are the Wyland paintings he created live on stage on Monday. Money raised from his paintings will be split between the non-profit Wyland Foundation and the IMATA Research Grant and Conservation Fund. Additional art pieces will include a Dr. Jay Sweeney wood carving sculpture original, and so much more. All other monies raised from these items will go to support the IMATA Research Grant and Conservation Fund.
diVing into aggression Ricky Brush Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
When Bottlenose Meets BroadWay: georgia aQuariuM’s dolPhin tales
Payment for all items will occur tonight at our Auction Payment Table and we will accept cash, checks, or credit cards. Once payment is received, you will be given your item!
Michael Hunt & Lisa Mignogna Georgia Aquarium
Sarah Brignac Dolphin Research Center
Americana 3 Hosted by: Billy Hurley, Georgia Aquarium and Bill Wolden, Dolphin Quest Miss IMATA 2011: Christine Scullion, SAIC Bring your Meridian Subtek sponsored Art Auction Fan/Paddle from your conference registration giveaway bag and get ready for a Live Art Auction like you’ve never experienced before! Auctioneers Bill and Billy are back for a wild and crazy night of auctioning off one of a kind marine animal art pieces donated by IMATA members and conference attendees. Each art piece will be presented by Miss IMATA 2011 Christine Scullion and will be video projected on screen for the entire audience to see.
the challenge oF handraising a caliFornia sea lion PuP
MoMs MaKe the Best trainers! caPitaliZing on iMitation When training young atlantic Bottlenose dolPhins
Americana 4 – Exhibitor Hall Join us for our exciting Ice Cream Party! Make your own sundaes and enjoy these ice cold sweets while you pile on your favorite toppings!
9:30 – 10:00
WinnerS circle Americana 3
aniMal training adVisory coMMittee (atac) Presentation Dennis Christen, Todd Coffman ATAC committee co-chairs
7:00 – 9:00
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Silent auction
Proceedings 2011
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schedule e of eVents tHurSdaY – 22 September 2011
FridaY – 23 September 2011
EXHIBITOR draWing Winners Each Exhibitor will hold a special raffle and announce the winners for their giveaway item. To enter, make sure you visit each Exhibitor’s table in Americana 4 and fill out an entry form for their drawing. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
9:00 – 9:05
openinG Video -
9:05 – 9:15
announcementS
silent auction Winners
9:15 – 10:45
Formal preSentationS
The Silent Auction winners will be announced so stick around to see if YOU won the final bid. Immediately following these announcements, you will be able to pay for your item at the Auction Payment Table. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO CLAIM YOUR WINNING BID!
Moderated by: Mark Galan, SeaWorld Texas
training Patagonian sea lions to accePt scuBa diVers into their Pool For cleaning Kate Broad Colchester Zoo
Free silent auction iteM!
One of the Silent Auction items is ACTUALLY FREE! Be sure to stick around to hear which item will be given away for free, but only if you were the highest bidder! YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
8:00 – 9:00
SING!
deVeloPing an interactiVe sWiM PrograM With naÏVe, adult, PaciFic harBor seals (PHOCA VITULINA)
reGiStration
Amy Spaulding Miami Seaquarium
an innoVatiVe aPProach to training guest interaction With asian sMall claWed otters (AONYX CINEREA) Valerie Greene SeaWorld Orlando
training leoPard seals For research ProJects Danielle Fox & Elio Bombonato Taronga Conservation Society Australia
10:45 – 11:15
coFFee breaK in eXHibitor Hall
11:15 – 11:30
“imata GiVeS bacK” raFFle – Must be present to win!
11:30 – 12:30
Formal preSentationS
Moderated by: Jan Warfield, Mote Marine Laboratory
What’s a desy? and does lucy KnoW he’s Playing With dolPhins? enrichMent as entertainMent: For dolPhins and guests Jodi Skjegstad Dolphin Research Center
sea lion, sea lion…What do you see? Heather Hill St. Mary’s University
enrichMent PrograM oF the Marine MaMMal dePartMent at ocean ParK, hong Kong Claire Ma & Gavin Choi Ocean Park Hong Kong
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Proceedings 2011
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schedule of eVents FridaY – 23 September 2011
12:30 – 1:00
2012 conFerence preSentation
Presented by: Grant Abel, IMATA 2nd Vice President
1:00 – 1:30
people’S cHoice ballotS due!
1:00 – 2:00
luncH breaK
2:00 – 4:00
SWim teSt WorKSHop
Tear out your People’s Choice ballot from your Conference Proceedings on page 73 and write down who you would like to vote for to receive the 2011 People’s Choice Award. Nominees can include any individual, group, or organization that conference attendees feel has made the greatest contribution to the 2011 Conference. Please be specific when writing down your nomination and deposit your ballot into the official People’s Choice Ballot Box by 1:30pm! Winners will be announced tonight at the Honors and Awards Ceremony!
3:00 – 5:00
imata committee meetinGS
6:00 – 7:00
cocKtail reception
7:00 – 8:00
Formal dinner – “dininG under tHe Sea”
8:00 – 8:15
openinG Video compilation
8:15 – 10:00
imata HonorS and aWardS ceremonY
10:00 – 12:00
“dancinG under tHe Sea”
12:00 - ?
miami niGHtS!
Check the Conference Bulletin Board for IMATA Committee meeting times and locations.
IMATA Registration Foyer – Americana 3 and 4
Americana 3
Emceed by: Michael Hunt, Georgia Aquarium
DJ: Kaisa
You are on your own to head out and visit the Miami Clubs for some late night dancing!
good-BYe & see You All neXt YeAr!
Moderated by: Michelle Campbell, Dolphin Quest and Lisa Mignogna, Georgia Aquarium This discussion workshop aims to prepare you for your first swim test and build your confidence for in-water work. Run by professionals in the field that have conducted hundreds of swim tests for potential employees, they will cover a wide variety of skill sets in this workshop including: • • • •
Form and function swimming techniques Tips on diving properly Breath hold strategies Core strength exercises and expectations
Advanced reservations required for this workshop. Stop by the Event Sign-Up table for additional details if you are already signed up.
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Proceedings 2011
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs mondaY – 19 September 2011
mondaY – 19 September 2011
tHe unSinKable biSmarcK: tHe cHallenGeS and beneFitS oF obtaininG a pHYSicallY cHallenGed caliFornia Sea lion
it tooK a VillaGe to raiSe tHiS cHild! tHe StorY oF GYpSi, a little dolpHin WitH a biG eatinG diSorder
Jessica S. Jenkins Denver Zoological Foundation, Denver, Colorado
Kelly Jayne Rodriguez*, Linda S. Erb*, Pat Clough, Emily Guarino, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola, Dr. Michael Renner Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, Florida
In the fall of 2008, through a relationship cultivated with the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC), we were presented with an opportunity to take in a special needs California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). ‘Bismarck’, as he was named, was blind in one eye and had no rear flippers when he was received by PMMC. As his health improved, he also showed exceptionally appropriate social behavior toward numerous incoming and outgoing pinnipeds. Denver Zoo reviewed his medical records and sent staff to see Bismarck. After seeing his behavior around the other pinnipeds, they elected to bring him back to Denver. Staff faced many challenges when beginning to develop his training program. Building trust through positive techniques and being conscious of his physical challenges were vital to his success. Typical training methods had to be revised to help Bismarck succeed and build his confidence around his trainer. Staff developed a husbandry program and began incorporating him into the group of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and California sea lions, and he has now become a very positive element for the zoo and the collection. He helps bridge our connections to individuals with different needs, strengthen our program, and bring many smiles to the Denver patrons. He has become an ambassador for his species and visitors have shown a newfound enthusiasm for these incredible marine mammals. Bismarck’s participation in current shows and demonstrations, including Dream Night, has had a positive effect on our visitors experience and our abilities to communicate to the public the needs of ocean conservation.
Our presentation focuses on Dolphin Research Center’s management and medical care of a young female Tursiops truncatus with a potentially life threatening chronic aberrant ingestion problem. Gypsi was born Jan. 6, 2007 and weaned from her mother in January of 2009. Approximately one month later we saw the first signs of her eating the sea grasses in our natural bay water lagoons. Dolphin Research Center is located on Grassy Key in the Florida Keys. Our Gulf of Mexico lagoons boast the best, and worst, of a natural environment. This includes vast quantities of a variety of sea grasses and seaweeds which float in through our fences. Gypsi’s grass eating behavior was observed intermittently for about a month between January and February on random days, then appeared to stop. Over the summer, Grassy Key tends to have very little sea grass, and the next time ingestion became frequent was in the winter of 2009. On Jan. 6, 2010 we performed the first of many medical assists during which we endoscoped Gypsi, then manually retrieved sea grass from her first stomach. From that time until today we have been successfully managing Gypsi’s grass eating disorder. We will talk about strategies our team employed which included: ways to keep the grass from getting into our lagoons, ways to distract her from eating it, data collection during visual observations to let us know how much she was ingesting, and more. One of the things we implemented was enrichment, to determine if Gypsi could be distracted from eating grass. A team of DRC staff, along with a dedicated donor/member, developed our Dolphin Entertainment System (DESY), an interactive enrichment device that the dolphins manipulate on their own - without the help of humans. To determine when, how much, and what kind of grass Gyspi was ingesting we set up a daily observation schedule. Dubbed “Grass Obs”, the entire Dolphin Research Center staff participated in making the time consuming observations happen 7 days a week, up to 8 hours a day, for a year. Our research department created observation forms, analyzed the data and graphed any requested information for our medical team. The information compiled from Grass Obs correlated with the amount of grass we were manually extracting from Gypsi’s stomach, confirming that our observations were accurate. Our training staff worked hard on husbandry behaviors that would enable us to monitor Gypsi’s ingestion, with the goal of phasing down the number of observation hours. We employed two primary behaviors for our monitoring method: voluntary hydration and ultrasound. We trained Gypsi to let us tube her 2 – 2.5 liters of fresh water, then immediately perform an ultrasound of her first and second stomach chambers. Again, our observations of ingested grass matched what we saw on ultrasound examination, ultimately allowing us to phase out observations. Currently, weekly ultrasound of the fluid-filled stomachs enables our medical staff to quantify the amount of accumulated vegetation and determine whether a manual retrieval is necessary or not. As a result of the efforts of close to 100 people, today Gypsi is a healthy, active 4 year old, and a testament to the value of husbandry training.
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs mondaY – 19 September 2011
identiFication oF a c2 Fracture and racHiS deViation tHrouGH ct Scan in a caliFornia Sea lion (ZalopHuS caliFornianuS) Geraldine Lacave1*, Laurent Marescaux2, Jean-Luc Bourgain3, Justine Deschamps3, Corinne Godet3, William Gournay3, Aurelia Pouille3, Virginie Roy3 1 Marine Mammal Veterinary Services, Brugge, Belgium 2 Oncovet, Villeneuve d’Ascq, France 3 Nausicaa, Centre National de la mer, Boulogne-sur-mer, France In November 2009, a bulge was identified on the left side of the neck in a 15-year-old male California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) by the training staff at Nausicaa. Though originally a reaction to a bite wound (even with no skin lesion apparent) was considered, the animal seemed to show no discomfort and the swelling showed no reduction by the use of anti-inflammatory drug. The swelling actually grew (or became more visible) to a 20 cm (7.87 in) size mass that then stabilized. Other differential diagnoses were then advanced, among others the development of a cold abscess, an enlarged lymph node (infectious, tuberculosis), or the presence of a tumoral mass. Blood results, x-rays, and ultrasound of the mass were unremarkable. Because of the high prevalence of tuberculosis in Europe, though not really in California sea lions, enlargement of a lymph node were high on the list. However, the Nausicaa population, based on RT tests, seemed to be a sane population and had even been chosen to test the efficiency of skin test in pinnipeds in Europe. Eventually it was decided to perform a CT scan and a biopsy at the same time, which would necessitate only one anesthesia for the animal. The procedure occurred at Oncovet, a small animal diagnostic imaging reference clinic, but situated a couple of hours driving from the Aquarium. Good animal husbandry and training techniques used at the department helped tremendously to make the procedure a success. Because of lack of space in the reference clinic and the presence of other clients with dogs and cats, the animal was anesthetized in a tent in the clinic’s parking before being transferred to the scanner. Contrast product was injected in the jugular on the right side through an IV catheter. Neck and thoracic scannings were performed in dorsal decubitus. No mass was visible in the cervical region. A deformation of the second cervical vertebra, with embedment in C1, due to an ancient fracture by compression, was identified, with development of a bony calcification. This deformation provoked a lateral deviation of the rachis at the level of C1-C2 and the visible bulging. Consequent to this result, no biopsy was done. Recovery from anesthesia and voluntary transfer from squeeze cage to transport cage happened also in the tent before driving back to the facility. The animal still shows no symptoms or reduction of the mass. Comparable fractures are described in dogs as a consequence to a heavy shock (fight or car hit). The hypothesis is that the animal either fell hard on some rocks or possibly had a heavy fight with some other animals in the group, the subject being the lowest in the social ranking of this all castrated male colony. Ideally another CT scan should be performed to control the evolution of the fracture.
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mondaY – 19 September 2011
Hand raiSinG and conditioninG oF neonate beluGa WHale William R. Winhall*, Wild Arctic Team SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California In April 1997, Sea World of California opened an Arctic attraction, which included polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, beluga whales, and seals. In 2009, the beluga and seal exhibit included four beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) and five seals. The social group consisted of two male beluga whales, a 40-year-old and a 26-year-old, and two female belugas, a 31-year-old and a 25-year-old. The belugas shared the exhibit, medical-pool, and back holding pool with four harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and one male ringed seal (Pusa hispida). The seals also occupied their own separate holding area. The 31-year-old female had high progesterone levels in March 2009 and gave birth in mid-June 2010. The calf was removed shortly after birth due to maternal neglect. The beluga calf was initially tube-fed electrolyte solution, and then dilute formula mixed with her mom’s milk/colostrum. Finally, the calf was fed full-strength formula with the gradual addition of fish oil to increase its energy concentration. Bottle feedings were attempted throughout the day and night without much success. Once the calf developed a stable growth rate and met appropriate health parameters, introduction to the rest of the social group was initiated. The younger adult female was introduced to the calf visually and then physically through the med-pool and into the back holding pool where the calf resided. Gradually, one by one, the entire beluga social group was introduced to the calf without incident. Eventually all four whales were living in the exhibit pool with access to the med pool and back holding pool. The calf learned to swim and glide with both adult females and even the males on occasion. Once she began hand feeding and stationing next to the two adult females, she was asked to cooperate in our training program. The calf gained approximately 1 pound (0.45 kg) per day for the first 90 days, meeting our beluga whale neonatal guidelines/requirements. She would swim and eventually nurse from both adult females as well as swim independently exploring the exhibit and infrequently interacting with seals. The calf seemed to enjoy the attention of her trainers, rubdowns, play, and enrichment items. The calf progressed rapidly stationing alone or next to one of the adult beluga whales. She also learned to move from point A to point B on cue, to allow body exams and fluke presents, to target on our hand (mouth closed), and she developed a better understanding of the bridge. The calf has demonstrated healthy psychological and physiological development. One of the most important goals we have for the calf and her training program is letting the calf be a calf by knowing where she is developmentally and keeping our interactions with her fun, mutually rewarding, and age appropriate.
Proceedings 2011
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs mondaY – 19 September 2011
WHen SHould Your Seal or Sea lion HaVe cataract SurGerY? Carmen M.H. Colitz, DVM, PhD Diplomate American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists Visually impairing cataracts and lens luxations are a common problem in both captive and wild pinnipeds. This presently affects approximately half of all pinnipeds under human care, and the incidence increases to 100% as they age. Risk factors that have been identified recently include lack of shade, aging, history of eye diseases, and fighting. Forty-seven pinnipeds have undergone unilateral or bilateral lensectomy procedures between 2002 and 2011. Fortyseven animals were under human care and one was stranded but returned to the wild following recovery. There were 25 males, 22 females, average age was 22.2 years (range is between 7 months to 35 years), and included 36 Zalophus californianus (California sea lion), 6 Phoca vitulina (Harbor seal), 1 Arctocephalus townsendi (Guadalupe fur seal), 1 Mirounga angustirostri (Northern elephant seal), 1 Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus (South African fur seal), and 2 Neophoca cinerea (Australian sea lion). Eighty-three eyes underwent surgery: 40 had anterior luxations, 39 lenses were behind the iris but the lens capsule was not attached peripherally (of these, 3 had medial strabismus), 4 lenses were in position and attached. Surgery was bilateral in 36 animals, unilateral in 11, and 2 of these had both lenses removed at different times. The youngest animal underwent phacoemulsification (traditional cataract surgery) with posterior capsulotomy, others underwent intracapsular or extracapsular approach. All eyes with pre-existing anterior lens luxations have dense corneal scarring. Medial strabismus did not resolve in two cases, but in one, the medial rectus muscle was resected and the animal is now able to move the eye more freely than before surgery. Four eyes developed chronic corneal scarring presumably exacerbated by not dry-docking post-operatively. Twenty-one animals have concurrent Otariid Keratitis, the chronic progressive corneal disease common in otariids. One animal developed painful infected corneal ulcers in both eyes following surgery. The animal also had pre-existing Otariid Keratitis that became active after surgery. One eye developed post-operative endophthalmitis (infection). Three eyes developed intermittent corneal stromal abscesses; two eyes (same animal) remain stable and sighted on systemic antifungals. The third eye responds to antifungal medications. Vision was improved in all but five eyes and pain due to anterior luxation was perceived as resolved in all eyes. The elephant seal pup was released following recovery. Overall, surgical removal of the lenses has proven successful. The best results have been in eyes that did not have chronic anterior lens luxations and did not have medial strabismus. In addition, it is important to train the animal to receive eye drops consistently and to have a strong eye-open behavior, even if they are in some pain to allow for examination and photography.
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mondaY – 19 September 2011
let Sea lionS be See lionS! analYSiS oF beHaVior in caliFornia Sea lionS beFore and aFter cataract remoVal SurGerY Chelsea M. Grubb1*, Kristen T. Razner1, Carmen M.H. Colitz2 1 Kansas City Zoo, Kansas City, Missouri 2 Aquatic Animal Eye Care, Jupiter, Florida Cataracts in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) have historically been an ongoing medical problem in the world’s captive population. This condition has vast and dramatic behavioral effects on these animals in a myriad of ways. It seriously limits their ability to perform as a functional part of a facility’s program, changes their social behavior with other animals, and alters the relationship between trainer and animal. Since 2003, Dr. Carmen Colitz has performed over 100 successful cataract removals on approximately 56 pinnipeds with the majority being California sea lions, drastically improving their vision. Utilizing Dr. Colitz’s patient base, we have compiled information on sea lions’ behavior with limited vision and compared it to post surgery behavior when vision is regained. Surveys were distributed to multiple facilities where Dr. Colitz has performed these procedures. The surveys included questions regarding each individual animal’s history, personality, social behavior, methods of training, etc. Of the information obtained to date, 100% of the animals researched returned to responding to visual cues after surgery, indicating some amount of regained vision. One hundred percent of the animals had a high level of self-confidence and motivation to train after surgery, and the same percentage of animals held a strong relationship with their trainers after the procedure. By documenting and analyzing the behavioral changes in animals that have experienced a cataract removal procedure, we have concluded that it is possible to improve the quality of life for California sea lions, as well as the overall functionality of zoological facilities. For facilities considering this procedure, this project is an extremely beneficial source of baseline information on behavior surrounding the impact of cataracts and their removal. It gives trainers a reasonable idea of what to expect from their animals from a behavioral standpoint after undergoing this surgery. Because documentation on the behavioral effects of this surgery is limited, this project sheds a new light on the benefits of this procedure, as well as helps facilities become successful as they delve into improving the quality of life for our captive sea lion population.
Proceedings 2011
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs tueSdaY – 20 September 2011
tueSdaY – 20 September 2011
eartHQuaKe, tSunami diSaSter and recoVerY oF matSuSHima aQuarium
pataGonian Sea lion (otaria FlaVeScenS) Semen collection bY manual Stimulation on a dummY mount
Satoru Yamamoto Representing Matsushima Aquarium, Tohoku, Japan
Angel M. Galicia Navarro*, Benjamin Schulz* Conny Land AG, Lipperswil, Switzerland
On March 11th 14:16PM, the Tohoku area of Japan was hit by a earth quake scaled 9.0 Mw. It was the biggest earth quake on the record in Japan. About 40 minutes after the quake, the large area of the east coast of Tohoku area was attacked by a large Tsunami. The highest Tsunami seemed to be over 20 m (65 ft). Many zoos and aquariums were damaged. Many aquariums were affected, but two aquariums in particular were seriously damaged and forced to shut down. Those were Fukushima Aquarium and Matsushima Aquarium.
One male Patagonian sea lion (Otaria flavescens) was trained for voluntary semen collection, to determine if this method is sufficient to gain sperm samples for analysis for semen quality and freezing protocols, as well as to learn if this training can assist in controlling undesired behavior during the mating season. Training was started pre-mating season and was conducted every second day at the same time, in the late afternoon. We designed a dummy mount that both allowed the animal to be in a natural mating position and allowed us good access to the genital area for manipulation. After the animal had learned to remain calm in position on the dummy, further steps included: discriminative stimulus to achieve an erection, desensitization of the penis, induction of copulatory thrusts by stimulation, maintenance of thrusting response until ejaculation, and collection of the ejaculate. The animal is so far responding excellently to the training and is ejaculating consistently by manual stimulation after an average final thrusting phase of 7 min 40 seconds (N= 17). Average time of the complete session is 37 minutes (from mounting of the dummy, achieving erection, inducing thrusting phases until final ejaculatory thrusts). Volume of semen collected was low so far (<5ml), color appearance was clear. There was no viable sperm in these samples, as we expected during the non-breeding season. During the whole training period, no change was noticed in this animal i.e. abnormal sexual behavior or aggressive reaction while interacting with the females or the trainers during shows, feeding, or medical training sessions. During the mating season, we hope to see an effect of the training on the sexual behavior, and to be able to collect high-density semen samples. This training could be a non-invasive method to control sexual aggression in male sea lions and could efficiently replace hormone treatments or irreversible castrations. Furthermore, we hope to offer in the future a reliable procedure to collect semen from sea lions on a routine basis for artificial insemination programs. AI can improve the breeding management of pinnipeds by enhancing the genetic variability in those naturally polygynous breeding species, with paternity normally only achieved by a limited number of dominant males.
Although, the damage of Matushima Aquarium was very severe, they accomplished remarkable recovery and reopened just 44 days after the quake! An explanation of what happened to Matsuhima Aquarium and how marine mammal staff dealt with problems, and what they learned will be detailed. In addition, Fukushima Aquarium reopened July 16th almost four months after the quake with still impressively quick recovery. To be noted, besides Matsuhima and Fukushima aquariums, many aquariums have suffered by the economic impact caused by the earthquake.
tHe poSitiVe reSultS in pre-planninG dolpHin birtHS and uSe oF a FalSe bottom durinG deliVerY Terri Corbett*, Al Kelley, AJ Penny Dolphin Cay Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas Dolphin Cay is home to 38 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and 16 sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Dolphin Cay is a guest interaction and educational facility at Atlantis Resort, a 3000 plus room mega-resort, which is located in the heart of Paradise Island, Bahamas. Since opening its doors in 2007, Dolphin Cay has celebrated 10 successful dolphin births. Pre-planning each birth from conception to delivery helps to create the best odds for success. In 2010/2011 Dolphin Cay allowed five dolphins to calve in a 40 ft (12.2-meter) diameter medical pool with a full false bottom. The success rate of these five calves was 100%. The processes we followed increased the chance of success as well as training of both the newborns and mothers prior to re-introduction back into their normal social structures.
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs tueSdaY – 20 September 2011
taKinG control oF paciFic WalruS (odobenuS roSmaruS diVerGenS) reproduction: acHieVinG a preGnancY in a 16-Year-old WalruS utiliZinG reproductiVe tecHnoloGY and an intenSiVe traininG proGram Holley S. Muraco1,2*, Leah D. Coombs1*, Dianna G. Procter1, Michael J. Muraco1 1 Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, California 2 Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi The Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) is a remarkable species that has rarely been studied; reproduction in particular remains largely unknown. Walrus have an extremely low reproductive rate in zoos and aquariums with only 11 live births occurring in 80 years in the US. Currently, there are only 10 females and 7 male walrus living in seven US zoos and aquariums. At the time of this study, 1.1 nulliparous 16-year-old Pacific walrus were housed at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. The walrus are managed in a very training focused program that includes daily husbandry, research, and show behaviors. In an attempt to identify the causative reason for the reproductive failure of this population, the animals were monitored in detail for three years. This project required new behaviors to be trained, modification of previously trained behaviors, and creation of novel behaviors to accommodate the intensive needs of the study. The most critical behavior for understanding the reproductive cycle was obtaining reliable and consistent voluntary blood draws on both male and female walrus. One of the novel behaviors included obtaining daily sperm samples for cryopreservation through urethral massage and achievement of a spontaneous ejaculation while under stimulus control. Other project behaviors included daily vaginal swabs to check for breeding activity, frequent ovarian and testicular ultrasound, and voluntary vaginal endoscopy. The findings showed that the female consistently ovulated once annually in late December. In contrast, the male’s seasonal rut consistently occurred from late February – May with a serum testosterone peak in March. During the female’s ovulation mid-winter, the male had baseline testosterone and was azoospermic. During the male’s spermatogenic rut in the spring, the female had elevated progesterone. The “out-of sync” cycles appeared to be the primary causative reason for the reproductive failure. A reproductive technology treatment was applied to the male and successfully induced rut, including elevated testosterone, spermatogenesis, weight gain and reproductive behavior, so that it corresponded to the female’s December ovulation. The “sync up” (synchronization) of the cycles resulted in the pair breeding successfully for the first time, and subsequently, the female’s first pregnancy. Using this technology in other individuals with similar profiles, it may be possible to improve the reproductive success of Pacific walrus in US zoos and aquariums. In that regard, the treatment has been replicated in the same male and a second female as well as a male housed with two females at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington. Future goals include the use of the cryopreserved sperm samples in the first artificial insemination of a walrus. It is with the hope of aiding to the success, knowledge, and self-sustainability of this species in zoos and aquariums, that we continue to learn, train and grow.
tueSdaY – 20 September 2011
reSponSe to entanGled bottlenoSe dolpHinS (turSiopS truncatuS) WitHin tHe SoutHeaStern united StateS reGion Stephen D. McCulloch*, Steve Burton, Juli D. Goldstein Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, Center for Marine Ecosystems Health, Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Program, Fort Pierce, Florida Marine animal entanglement in fishing gear is a global problem that impacts more than 260 species including marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds. The immediate effects of entanglement include mortality, serious injury, minor injury, or no injury. Long-term effects of entanglement include deteriorating health, decreased reproductive ability, or no impact. The deleterious effects of entanglement occur most frequently at the level of the individual.1, 3 More whales, dolphins, and porpoises die every year by getting entangled in fishing gear than from any other threat. Small whales, dolphins, and porpoises are most vulnerable because they generally aren’t strong enough to break free from nets to come to the surface to breathe. For these smaller cetaceans, entanglement can cause death by drowning.2 Effects of fishing gear interactions are among the most pressing issues currently being addressed by marine mammal management agencies in the United States. While the entire emphasis of management agencies has been on commercial fisheries, little notice has been taken of the impacts of recreational fisheries.3 In the Southeastern United States region, between 2003-2010 there were a total of 33 marine mammal entanglements involving Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that were identified by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as having life-threatening entanglements from commercial, recreational fishing gear, and other marine debris.4 In such cases where life-threatening anthropogenic stressors are identified, efforts to intervene are made by NMFS. In such instances, NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinators develop a response effort and resources that involve members of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Network, assigned capture specialists, and marine mammal veterinarians. These field operations are logistically complex, requiring 4-6 small (chase) boats, specialized capture equipment, medical supplies, telemetry systems and a team of 20-40 individuals possessing a broad range of capabilities. The goal of intervention operations is to safely capture, conduct physical examinations, collect samples, and mark and release the target animal as quickly and safely as possible with a minimum of stress to both personnel and dolphin. In some instances, post-release monitoring is desirable to document wound-healing rate, body condition, movement, and overall longevity. There are several highlights and examples including eight interventions that have occurred in Florida, Texas, and Georgia from 2003 to 2010. These examples demonstrate the challenges of planning and conducting open-water capture and treatments, as well as the benefits of collaborating with various individuals, organizations and agencies. References Asmutis R. (chair) 2004. Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Marine Mammal Entanglement Working Group Action Plan.
1
Cetacean Bycatch Resource Center http://www.cetaceanbycatch.org/species_risk.cfm.
2
Wells RS, Hoffman S, Moors TL. 1998. Entanglement and Mortality of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in recreational fishing gear in Florida. Fishery Bulletin; 96: 647-650.
3
NOAA Fisheries 2011 http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/protectedresources/entanglement.
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs tueSdaY – 20 September 2011
tueSdaY – 20 September 2011
oF manateeS and men: captiVe reSearcH SaVinG endanGered SpecieS
collaboration and critical care – HarleY’S StorY
Edmund R. Gerstein1,2* Laura A. Gerstein2, Joseph E. Blue2 1 Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 2 Leviathan Legacy Inc., Boca Raton, Florida
Shelley Ballmann1*, Rita Stacey Vondra2* 1 Oceans of Fun, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 2 Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Illinois
Pioneering research training and behavioral hearing studies have revealed an underlying sensory vulnerability that threatens an endangered species and reinforces the significance and power of captive animal research in the protection and stewardship of wild populations. West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) are repeatedly scarred and often killed by collisions with watercraft. Collisions are so prevalent that 90% of the known living manatees are catalogued and identified by their characteristic scar patterns from multiple boat encounters. To investigate the reasons for these collisions a comprehensive series of controlled psychoacoustic tests was initiated more than two decades ago with captive-born manatees to document their overall hearing abilities. The results from more than 30,000 threshold trials definitively measured the West Indian manatees’ overall range of hearing, frequency sensitivity, masked thresholds, critical ratios, and directional hearing, against various controlled ambient noise backgrounds. Modified staircase and method of constants psychometric methods were employed using pure tones, complex sounds, species-specific vocalizations, and exemplars of boat noise. The study resulted in the first behavioral audiograms, masked threshold, critical ratio, and directional hearing tests for any Sirenian species. Seminal scientific discoveries and demonstrations of the manatees’ cognitive learning, and hearing dispelled commonly held misconceptions and assumptions of regulatory and wildlife biologists. Complementing these captive behavioral investigations, companion underwater acoustical measurements of manatee habitats and vessel noise propagation in these environments were conducted to evaluate the sensory and acoustical factors that render Florida manatees so vulnerable to repeated collisions with vessels. It turns out that both low frequency cut-offs in shallow water and near surface boundary effects limit the propagation of low frequency sounds and the dominant low frequency spectra of slow-moving boats. Unfortunately, slow speed zones implemented by regulatory agencies to protect manatees do not address the underlying acoustical challenges manatees face. Ironically, the strategy can be counter-productive in turbid waters and exacerbate the problem, making vessels more difficult or impossible for manatees to detect, while increasing transect times and thus the opportunities for collisions. The captive research demonstrates that while manatees are not adapted for hearing the dominant spectra from watercraft, they are well equipped to detect and locate higher frequency modulated sounds. This hearing sensitivity provides a narrow sensory window through which to alert manatees of approaching vessels. A highly directional, very low intensity, environmentally friendly alarm which exploits the manatees’ best hearing abilities was designed to alert manatees of approaching boats. This technological solution, borne from research with captive manatees, has been successfully tested in the open water with wild manatees. The study design is straightforward with two experimental conditions: (1) boat approaches with the alarm activated and (2) boat approaches with the alarm deactivated. Preliminary results from more than 100 trials demonstrate that manatees successfully avoid boats with alarms 97% of the time and only 7% of the time without the alarm. Manatees respond to slow-boat alarm approaches up to 35 m (114.8 ft) away from the boat, at levels 18 dB above their estimated critical ratios for hearing. This interdisciplinary research model helps demonstrate how vital captive animal research can be when applied to help save wild populations at large.
Working collaboratively with our fellow facilities is a goal, which motivates, unites, and challenges us to improve upon our animal husbandry, training, care, and staff development. Recognizing the benefits in collaboration often means the relocation of animals as well as the sharing of resources and decision-making regarding animal collections. While facilities often have different collection and management goals, working collaboratively facilitates the ability to unite our resources and provide the animals within our populations exemplary care. Being neighbors in the Midwest, the Chicago Zoological Society’s Seven Seas and the Oceans of Fun training staff had an established history of working together on research projects, behavioral management, staff development, relocation assistance, breeding, and animal loans. In 2002, the Chicago Zoological Society began caring for ‘Harley’, a male California sea lion pup (Zalophus californianus) that had stranded twice, was deaf, and ultimately deemed non-releasable by the National Marine Fisheries Service. While Harley acclimated well to his home in Chicago, it became apparent that in combination with his handicap, he lacked social skills, did not understand basic natural pinniped behavior, and was not an appropriate fit for the Seven Seas’ sea lion social group. In 2009, the Chicago Zoological Society determined it was in Harley’s best interest to relocate him to Oceans of Fun, a breeding and interactive facility which had the ability and experience to teach Harley basic pinniped manners and acclimate him into a complex social system. The alliance between these two facilities allowed Harley to develop appropriate behaviors and integrate successfully into the dynamic social population at Oceans of Fun. In March of 2011, Harley appeared to become ill with a gastro-intestinal virus, which had actively spread through the Oceans of Fun pinniped population. While symptoms initially appeared similar to those of three of his pool mates, Harley deteriorated dramatically within a 96- hour period to a state of complete paralysis and non-responsive behavior. Providing no clues, his blood work presented at normal levels. Over a seven-week period, Harley’s behavior cycled between dramatic health improvements in response to medications to deteriorations, which would sink him back into a comatose state of non-responsive paralysis. In an effort to diagnosis his illness and provide critical care, veterinarians, trainers, and management from Oceans of Fun, the Chicago Zoological Society, and the Milwaukee County Zoo united to diagnose, determine treatment, and provide critical care. Harley’s disability and challenges reminds us all of how collaboration, in all capacities, provides the best possible care to the animals in our collection.
Research authorized under USFWS permits PRT 761873, PRT 795477, and MA063561-1&2. Funding: U.S.Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Inland Navigation District, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, and the Citizens for Florida’s Waterways.
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs WedneSdaY – 21 September 2011
a noVel approacH to traininG pHlebotomY procedureS in atlantic bottlenoSe dolpHinS (turSiopS truncatuS) to treat iron StoraGe diSeaSe Kayla R. Bergman*, Holli C. Byerly1,2, Jill L. Richardson1, 2, 3, Melissa M. Weierick2*, Jessica L. Lilli2 1 Dolphins Plus, Inc., Key Largo, Florida 2 Dolphin Cove, Inc., Key Largo, Florida 3 Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, Florida Iron storage disease, or hemochromatosis, in Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) is becoming increasingly more common among captive populations (Mitchell et al., 2008). The exact origin of the disease is unclear, although genetics, diet, and the use of supplements have all been identified as potential driving factors. Iron saturation can lead to toxicity, eventually resulting in severe liver damage. Hemochromatosis was first identified in T. truncatus at the United States Navy Marine Mammal Program where Johnson et al. (2009) discovered that routine phlebotomies, involving weekly removals of large amounts of blood (ca. 1-2 L), effectively decreased iron levels. To date, several managed care facilities have implemented routine phlebotomies as an effective tool in mitigating the disease, but these protocols involve animal haul outs and/or medical seclusion in order to complete the procedure. All of these require sophisticated equipment and a large number of animal care and veterinary staff (Vlachos et al., 2009). Thus, the animal care staff at two zoological facilities in Key Largo, Florida, with limited infrastructure developed a unique training regime to successfully implement this procedure. In early 2009, four adult, male Tursiops truncatus at Dolphin Cove and Dolphins Plus were diagnosed with early signs of hemochromatosis, and phlebotomies were prescribed as a treatment. Neither facility is equipped with drop- pools, multiple enclosures, gating protocol, seclusion areas, or a large staff to aid in the successful implementation of this procedure. Thus, the training protocol for the afflicted animals involved a ventral fluke presentation on a floating platform, with a single trainer and the staff veterinarian. To increase training efficiency, as well as minimize localized discomfort to the phlebotomy site, ≥ 1.5cc of anesthetic (2.0% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:1000,000) was administered intramuscularly. The successful completion of this behavior was achieved by detailed approximations and resulted in a significant decrease in blood iron levels in each of the affected animals. Although each animal exhibited variations in learning, the training was completed within 9 to 14 months. The application of phleobotomy procedures from a floating platform, without the use of a stretcher, drop-pool, or numerous staff members was a success. The goal of this project is to provide valuable information to other marine mammal facilities with similar environmental limitations and enable the successful treatment of an increasingly pervasive health concern.
WedneSdaY – 21 September 2011
beHaVioral traininG oF aFrican penGuinS (SpHeniScuS demerSuS) For interVertebral pleXuS blood collection Tracy M. Camp*, Allison D. Tuttle, DVM, Diplomate ACZM, Laurie J. Macha, MS, Sarah Misslin-Dunn, Michael T. Osborn Mystic Aquarium, Sea Research Foundation Inc., Mystic, Conneticut Mystic Aquarium, a division of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., currently houses 30 African penguins (Spheniscus demersus). African penguins are a territorial prey species with a propensity for aggressive behavior. It can become difficult to provide care for a species with such a reactive nature. It is essential to an animal’s quality of life to provide routine physical examinations including regular blood sampling. Although physical immobilization can be used, animals can be impacted with high, and often unnecessary, levels of stress. Physical immobilization can also prohibit trust development between the trainer and animal, making future training difficult. Our goal was to maintain trust between animal and trainer as well as decrease the level of stress during blood draws. Mystic Aquarium has developed a training process with their colony of African penguins that relies heavily on the penguins’ natural instinct to develop lasting relationships. The project used behavior modification to obtain regular blood samples without physical restraint. While food reinforcement is occasionally used, it is the bond between trainer and penguin that has proven to be most effective. To begin the training, one subject, Yellow/Brown, was selected due to previous conditioning for a layout behavior and the relationship with the trainer. The intervertebral plexus blood site was determined by the staff veterinarian based on access to the site and the attainability of a sample from that site. Because the intervertebral plexus was a novel site, research was completed to validate sampling from this site. Through behavioral modification and operant conditioning, Yellow/Brown has consistently cooperated with blood sample collection from the intervertebral plexus reducing unnecessary stress. Yellow/Brown has successfully donated behavioral blood samples on average once per month for the past ten months. We have begun to train several African penguins at Mystic Aquarium for this process, and one day hope to have our entire colony providing behavioral blood samples.
References Johnson, S. P., Venn-Watson, S. K., Cassle, S. E., Smith, C. R., Jensen, E. D., Ridgway, & S. H. (2009). Use of phlebotomy treatment in Atlantic bottlenose dolphins with iron overload. Journal of the American Veterinarian Medical Association, 235(2), 194-200. Mitchell, M. A., Solangi, M. A., Clemons-Chevis, C. L., Vanderpool, D., Ramagnoli, M., Hoffland, T., Jowett, P. (2008). Relationship between plasma iron concentration and gastric pH in captive adult bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). American Journal of Veterinary Research, 69(7). 900 – 903. Vlachos, S., Breese, M., Pacini, A. F., Look, D., Braun, R. C., Coisman, J. G., & Nachitgall, P. E. (2010). Medical Training of an Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) for Voluntary and On-Deck Phlebotomies. Soundings, 35(4), 9-11.
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs WedneSdaY – 21 September 2011
WedneSdaY – 21 September 2011
traininG SiGnal detection taSKS For determininG SenSorY tHreSHoldS in marine mammalS
traininG a bottlenoSe dolpHin For direct meaSurementS oF SubJectiVe loudneSS
Michelle Hanenburg*, Dr. Colleen Reichmuth Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California
Linda Green1*, Erik Robinson2, Carolyn E. Schlundt3, James J. Finneran4 1 SAIC, San Diego, California 2 G2 Software Systems, Inc., San Diego, California 3 ITT Corporation, San Diego, California 4 US Navy Marine Mammal Program, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, San Diego, California
Research in the field of psychophysics often uses signal detection theory to measure an individual’s sensitivity to a stimulus (Stebbins, 1970). While having an animal voluntarily participate in such research supports understanding of perceptual capabilities and sensory adaptations, the task of training an animal for signal detection presents several challenges. To explore the uniquely specialized sensory systems of amphibious marine mammals, our laboratory has trained basic signal detection tasks in a variety of species, including harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), ringed seals (Pusa hispida), spotted seals (Phoca largha), and Southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris). Many behavioral signal detection tasks rely upon an animal’s voluntary response to a sensory cue. Training for these tasks begins with the shaping of the desired response to a salient stimulus, one that the animal can readily perceive. The “Go/No-go” method of signal detection involves conditioning an animal to respond when it detects a signal, and to not respond in the absence of a signal (Schusterman, 1980). As training progresses and the animal’s response to the initial stimulus undergoes stimulus control, the signal is gradually altered to promote generalization to similar stimuli, eventually allowing for testing to occur (Stebbins, 1970). Trainers generally work to set their animals up for success, controlling the learning environment to minimize failure and frustration. In signal detection training, however, allowing animals to make errors is crucial. Errors serve to reveal the limits of performance that define sensory capabilities. Errors also allow the experimenter to gauge the reliability of the animal’s response, and maintain consistency between sessions and with respect to other animals that may also be tested. Through the responses they give to signals near their sensory limits, animals can display response bias by tending towards positively responding to trials without stimuli, or failing to respond to signal trials. An individual’s tendency towards a particular bias may be influenced not only by the individual, but also by species differences or experimental conditions. Through a variety of training examples, we found that creating a problem solving environment where the animal is given less active guidance and allowed to explore the consequences of its own behavior can facilitate a tolerance to errors that will aid the animal throughout the signal detection task (Schusterman, 1980). While presenting many interesting challenges, the training of signal detection tasks utilizes the same principles of operant conditioning as other behavioral training (Stebbins, 1970). By incorporating the principles of signal detection theory we have been able to successfully train individuals of a variety of ages, species, and training backgrounds for signal detection tasks, as well as generalize the established behavior across modalities in order to explore a wide range of perceptual capabilities. Through the cultivation of enriching conditions that encourage active decision-making and exploration, we are also provided with insight as to how animals interact with their environment and can learn to modify and adapt their own behavior. References Schusterman, Ronald J. (1980). Behavioral Methodologies in Echolocation by Marine Mammals. In R. G. Busnel and J. Fish (Eds.), Animal Sonar Systems (pp. 11-41). New York: Plenum Press.
Over the last several decades there has been increasing concern over the potential adverse effects of underwater, human-generated noise on marine animals, primarily because of their sensitive, wideband hearing. However, present efforts to predict and mitigate the potential effects of noise on marine mammals are hampered by the limited amount of data that relate to the potential adverse effects (e.g., hearing loss) to the physical (measurable) parameters of noise (e.g., frequency, amplitude, duration). We conditioned a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) for a study designed to determine equal loudness levels. Equal-loudness contour is a measure of sound pressure (dB sound pressure level (SPL)), over the frequency spectrum, for which a listener perceives a constant loudness. Quantification of loudness in human listeners is straightforward; however, it is difficult to convey the concepts of loudness ranking or loudness matching to non-verbal animals, thus prior attempts to estimate equal loudness contours in animals have relied upon objective measurements. The present study demonstrates that a non-verbal animal can be conditioned for a subjective loudnessmatching test and therefore it is possible to directly measure loudness levels in some animals. These data can then be used to derive equal loudness contours, which would allow for making predictions about the loudness of sounds with parameters for which data are lacking. The total time for training the dolphin was approximately nine months. The loudness comparison test utilized a twoalternative, forced-choice paradigm. The subject was presented two sequential, 500-ms tones, separated by 500-ms of silence. The subject was trained to whistle if the first tone was louder than the second and to produce a burst pulse response (a rapid sequence of echolocation pulses) if the second tone was louder than the first. Training began by first conditioning the subject to produce each acoustic response when given a unique tactile cue. The tactile cues were then paired with sound stimuli consisting of tone pairs having a detectable frequency difference and a large SPL difference. The stimulus pairs therefore possessed an exaggerated transition effect of “loud to soft” or “soft to loud.” Since the subject had previous experience whistling in response to hearing a single tone, focus was placed on training the burst pulse response to the “soft to loud” tone pairs first. The tactile cue for the burst pulse response was then faded out, and the subject conditioned to respond only to the sound stimuli. Once the subject’s performance reached a criterion of >80% correct, training to elicit the whistle response to “loud to soft” tone pairs began in the same manner described above, and eventually the two tone-pair types were combined into a single session. Once the subject was able to demonstrate criterion performance to single trials of each type, the number of trials during a trial block increased. Finally, the frequencies and amplitudes of the stimuli were slowly changed, to condition the subject to generalize from the initial stimulus tone pairs to tone pairs of any frequency/amplitude combination, with the caveat that the SPL and frequency combination was such that the loudness relationship was known. The data represent the first direct measurement of equal-loudness curves in any animal and show the relationship between the frequency and subjective loudness. Loudness contours may be more appropriate for assessing behavioral effects of sound, assuming behavioral reactions are more strongly related to loudness than SPL.
Stebbins, William C. (1970). Principles of Psychophysics. In W. C. Stebbins (Ed.), Animal Psychophysics: the design and conduct of sensory experiments (pp. 1-17). New York: Appleton- Century-Crofts
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs WedneSdaY – 21 September 2011
WedneSdaY – 21 September 2011
biG momma’S HouSe tHe inteGration oF paciFic WHite-Sided dolpHinS into a Killer WHale’S enVironment
it’S not eaSY beinG “Green”! inteGratinG 1.2 JuVenile caliFornia Sea lionS (ZalopHuS caliFornianuS) into multiple pinniped Social GroupS at mYStic aQuarium
Sarah Onnen*, Marni Wood*, Heather Keenan Miami Seaquarium, Miami, Florida
Deborah J. Pazzaglia*, Kristen L. Patti, Jennifer L. Rego, Carey A. Richard, Toni L. Loschiavo Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, Connecticut
Miami Seaquairum hosts a unique multispecies show with one female killer whale (Orcinus orca) and her Pacific whitesided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) companions. Since 2004, we have been working towards establishing a successful breeding program with our Pacific white-sided dolphin population that resides in this stadium. The idea of expanding the dolphin population in the stadium was exciting, but due to the constraints of this habitat, all pregnancies were moved to a backstage area during the final few months of gestation. After the birth, they remained there until the calf was old enough to be relocated to the stadium. The successful result in 2007 was a female Pacific white-sided dolphin calf that was introduced into the whale and dolphin show habitat.
In April 2009, Mystic Aquarium acquired 1.2 California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) pups from rescue and rehabilitation facilities with an institutional goal of successfully integrating them into multiple social groups and habitats. In order to accomplish this goal, a training plan was developed to focus on the following: 1) establish a foundation for operant conditioning, 2) crate training, 3) husbandry and show behaviors, and 4) social introductions.
The introduction of any new animal to a different social structure is always of concern. Of course, due to the difference in size of the species, the first priority was the safety of a 11-month-old calf upon introduction to a 7,000 pound (3,175 kg) mature killer whale. The second goal was to keep the area open to guests while still performing adequate shows. When our first calf was moved into the stadium, this would demonstrate how successful the introduction of new animals to this environment could be. However, it was also the bond that developed between a Pacific white-sided dolphin calf and a killer whale that amazed everyone.
Upon arrival, all three animals were housed together in a temporary outdoor exhibit where the trainers continued to expand the animals’ behavioral repertoire to include basic husbandry and show behaviors. In December 2009, the male was successfully introduced and acclimated to a social group of 3.0 California sea lions in the Marine Theater show environment.
Due to the success of our first integration, we became confident in our ability to change our killer whale’s social groupings. Since our first introduction, we have effectively acclimated several other Pacific white-sided dolphins of varying ages, including another calf and four adults from various facilities.
The initial training began during the pups’ quarantine period at SeaWorld San Diego. Mystic Aquarium staff focused on foundation behaviors that included start of session (SOS), end of session (EOS), bridging stimulus, stationing, targeting, and crating. This initial training allowed for an easy transition from SeaWorld San Diego to Mystic Aquarium.
The females continued their training in the outdoor exhibit and in February 2011 were introduced to the Marine Theater social group for eight weeks. The strong foundation of crating, shifting, and stationing allowed for a smooth transition to a new social group consisting of 4.2 California sea lions. Within a few weeks, all six animals were under stimulus control and managed on stage for shows and training sessions for up to 20 minutes in duration, six times per day. Establishing an animal management plan with both training goals and milestones transformed a group of ‘green’ animals into well rounded, experienced sea lions. Future goals are to expand the flexibility of maintaining all pinnipeds at Mystic Aquarium in interchangeable social groups for shows, breeding, and interactive programming.
an inteGration oF StaFF and animalS: a SucceSS StorY Elizabeth R. Miller*, Rita Stacey, Jennifer McGee, Mark Gonka Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Illinois After years of planning, Chicago Zoological Society’s Brookfield Zoo (CZS) embarked upon a large facility renovation. To meet the needs of the renovation, CZS transported their dolphin population to a temporary location. With the help and cooperation from Minnesota Zoo and their marine mammal staff, this daunting task was completed safely and effectively. Three female bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were moved to Apple Valley, Minnesota in 2009 for a period of just over seven months into a holding pool adjacent to the resident dolphins also housed at the Minnesota Zoo. Five of the CZS Seven Seas’ marine mammal staff permanently re-located during this project to provide consistent and familiar care; while, others rotated in and out of Minnesota. The remaining CZS Seven Seas staff stayed in Chicago to care for the unaffected pinniped collection at Brookfield Zoo. In addition to integrating the staff, management had decided to integrate some of the animals as well. One juvenile female dolphin in particular, Spree, would be introduced to the CZS dolphin group during their extended visit to Minnesota Zoo’s Discovery Bay. In order to care for and manage each group of dolphins, the CZS and Minnesota Zoo staff worked hard to integrate and become one core staff with varying responsibilities. This entailed sharing everything from office space to training techniques to management philosophies. We learned about multi-facility cooperation in managing multiple populations of animals, as well as successfully completing an extensive renovation project from start to finish.
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs tHurSdaY – 22 September 2011
tHe aVerSiVeS Spectrum: WHat’S acceptable? Angi Millwood*, C. Thad Lacinak* Precision Behavior www.precisionbehavior.com Merritt Island, Florida
GeorGia aQuarium’S dolpHin taleS: SYStematic deSenSitiZation oF atlantic bottlenoSe dolpHinS (turSiopS truncatuS) Michael Hunt*, Lisa Mignogna* Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia
It has become politically incorrect for animal trainers to admit to any use of positive punishment or negative reinforcement in modifying the behavior of the animals entrusted to them. However, a cursory review of any behavioral psychology text book and an honest assessment of any training program readily substantiates that aversives remain as constant in applied settings as they are ubiquitous in the unapplied, “natural” world. Enhancement and advancement of animal training standards is best achieved through critical and honest analysis of the techniques applied by everyone in our profession. Denying the presence of aversives leaves positive-reinforcement-focused trainers vulnerable to arguments posited by force-focused trainers and by the public, rapidly becoming more fluent in training methods via media exposure.
In April 2011, Georgia Aquarium debuted, its largest expansion to date, the AT&T Dolphin Tales gallery. The 604,000 square foot addition houses interactive displays, underwater viewing, and a live theatrical show. The show incorporates dynamic performances by animals, trainers, and live actors, exciting special effects utilizing light, water, video, and dramatic costuming, all set to the storyline of an orchestrated soundtrack. The show theatre is a unique, enclosed indoor space, specially designed and built for a show incorporating seamlessly blended effects and show-stopping elements. The innovative design creates an environment to arouse the senses and evoke emotion in the audience. The special effects, however, also created a need for the implementation of a complex desensitization plan.
Once a truly honest dialog about behavioral modification techniques is established, open discussion about the severity of aversives can be undertaken. For example, the role that aversive severity plays in both the effectiveness of changing behavior and in generating side-effects can be analyzed and assessed. That would be more effectual than the current climate in which all aversives are lumped together. Not all aversives are created equal. In fact, there is a wide continuum of aversives. It is fundamental that every animal training professional understands fully the methods they enlist to elicit or to suppress behavior. Armed with an accurate outlook, trainers can make decisions regarding the techniques they use and how they represent themselves, their institutions, and our field to the public.
Desensitization is the process of exposing an animal to a stimulus using time or experience to drive the stimulus value towards neutral (IMATA, 2001). This process changes an animal’s perception of an event to a neutral perception, as evidenced by the animal’s lack of response to the event when compared with a previous baseline (Cover, 1991). In this application, the authors employed habituation (passive desensitization) and counter-conditioning (active desensitization) to acclimate animals to novel stimuli (Hurley and Holmes 1998).
america’S teacHinG Zoo: a ScHool tHat trainS trainerS Chris McGriff SAIC BioSolutions, San Diego, California
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Over a period of seven months, the systematic desensitization plan was applied to 5.6 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) during training sessions, unstructured time, and show rehearsals. The process began with acclimation to the performance pool itself, and then extended to the essential theatrical effects: audio, lighting, oscillating water sprayers, costumes, rain curtains, large above-pool screens, and finally carbon dioxide “air” cannons. The desensitization process was integral part of blending animal behavior with intense theatrical effects. This practical example of counter-conditioning and habituation was successful because the animals were systematically prepared to accept novel stimuli, to operate in a novel environment, and to interact with apparent confidence and consistency (Flaherty, 1985; Goldblatt, 1983). References
One well-known school that students attend to learn how to train and work with exotic animals is America’s Teaching Zoo. It is known to many people as Moorpark College. The Exotic Animal Training and Management program (EATM) at Moorpark, is a 22-month program that allows students to gain both education and experience working with and around exotic animals. During the program, developing students learn and use a wide set of skills. These skills include experience in using operant conditioning techniques, basic veterinary care, educating and entertaining the public, behavioral and environment enrichment, diet preparation, cleaning enclosures, working in teams, and the list goes on.
Cover, K. (1991). The Syn Alia Series on Animal Training, Volume I: Bridge and Target Technique Made Easy. Sarasota, Florida: Syn Alia Animal Training Systems.
The students that graduate from the program have knowledge and understanding of animals that helps set them apart from other prospective employees in the competitive and challenging animal industry. With over 30 years of alumni working in the animal world, America’s Teaching Zoo helped start the careers of many trainers in the industry today.
Hurley, J. & Holmes N. (1998). A review of the psychological principles and training techniques associated with desensitization. Marine Mammals: Public Display and Research, 3(1):16-26.
Flaherty, C.F. (1985). Animal Learning and Cognition: Habituation and Sensitization. New York: Knopf. Goldblatt, A. (1993). Behavioral needs of captive marine mammals. Aquatic Mammals, 19 (3):149-157
IMATA (2001). In J. Scardina-Ludwig (Ed.), Training and Behavioral Terms Glossary: pg. 5.
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs tHurSdaY – 22 September 2011
tHurSdaY – 22 September 2011
compreHenSiVe Video etHoGram on beluGa (delpHinapteruS leucaS) beHaVior
old doGS maY learn neW tricKS – adapted traininG For Geriatric marine mammalS
Carolyn A. Campbell1*, Dr. Heather M. Hill2, Dr. Andrew Vastano1 1 Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 2 St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas
Márcia Neto, Elsa Quintino, Lucie Palma*, Hugo Camacho, Carla Flanagan, Luís Roque, Joana Silva, Miguel Silveira Zoomarine, Guia - Albufeira, Portugal
Research is limited for belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) in both the wild and in the care of humans. To address this lack of knowledge, a comprehensive video ethogram of beluga behavior was created from the population of belugas located at SeaWorld San Antonio.
The longevity of marine mammal collections at main reference institutions has progressively increased due to the growing know-how and care provided by the teams responsible for the animals’ well-being (trainers, veterinarians, and biologists). Our own collection at Zoomarine Portugal now has several examples of geriatric individuals. All our marine mammals are included in our training program, the most important aspect being husbandry training.
The purpose of this study was to create an educational tool to train future research observers and to increase public awareness. A comprehensive ethogram would facilitate several goals. First, a list of behaviors with a video representation allows researchers to be trained faster and more consistently while also creating a record of documented beluga behavior. Second, the ethogram could be used as an education tool for the public by displaying it at aquariums to raise awareness by engaging the public in cetacean behavior. Video recordings were taken from above water and then imported into video editing software. Each animal was video recorded for 15 minutes two to three times a week. All video sessions were conducted when the animals were not involved in interactions with trainers, educational groups, or other people. The goal was to capture spontaneous, natural behavior, which was free from human influences. An ethogram video was compiled using the five best examples of each behavior. A good example is defined by a clear visual of the animals, good water clarity, little object obstruction, and the performance of the behavior was in different contexts. A voiceover commentary explains the behavior and possible context for each behavior set. All video clips and voiceover commentary were compiled on a DVD and organized in the following categories: Social, Displays and Communication, Object Play, Mother-Calf Relations, and Monitor Environment. A total of 103 videos were reviewed, which represented 24 hours 49 minutes of video data. Each video was examined for the best examples of each behavior of interest. Clips of these behaviors were recorded and edited together into a single video paired with a voiceover commentary to explain the clip. The video ethogram comprises 82% of the behaviors in the comprehensive ethogram. A total of 268 clips of behaviors are in the video. The full running length of the video ethogram is 1 hour 5 minutes 2.03 seconds. Of all the potential behaviors, 64% were found to be frequent and 36% were found to be rare. The video portion provides visual examples of the behavior while the voiceover commentary provides explanations.
The aging process of our marine mammals has brought with it changes in some of their capacities, especially their eyesight, hearing, and locomotion. If the training process is not conveniently adapted to these changes, many of the previously trained behaviors may see their quality affected and eventually extinguished. In terms of well being, this loss may mean that we are no longer able to collect fundamental biological information by voluntary behavior. We must also consider the enrichment component that the training will have for each individual. It is our belief that it is fundamental to maintain our animals stimulated during all the different phases of their lives, and training is a particularly relevant aspect of it. All the above-mentioned reasons have led us to begin an adapted training program specifically tailored to the vision, hearing, and other physical alterations of our dolphins and pinnipeds. The process of alteration of the stimulus of each trained behavior begins as soon as the dolphin or pinniped shows signs of losing any physical capacity. This way we try to make sure that the individual is able to learn the new stimulus for the previously learnt behavior before completely losing that capacity. With this we have managed to maintain, for example, a number of important behaviors (e.g. oral hydration, blood sampling, and ultrasound) in a deaf and blind South African fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) and in a 50-year-old bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) with limited hearing and visual abilities. The well being of geriatric marine mammals is a common concern for many institutions within our community and in that sense we would like to share the main goals as well as the strategies we used and the obstacles we overcame during the whole process.
The educational DVD of beluga behavior serves two purposes: to train researchers and educate the public. First, having a list of behaviors with a video representation improves efficiency and consistency in training researchers. The video allows researchers to have access to a source with all the behavioral definitions and visual examples. The video also creates a record of documented beluga behavior. Second, aquariums can create educational displays for the public using the ethogram. The display will hopefully raise awareness by engaging the public in cetacean behavior. Due to the lack of a comprehensive ethogram in the literature and the time consuming process of training observers, this video ethogram is a necessary and practical addition to the study of belugas.
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs tHurSdaY – 22 September 2011
SolVinG a liFe-tHreateninG reGurGitation problem in a caliFornia Sea lion tHrouGH traininG and Satiation Pablo Joury1*, Alexandre Le Blanc1, Emilie Treviglio1, Christilla Bouchet1, Candice Jourdan1, Claudia Mahtali1, Alexis Maillot1, Vanessa Alerte1, Geraldine Lacave2 1 Amneville Zoo, Amneville, France 2 Marine Mammal Veterinary Services, Brugge, Belgium In 2009 at France’s Amneville Zoo the 8-year-old, captive-born, castrated male California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) ‘Gipsy’, started to play with fish and anticipate the end of sessions. His diet and show participation were adjusted. However, by August of that year, he was leaving all sessions to regurgitate and consequently lost a lot of weight, going from 130 kg (287 lb) down to 86 kg (190 lb) at his lowest point. He had a couple of fits and was even declared dead by cardiac arrest after one fit, but unexpectedly “resuscitated” when brought away. By this time we knew we were facing a life-threatening regurgitation problem. After the veterinary department had worked through the differential diagnosis for the possible cause of these fits, we implemented several protocols with main objectives of, controlling his weight loss, maintaining his weight, and diminishing his regurgitation. These protocols included: 1) keeping him without access to water, because we had identified that he regurgitated only when having access to water. However, because you can’t keep an animal permanently out of water, we decided to start a second protocol, based this time on training, because the problem was much more likely related to boredom. 2) We taught him many new behaviors, including, medical behaviors, show behaviors and even things that were absolutely unnecessary but were just to keep him occupied. Two staff persons were dedicated to the training of Gipsy full-time during the day. We were also extremely strict in our use of operant conditioning, and, if the animal would leave his trainer to go to the water (because there, he had the possibility to regurgitate), we would stop the session and interaction for the rest of the day. We wanted the animal to learn that he had to stay with his trainer to keep interacting to be reinforced. Even though we had increased his weight and were maintaining it, we were still not successful in reducing the regurgitation. Each time he had access to the water or when he knew he could gain access to the water, he would go and start regurgitating immediately. It had become extremely self-reinforcing. As we realized it was a permanent problem, it was very difficult to dedicate two full-time staff for a whole day to only one animal, so we decided to work on a 3rd protocol. 3) Based on a paper presented years ago at IMATA by Tish Flynn, we decided to use satiation to try to fix the problem. We hired interns to make constant observations of Gipsy and keep detailed charts about his behaviors. We continued doing extra training sessions like before but very frequently we would offer him a huge container of fish, up to 20 kg (44 lb) at once. We also developed more secondary reinforcers for him, to give him access to extra food through toys, games, etc.
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trainerS aS actiVe learnerS in Human-dolpHin interactionS Diane L. Sweeney, Ed. D. Dolphin Quest and University of California, San Diego, California The purpose of this research was to investigate learning in adult human participants in human-dolphin interactions at zoological facilities. In this study, learning was viewed as a broad and dynamic sociocultural practice (Matusov & Rogoff, 1995; Vygotsky, 1978) within a community of practice (Lave & Wenger, 1991) of animal enthusiasts. There were three participant categories: (a) trainers, employees of the facilities who guided the in-water interactions of small groups of people with one or more dolphins;(b) visitors, members of the public who entered the water and interacted with the dolphins; and (c) spectators, members of the public who watched the interactions from close proximity but did not go into the water themselves. In 2008, data was collected at three Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA)-accredited sites in the United States through semi-structured, video-elicited interviews of trainers (n = 20) and visitors (n = 15), semistructured interviews of spectators (n = 16), non-participant observations (n = 16), and an electronic questionnaire of past visitors (n = 933). The interviews and the questionnaire had mostly open-ended questions. The analysis of the interview transcriptions and lengthy questionnaire responses was guided by the six strands of science learning (National Research Council, 2009) and the National Science Foundation’s Framework of Evaluating Impacts of Informal Science Education Projects (Friedman, 2008). The principle findings related to trainer learning are: (a) trainers gained new knowledge about the physiology, natural history, care, conservation, and training of dolphins; (b) trainers constructed personal meanings by connecting the brief interaction activities to experiences, beliefs, and practices outside the interaction context; (c) most trainers shifted their attitudes and gained a sense of personal agency about beginning or increasing stewardship actions; and (d) trainers honed their existing skills and learned new training skills with the animals, and expanded their interpersonal and group-management skills with the visitors. The human-dolphin interactions had a long-term impact on the trainers. The means by which the trainers learned were through full sensory immersion in the dolphins’ aquatic habitat, through teaching content and modeling positive behaviors with the animals, and through repeated experiences over time. This study revealed many interconnected potential mediators of learning, including: (a) physical aspects of the experience; (b) social aspects, such as the small-group context and sharing the experience with like-minded others; (c) each individual’s personal background and views; and (d) the broad cultural representations and expectations in the human-dolphin activity.
The satiation program worked very well with him and his time regurgitating in the water dropped from 42% to 12% within the first month of implementation. We made some mistakes along the way, but eventually all our objectives were reached. Gipsy is alive and healthy, reaching 160 kg (353 lb) this summer. He is back with the social group, performing shows, and seldom leaves the show or a training session to regurgitate.
References
As a general conclusion, we can say that regurgitation is a complex behavior that may never be completely eliminated. It is important to make sure that the animal is not losing more calories than he’s absorbing. Observation and team communication are extremely important to assess the gravity of the problem objectively. The satiation protocol works very well, however, it’s a permanent treatment. It should NEVER be stopped. An animal with such a problem needs to have a higher percentage of his time with occupational activities.
Lave, J., & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Friedman, A. J. (2008). Framework for evaluating impacts of informal science education projects: Report from a National Science Foundation workshop. Available from http://caise.insci.org/uploads/docs/Eval_ Framework.pdf
Matusov, E., & Rogoff, B. (1995). Evidence of development from people’s participation in communities of learners. In J. H. Falk & L. D. Dierking (Eds.), Public institutions for personal learning: Establishing a research agenda (pp. 97-104). Washington, DC: American Association of Museums.
References
National Research Council. (2009). Learning science in informal environments: People, places, and pursuits. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
Flynn, T. (1987). Conditions and treatment of an eating disorder in a Pacific walrus – an anecdotal report. Proceedings of the 15th annual IMATA conference, New Orleans (pp, 39-46).
Vygotsky, L. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs tHurSdaY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 22 September 2011
FridaY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 23 September 2011
dolpHin aSSiSted tHerapY at tHe dolpHinarium nuernberG: a trainerS VieW
traininG pataGonian Sea lionS (otaria FlaVeScenS) to accept Scuba diVerS into tHeir pool For cleaninG
Christiane Thiere Tiergarten Nuernberg, Nuernberg, Germany
Kate L. Broad Colchester Zoo, Colchester, Essex, England
In 1999 the Nuremberg Zoo was approached by the University of Wurzburg to see if they were interested in participating in a research project on Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT). The researchers were particularly interested in whether or not communication skills, socio-emotional skills, and child-parent interactions were altered by DAT in families with children with disabilities.
Colchester Zoo has a group of five Patagonian sea lions (Otaria flavescens). The pool has an underwater viewing area comprising of a tunnel and three windows. Chlorine is no longer used in this system and we use scuba diving to clean the acrylic daily. During the cleaning, which is during opening hours of the park, the sea lions are removed from the main pool and have access to an off show area. This causes two problems; (1) visitors are not able to view the sea lions during this time, and (2) it has an effect on one of the sea lions behavior. Faced with these dilemmas, we set about planning a training program desensitizing two of our five sea lions to having divers present in the pool with them, and we have achieved success.
Despite a rigorous schedule and little experience in the field, dolphin training staff at the Nuremberg Zoo recognized the wonderful opportunity they were being offered, and decided to accept the challenge. There were challenges, problem solving, and successes experienced throughout the course of the program.
action learninG! Marten Foppen1*, Antoinette P. M. Lukken1*, Mark. E. C. Meijering2, Anne L. Jongeneel2 1 Dolfinarium Harderwijk, the Netherlands 2 Helicon Opleidingen, Velp, the Netherlands In 2009/2010 Dolfinarium Harderwijk and Helicon Opleidingen in Velp started a unique collaboration project. The goal of this project is to offer students the chance to learn in an inspiring environment. Previous studies have proved that learning in a motivational environment has better results than learning in a classroom. Knowledge about how to teach a lesson is available through any College of Further Education, in this case at, Helicon Opleidingen. Dolfinarium Harderwijk, being an authentic learning environment, has years of experience and knowledge in the care and training of marine mammals. By combining this knowledge, based on a correct method of teaching, students are able to have a better learning experience. By sharing their knowledge, Dolfinarium Harderwijk creates a talented pool of potential employees. Instead of lessons in a sterile classroom, students stay internally at Dolfinarium Harderwijk for one week. During this fiveday course, students get theoretical lessons and put what they have learned into practice. The courses are spread over three years of study. Each year, one five-day course provides information that suits the basic information of that college year, and provides some in depth knowledge on several subjects such as training, husbandry, and anatomy. In the first course, students get basic information about Dolfinarium Harderwijk, the animals in the park, their husbandry, and learning principals. During the second course, more information is provided on anatomy, psychology, enrichment, and a continuation of basic information. Besides the animal-based information, there is emphasis on personal development/growth through communication training. In the third course, the students assist the animal trainers and experience the daily routine at the Dolfinarium Harderwijk. The students also gain hands-on knowledge of the training and care of marine mammals.
deVelopinG an interactiVe SWim proGram WitH na Ve, adult, paciFic Harbor SealS (pHoca Vitulina) Amy Spaulding*, Sarah Graff Miami Seaquarium, Miami, Florida Increasing the Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) population has always been a goal for Miami Seaquarium. This became a reality on 10 March 2009 when Miami Seaquarium received 2.3 Pacific harbor seals on a breeding loan from Gulf World Marine Park, in Panama City Beach, Florida. The collection was introduced to the community pool and trainers began brainstorming on training objectives. The first objective was to create a successful breeding program. This occurred naturally, and with three births in two years, the breeding loan was considered a huge success. The second objective was to implement a structured training program and develop an interactive swim program. Although the seals were all adults, the animals had very limited training, knew only a handful of behaviors and were not previously conditioned to remain at control for any length of time. Additional challenges included sight impairments, no water desensitization, and their feeder pool habitat. In one year, a 20-minute in-water interaction session was trained to include up to six park guests and provides: photo opportunities, an educational husbandry portion, interactive mimic behaviors, and a unique snorkel section. The staff, ranging in experience from apprentice to senior trainer, reconditioned the seals from the ground up creating a successful seal interaction program.
After the first course, a follow-up evaluation showed that students learned more than they normally would have learned in a classroom. Moreover, students are enthusiastic about the newly offered five-day Dolfinarium Harderwijk course. Not only because of the knowledge gained about the animals, but the personal development of the students was an important result as well. Thus far the courses have been very positive and informative for both the students and the instructors at Helicon Opleidingen and Dolfinarium Harderwijk. Up to now the courses are experienced as very positive and informative by both students and the two providers, Helicon Opleidingen and Dolfinarium Harderwijk.
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs FridaY – 23 September 2011
an innoVatiVe approacH to traininG GueSt interaction WitH aSian Small claWed otterS (aonYX cinerea) Valerie Greene*, Kelly Flaherty Clark SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida Millions of guests are affected by SeaWorld’s animal attractions every year, and its icon, ‘Shamu’ is synonymous with the park’s name all over the world. While community service, outreach, education, and conservation messages have been a part of SeaWorld’s very DNA for more than 40 years, for obvious reasons, the park cannot bring Shamu along on these excursions. Over the years SeaWorld has developed a unique team of Animal Ambassadors that carry these messages outside the park boundaries. One species on the animal ambassador team is the Asian small-clawed otter, chosen to be a symbol of a variety of affected animals while educating audiences about conservation. In SeaWorld’s animal training program, guest interaction otters were historically trained using basic operant conditioning methods, and primary reinforcement was available during tactile interaction. The application of primary reinforcement, combined with the short attention span and potential for aggressive response characteristic of Asian otters, contributed to some behavior refusal and complications with traveling. In 2007 and 2008, two litters, each 1.1 of Asian small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinerea) were born to the SeaWorld Orlando SSP program. Because young animals are often good candidates for guest interaction, management challenged the training team to condition the otters to travel easily, adapt to new environments quickly, accept tactile from strangers, and be able to be handled by a company spokesperson. Upon weaning, all four otter kits born at SeaWorld in 20072008 (‘Boris’, ‘Natasha’, ‘Dunder’ and ‘Mifflin’) were placed into a new training program.
FridaY – 23 September 2011
traininG leopard SealS For reSearcH proJectS Danielle L Fox*, Elio E Bombonato* Taronga Conservation Society, Taronga, Australia Taronga Zoo has housed leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) since the mid 1960’s. According to ISIS records, our current leopard seals are the only two captive leopard seals in the world. Naturally found in Antarctica, leopard seals have proven to be a difficult species to study and therefore understand. Studying leopard seals can be challenging due to their geographical isolation, and inaccessibility for on-going monitoring and research. As Taronga is fortunate enough to house one of world’s most elusive seal species, we have a unique and rare opportunity to learn more about the species through research, behavioral studies, and training. Taronga’s two leopard seals, Casey (male) and Sabine (female), arrived in September 2007. Casey was estimated at one year of age and Sabine at approximately three years. Both seals were found hauled out on beaches on Sydney’s coastline extremely emaciated, suffering from various wounds, and required urgent veterinary attention. After months of intensive rehabilitation, training, and planning, Casey and Sabine were introduced to each other as they moved into their new home in the Great Southern Oceans precinct at Taronga Zoo. Casey and Sabine are now the focus of several research projects by scientists from the Australian Marine Mammal Research Centre (AMMRC). These studies include; acoustics, breeding studies and stable isotope analysis. It is anticipated that some of the findings of the research will provide a unique insight into these little known predatory species as they face the threat of a rapidly changing environment.
Our objective with the otters was a challenging one: we would train the animals to accept new environments and situations by capitalizing on an already conditioned reinforcement history (relationship). This relationship would be conditioned during interaction that implemented unconditioned reinforcement (no primary). In the end, if the relationship was conditioned appropriately, the otters should trust that their trainer would not expose them to negative situations. The novel approach also incorporated a training regimen in which the otter kits received unlimited intake throughout the day, and food was never associated with play, tactile, or pick up behaviors. Additionally, the timing of the initial interactions were strategic in that they occurred following a feeding session in which the otters ate to satiation. This “fed up” state ensured the otters would not exhibit unwanted behavior typically associated with hunger drive. Early on, trainers identified that Boris and Dunder were better candidates for the guest interaction program than Natasha and Mifflin. Whether gender plays a role in this would require a much larger sample size, but in our experiences, the male of each litter progressed while the females’ behavior regressed as they matured. The conditioning program implemented provided for the same interaction schedule and type with each otter, yet the females presented the training team with challenges that eventually proved not worth addressing. Ultimately, the female otters joined the show performance team where they were handled less, and primary reinforcement was associated with conditioned behaviors. The training program implemented with Boris, Natasha, Dunder and Mifflin was a success. The steps taken were tailored towards progress, reaction to setbacks, and a description of the individual otter temperaments. This knowledge will teach others how to identify the best candidate for an interaction program, and of how SeaWorld’s innovative approach produced the two docile guest interaction otters.
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forMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs FridaY – 23 September 2011
WHat’S a deSY? and doeS lucY KnoW He’S plaYinG WitH dolpHinS? enricHment aS entertainment: For dolpHinS and GueStS Jodi Skjegstad*, Don Lang, Dr. Kelly Jaakkola, Emily Guarino, Mandy Rodriguez, Jane Hecksher, Linda Erb Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, Florida Dolphin Research Center (DRC) is a natural lagoon facility located on the Gulf of Mexico. Both natural and interactive enrichment plays an important role each day in the lives of our dolphins, staff, and guests. As marine mammal facilities, we still frequently battle the uninformed public perception that our dolphins’ lives are somehow ‘less’ than they would be if they were wild dolphins. Our public presentations can serve to teach our guests how well adjusted, healthy, and happy our dolphins are. What better way to show how your friends feel about their lives, than to show them playing? This year Dolphin Research Center began featuring our enrichment sessions as part of our public presentations. This idea was born and grew to be one of the most popular narrations with our guests. One of the featured enrichment tools in our presentations is a device developed and created at DRC. The Dolphin Entertainment System (DESY) was first conceived as a part of the medical care for Gypsi, our 4-year-old female who was ingesting sea grass. We designed the system to provide enrichment for Gypsi, in hopes that she would be distracted from eating the seaweed that floats into our lagoons. We quickly discovered that the other dolphins were fascinated with the DESY and it became a regular part of our daily presentations. DESY is a simple, battery-operated device; the dolphins can manipulate underwater paddles to receive a variety of enrichment ‘rewards’. The creation of DESY had glitches along the way, and training the dolphins to interact with it took creativity. Enrichment adds flavor and fun to life! We should constantly be striving to offer our marine mammal friends new, creative ideas - both in our sessions with them and in their free time. Each dolphin is an individual and the one who loves playing with people on surfboards may not like water squirting out into the pool, and vice versa. Variety really is the spice of life, and we have incorporated novelty into our animals’ daily lives.
FridaY – 23 September 2011
Sea lion, Sea lion... WHat do You See? Heather Hill, PhD1*, Stan Kuczaj2, PhD, Moby Solangi3, Marci Romagnoli3, Amy Salmela3, Krista Webber4, Alicia Kemery4, Marcy Bacchus4, Brett Posey4, Beth Schaefer4 1 St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas 2 University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 3 Institute for Marine Mammal Studies; Marine Animal Productions, Gulfport, Mississippi 4 Houston Zoo, Inc, Houston, Texas The ability to use a mirror to locate objects is a cognitive ability that indicates an understanding of the properties of reflective surfaces and the spatial representation of the environment. Over 10 years ago, we tested three sea lions (Zalophus californianus) on their ability to detect an object using a mirror. These sea lions successfully located different objects across three different locations with an average of 80% accuracy. Through a new collaboration with the Houston Zoo, we attempted to replicate and extend the original study with three new sea lions. The results of these two studies indicate that sea lions understand the basic properties of mirror reflections and are able to use them functionally. Additional research is needed to fully understand the extent to which sea lions understand the reflective properties of mirrors. During the training process, we discovered successes, failures, and opportunities for the future in the areas of on-going research, training, and advocacy for the species within our community.
enricHment proGram oF tHe marine mammal department at ocean parK HonG KonG Claire Ma*, Gavin Choi* Ocean Park Hong Kong, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, SAR, China The goals of environmental enrichment are to encourage animals to use their natural abilities, promote species appropriate behavioral and mental activities offering a sense of control by allowing them to make choices, and have new experiences. At Ocean Park, the Marine Mammal Department provides the marine mammals under our care with a variety of enrichment experiences. An Environmental Enrichment Committee was formed to create an integrated enrichment program that is effective throughout the Marine Mammal Department. There are different categories of enrichment that our animals experience. How the committee implements the enrichment program also varies. The importance of environmental enrichment in animal welfare, for example utilizing enrichment to desensitize animals to husbandry behaviors and the ability utilize secondary reinforcers, enhances training procedures.
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Poster PresentAtion ABstrActs tHe preFerence oF enricHment toY bY tHree bottlenoSe dolpHinS Ayumi Makita, Chigusa Yamamoto, Ituki Hiraiwa, Kiko Matumoto & Madoka Nagaoka Osaka Communication Art College, Osaka, Japan Introducing toys is considered an important part of environmental enrichment for the animals of zoos and aquariums. In fact, therapeutic effects to alleviate problematic behaviors such as stereotypic behaviors are reported in various animals. However, it is very difficult to find appropriate toys for an animal. Firstly, because we can’t ask animals, “Which do you like?” Secondly, many factors may have influence on the preference of toys of an animal, such as species characteristics, sex, age, and even individual characteristics. In this research, we introduced six different toys in pairs to three bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), one male and two females. Each toy differs from other toys in material, structure, and potential ways to play with. We particularly focused on the following three aspects 1) the preference of toys, 2) the way to play with toys, 3) and individual difference on 1) and 2). Our results suggest there are individual differences on the preference of toys and the way to play with a toy. This is preliminary research and we need to increase to more subjects to examine, sex, age difference, influence of behavioral training, and environment. With better understanding of the influence of these factors, we would like to see if there are any species-specific preferences on features of toys. Finally, individual difference on the preference of the type of toy and the type of play behaviors may reflect psychological characteristics of an individual dolphin. Thus, our research methodology may lead us to develop ways to examine the personality of dolphins.
mirror, mirror on tHe beacH Alicia L. Kemery1, Heather M. Hill, PhD2 1 Houston Zoo, Houston, Texas 2 St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas The Houston Zoo sea lion team celebrates innovation by aspiring to continually progress and create positive change for the animals, trainers, and guests. Our small but highly ambitious department was offered the prospect for innovation by participating in a research study on mirror reflection and object discrimination in sea lions. The addition of a research component for a small team with young California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) was challenging, but provided ample opportunity for growth. Our training program advanced as we learned to become more flexible and adaptable throughout the research process. The experience proved rewarding for all when trainers and sea lions learned new skills and our guests had the chance to experience the value of research.
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traininG a male Killer WHale (orcinuS orca) For conditioned Semen Sample collection in mundo marino, arGentina J. H. Rebollo1, M. F. Speciale1, D. I. Mininni1, C. D. Tompkins2, M. A. Galán2 1 Mundo Marino, Buenos Aires, Argentina 2 SeaWorld Orlando, Florida Mundo Marino’s male killer whale (Orcinus orca), ‘Kshamenk’, is housed with a female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Both animals are estimated to be 24-years-old and considered sexually mature. To assess reproductive characteristics such as fecundity and fertility, in 2008 trainers initiated a behavioral program with the intent of collecting semen from Kshamenk during conditioning sessions. Recognition of the role played by a female Tursiops in promoting sexual arousal was key to the success of this program. Therefore, situations when Kshamenk became sexually aroused by this female they were positively reinforced. This resulted in an increase in frequency of erections, which was trained to be prompted with a discriminative stimulus. A series of desensitization sessions of the genital region that eventually led to the use of an artificial vagina (AV) were undertaken. By 2010, semen samples were being successfully and consistently obtained.
uSe oF proVen capture and releaSe metHodS to diSentanGle a dolpHin calF From recreational FiSHinG Gear Steve P. Burton, Juli D. Goldstein, DVM, Stephen D. McCulloch Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, Ft. Pierce, Florida We performed two NMFS-approved interventions to capture and release the same dolphin mother/calf pair (Tursiops truncatus) to remove life-threatening fishing gear, and to further treat and evaluate the dolphin calf in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida. Methods included use of proven health assessment capture and restraint protocols utilized to facilitate a well expedited and efficient means to relieve anthropogenic stressors. The dolphin calf was successfully disentangled on two occasions (January 2011 and May 2011) and presently remains gear free. The pattern of repeated entanglement suggests the need to develop a suitable action plan, including post-release monitoring and development of regional education/outreach regarding responsible use and disposal of monofilament fishing gear.
an analYSiS oF modiFYinG an aVerSiVe StimuluS to a reinForcer in a SinGle bottlenoSe dolpHin (turSiopS truncatuS) Brittany K. Johnson2 & Holli C. Byerly¹ ¹Dolphins Plus, Inc., Key Largo, Florida 2 Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Florida Aversion can affect an animal’s performance, causing stress or decreasing participation. Operant conditioning (e.g. shaping, desensitizing) in small approximations, gives animals the ability to overcome fear to a stimulus. This study quantified time and number of trials (N = 47) required to shape an aversive stimulus into a reinforcer. Data were collected based on observable behavioral changes (e.g. breaking station, latency, avoidance behavior), using a 3-point scale. Levels of aversion decreased significantly with the implementation of the new training regimen (ANOVA: F (11, 36) = 17.35, p < 0.05), altering the perception of the aversive stimulus. This investigation suggests that shaping behaviors can eliminate an animal’s fear of a stimulus and proves the need and validity of systematically examining the training processes involved with decreasing aversion.
HuSbandrY traininG & enricHment For a blind Sea turtle Holly West, Amber Avestruz, Katharine Nicolaisen, Joseph Gaspard Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Sarasota, Florida ‘Hang Tough’ is a sub-adult green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) that was admitted into Mote’s Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital in 1992 for severe head trauma from a human induced injury. This animal was deemed blind and non-releasable and later became a permanent resident at Mote Aquarium. There are two current husbandry behaviors that staff is working to fully train Hang Tough to do voluntarily; platform and stretcher training. Both of these behaviors have been trained using operant conditioning and successive approximations to reach the final positioning. The platform behavior allows for voluntary blood draws from the back of the neck, voluntary weights, and better access to body and flippers for basic check-ups or other veterinary procedures. A specially designed turtle stretcher was made to the animal’s dimensions and is used to restrain the turtle primarily through limiting the mobility of its powerful front flippers.
an eXamination oF SuperStitiouS beHaViorS oF tWo HearinG impaired bottlenoSe dolpHinS (turSiopS truncatuS) Hada M. Herring1, Holli C. Byerly2 Florida International University, Miami, Florida 2 Dolphins Plus, Inc., Key Largo, Florida
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Superstitious behaviors have been documented in various species, usually resulting from adventitious reinforcement by trainers. If heavily reinforced, the behaviors can become extremely difficult to extinguish. Additionally, a relationship between animals with physical/mental impairments (e.g., hearing-loss, hippocampal damage) and superstitious behaviors may exist. In this study, two rescued, deaf bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were observed for their superstitious behaviors. A total of 60 sessions were assessed (nCastaway = 28, nPanama = 32). Observable trends were quantified by the occurrence of a specific behavior requested before superstitious behaviors, thresholds, as well as trainer consequence. Although additional empirical studies are needed on superstitious behaviors of marine mammals, this analysis can serve as a case study and example for a systematic approach in assessing superstitious behaviors.
mY acHY breaKY Heart a VoluntarY eKG on a limited contact male caliFornia Sea lion Amy L. Spaulding, Dr. Maya Rodriguez, DVM Miami Seaquarium, Miami, Florida At only 3-years-old ‘Moose’, a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), started his life with a challenge. The trainers noticed that Moose had begun to develop a cataract in his left eye. Veterinary staff routinely monitored his eye and the cataracts progression. Now at 9-years-old, one of the options discussed was cataract surgery. In order to be a candidate, Moose needed an electrocardiogram or EKG. The test would determine if his heart was healthy enough to make him a candidate for anesthesia. The EKG training process included a squeeze pen, four attachment leads, and required a duration of two minutes without reinforcement or movement. Moose completed the training process in under six months and is ready for his next step - surgery.
Incorporating novel enrichment devices and husbandry training sessions into the daily care of Hang Tough considerably changed this turtle’s overall behavior. The success of the training and enrichment programs was highlighted by Hang Tough’s move into an 18,000 gallon (68,000 l) habitat that was designed specifically for him in 2009.
Proceedings 2011
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Poster PresentAtion ABstrActs cHallenGeS oF in Water interactionS WitH Harbor SealS (pHoca Vitulina)
a preliminarY looK at iron StoraGe diSeaSe in common bottlenoSe dolpHinS
Karen L. Nevin, Sarah J. Dawson Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Melissa J. Zabojnik, Rita Stacey, Jennifer McGee, Mark Gonka Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, Illinois
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s interactive program, Harbor Seal Splash, began in 2003, featuring our entire collection of five male Harbor seals. Its early success played an important role in our becoming the first “pinnipeds only” accredited member of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. Today, it is considered one of the aquariums most unique and important educational programs. Although its popularity and success has continued over the past eight years, aging animals and progressive health issues have also become more prevalent. We implemented successful strategies to help ensure continued quality programs for participants and our seals.
enricHment For aGinG bottlenoSe dolpHinS (turSiopS truncateS) in Human care Heidi Lyn, Tim Hoffland, Delphine Shannon, Moby Solangi Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, Gulfport, Mississippi It is well established that an enrichment program is an important tool for improving the mental and physical wellbeing of animals in human care. In the case where animals are compromised in some way, for example, aging, the attention to this type of program is even more important. Most zoos and aquaria have instituted enrichment programs, but unfortunately, the scientific monitoring and assessment of these programs have been employed less often. Two dolphins currently housed at The Institute For Marine Mammal Studies were tested with multiple enrichment items. All data was taken between feeding sessions and included habitat usage, object interaction, social interaction (between the dolphins and/or with people), as well as unwanted behaviors, for instance, regurgitation. Successful interventions included enrichment in multiple modalities and choice and control over enrichment and social interactions. These new data provide additional information for caretakers to appropriately care for an aging population within the world’s aquariums.
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Iron storage disease is seemingly becoming more prevalent in captive populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). A small subset of dolphins’ liver and iron values were examined as well as the iron level in the fish types (herring, capelin, mackerel, squid, and sardines) most commonly fed to dolphins in marine mammal facilities. Dolphins in Sarasota Bay, for example, have a completely different diet. We propose a more comprehensive study to determine whether an animal’s diet can significantly change their iron level. Our goal is to research and compare the dietary consumption of iron in wild dolphins versus dolphins in human care.
WeaninG a parent-reared caliFornia Sea lion pup uSinG poSitiVe traininG tecHniQueS Jessica S. Jenkins Denver Zoo, Denver, Colorado Weaning a parent-reared California sea lion pup (Zalophus californianus) presents numerous challenges. Many methods involve separating mom and pup for several weeks to encourage the pup to eat fish because it can no longer rely on their mother’s milk. Following the birth of our pup, advice was sought from other facilities to help us develop a plan. Denver Zoo decided to treat this process like any other behavior. We wanted to use a positive approach to wean our young female pup without fully separating the pair, which would more closely resemble their natural history. A training plan was developed that would introduce her to fish and would progress her towards eating a variety of fish types, starting with live minnows. A bridge was incorporated at the very beginning after she was eating the minnows and was used throughout the process. At each stage in the plan, she was reinforced with the fish type of the previous step to encourage her to eat the new fish type. This positive reinforcement based method encouraged her to mouth the fish and she eventually ate each new fish type presented to her. Although most sessions were done with her alone, some were done in the same pool as and next to her mother. Cold weather and some uncontrollable circumstances caused a few setbacks and slowed our progression but we overcame these obstacles and we were able to successfully wean her before her first birthday. After she was weaned, her training progressed rather quickly due to her reinforcement history with her trainer and understanding of a bridge. Mom and pup continue to be housed together with the rest of our pinnipeds and both continue to progress with their individual training plans.
StormY WeatHer aHead Scott Hjerling, Trisha Fausel, Sarah Stuve, Kristine Funk, Ashley Benson Coral World Ocean Park, United States Virgin Islands Storm season in the Caribbean lasts nearly half the calendar year, making hurricane preparation a top priority for Coral World. For the marine mammal staff, this means executing a plan to safely relocate our 4.0 South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) in the event of an incoming storm and potential destruction of the outdoor, oceanfront enclosures. The Marine Gardens building is a concrete, air-conditioned structure utilized to temporarily house the sea lions during a severe storm. Maintenance procedures have been developed to quickly transform the room from a guest exhibit to a safe animal enclosure. The voluntary group evacuation to the building is a challenging behavior that is continuously maintained throughout the year. The planning and preparation has led to successful relocations during both the 2009 and 2010 hurricane seasons.
reHabilitation oF bottlenoSe dolpHin WitH SeVere lateral ScolioSiS (Spinal curVature) Delano Springer, Teri Corbett Dolphin Cay Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas Dolphin Cay Atlantis is home to the most advanced marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation center in the Bahamas and members of the Bahamas Marine Mammal Stranding Network. In 2011, Dolphin Cay reported the successful rescue and transport of a beached dolphin from West Andros Island to Paradise Island for medical care and rehabilitation. This animal was the second live stranded marine mammal brought to Atlantis and the first ever bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Steps were taken to rehab this animal with severe lateral scoliosis (spinal curvature) and severe sunburn to the dorsal area.
VrrV: it’S JuSt a roll oF tHe dice maKinG VariabilitY a realitY For You
built From ScratcH: brinGinG dolpHinS to atlanta
Jacob G. Berman Miami Seaquarium, Miami, Florida
Michael Hunt, Lisa Mignogna, Rachel Friedman, Ann Hoedt Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia
Are you stuck in an unvaried and boring reinforcement system? Do you find yourself wondering where you could begin a Variable Ratio of Reinforcement Variety (VRRV) system?
Dolphins have traditionally been the most requested animal by guests to Georgia Aquarium. The Aquarium has responded to the public’s interest by completing the addition of the 1.8 million gallon (6.8 million liter) Dolphin Tales gallery. Encompassing a total of over 600,000 square feet (5.6 hectares or 55,700 sq m), the new gallery includes an entrance lobby featuring a 25-foot (7.62 m) long underwater viewing window, where guests get an up-close look at the dolphins. Video displays and educational presentations imparting facts and information on the animals, alongside conservation messages, are incorporated throughout the gallery. Just beyond the dolphin lobby, guests journey into the gallery’s expansive performance theatre, seating more than 1,800 guests. The Dolphin Tales show incorporates dolphin behavior with professional actors, theatrical lighting, special effects, and a Broadway-style musical score that compliments animal interactions unlike anything seen before at Georgia Aquarium.
Proceedings 2011
The VRRV Dice Game is a fun way to help your staff implement a VRRV system into training sessions, not just talk about it. Research shows a variable system can solve an array of problems from aggression to lethargy to substandard criteria. By rolling two dice with secondary reinforcers and variable ratio options on them, we are able to make our shows, training sessions, and interactions more stimulating for our animals. The implementation of The VRRV Dice Game increased trainer involvement with, and excitement for, a variable reinforcement system. In turn, our animals were able to reap the benefits of this system. This simple game proves that employing a VRRV system at your facility can be both attainable and beneficial for your animals and staff.
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Poster PresentAtion ABstrActs traininG a paciFic bottlenoSe dolpHin For medical manaGement oF oral leSionS Francisco Rebolledo, Benjamin J. Doshner, Wayne F. Phillips, Dr. Paola Smolensky, Hector Morelos, Rafael Amaro Dolphin Adventure, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico At Dolphin Adventure we pride ourselves on having a well-maintained voluntary medical management program and philosophy. When confronted with the medical management challenge of on-going diagnosis, treatment, and care of oral lesions in a lactating Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus gilli), we decided to manage the situation for as long and as best we could using voluntary management techniques. By using this approach, we were able to take multiple biopsies, perform multiple cryosurgeries, and daily follow-up treatments to the tongue of one of our mature aged, lactating, Pacific bottlenose dolphins.
SWirlS and tWirlS: tHe eFFicacY oF brieF epiSodeS oF noVel Human moVementS aS enricHment in tHree cetacean SpecieS Sydney Sans1, Adrienne Salerno1, Nic Hayne2, Michael Noonan1 1 Canisius College, Buffalo New York, 2 Marineland of Canada, Niagara Falls Ontario The efficacy of novel human motions as sources of enrichment was investigated in three species of cetaceans (Orcinus orca, Tursiops truncatus, Delphinapterus leucas). These Human Motion Enrichment Procedures (HMEPs) consisted of bicycle riding, ribbon swirl, two-person dance, basketball toss, hula-hoop twirl, kayak paddle twirl, umbrella motions, peek-a-boo, stuffed dog movements, and flashlight waving. Each HMEP was performed during morning hours in front of underwater viewing windows, every other day for one week. The number of animals positioned within one meter (3.28 ft) of the window was compared to control periods utilizing a repeated-measured ANOVA (ANalysis Of VAriance between groups). Overall, the measure of animals present during HMEPs was four times greater than during the control periods (p < .01). This effect was most pronounced with the dolphins and least effective with the orca. There was a marked decrease in effectiveness across days, and across minutes within days (p < .01). These findings support the use of HMEPs as easy and effective forms of enrichment for captive cetaceans. However, the findings also suggest that it is important to limit the duration and number of repetitions of each new form of HMEP.
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Sea lion interactionS at dolpHin caY, atlantiS - tHe baHamaS Angelique Cartwright, Russell Morgan, Teri Corbett, Al Kelley Dolphin Cay Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas Dolphin Cay is home to 16 sea lions and 38 bottlenose dolphins and was built in just 18 months, from 2005 – 2007. During the inception and building phase of Dolphin Cay, sea lions weren’t part of in our plans. However, when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Marine-life Oceanarium in Gulfport, Mississippi, our plans were suddenly changed. Atlantis then welcomed its first sea lion residents, a great addition for sure! Atlantis now has tours, meet and greets with photos and a very successful sea lion interaction program.
an analYSiS oF tHe aFFectS oF Water temperature and reproductiVe StatuS on caloric intaKe in turSiopS truncatuS in ambient Sea Water FacilitieS Juliana K. McCarthy1, 2, Holli C. Byerly1, 2, Robin J. Bates1, 2, Jill L. Richardson1, 2, 3 1 Dolphins Plus, Inc., Key Largo, Florida 2 Dolphins Cove, Inc., Key Largo, Florida 3 Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, Florida Several studies have examined the consumption patterns and energy requirements of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), yet little is known about how these values change with respect to reproductive status and fluctuations in water temperature. This study involved a comparative assessment of the caloric intake of two resident, Atlantic bottlenose dolphin populations, with respect to gender, reproductive state, and water temperature (range: 7.2 - 35°C (44.9 - 95°F)). Weekly caloric intake, based on pre-determined caloric values (Dairy One Ithaca, Inc.) of each dietary component, was calculated for adult males (n = 5) and females in the following reproductive states: pregnant/lactating (n = 2), pregnant/non-lactating (n = 6), non-pregnant/lactating (n = 5), and non-pregnant/non-lactating (n = 5) over the course of 12-24 months. Although additional research on caloric consumption of bottlenose dolphins is needed, these data can serve as a baseline for the development of managed care husbandry protocol and as a comparative tool for wild analyses.
Got milK? motHer nurture and nutrition For a caliFornia Sea lion pup Lyndsey L. Nelson, Maya Rodruiquez DVM Miami Seaquarium, Miami, Florida On 11 April 2011, ‘Bayou’, a 16-year-old female California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) gave birth to a healthy female pup named ‘Tuna’. However, after hours of attempted nursing, it was determined that Bayou wasn’t producing an adequate amount of milk. The decision was made to intervene, but there was concern since previously hand-raised sea lion pups had developed more aggressive tendencies. A plan was created where the pup was provided the necessary nutrition, while leaving the responsibilities of rearing the pup to Bayou. Tuna, eventually learned to follow Bayou into a dry pen for tube feedings, and then Bayou was conditioned to leave Tuna in the pen. The trainers spent time with Tuna in the pen before and after feedings to create a positive relationship. Tuna was provided proper nutrition from the trainers with the most “hands off approach” possible, while leaving the socialization and behavioral development to her mother.
VoluntarY GaStroScope procedure WitH laVaGe - metHod and conditioninG WitH a turSiopS truncatuS Debbie Esmonde-White, Gabrielle Harris, Caryl Knox uShaka Sea World, Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa In February 2010, ‘Kelpie’, a 3.65-meter-long (12 ft), 400 kilogram (880 lb) bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) at uShaka Sea World, swallowed a deflated plastic ball. To ensure his safety while a veterinary team devised tools and equipment to retrieve the object, we trained ‘Kelpie’ to participate in voluntary gastro-scoping to monitor the animal’s digestive system and the foreign body. Training included devising methods to ensure that the scope equipment did not get damaged during the voluntary procedures. Furthermore, there was a need to ensure that visibility during scoping was optimal. To achieve this, the animal was trained to accept a stomach wash (lavage). This conditioning has enabled us to monitor the foreign body and will reduce the time that the animal is restrained during the retrieval procedure. Reinforcement for the voluntary procedure is secondary to ensure that visibility is not compromised.
Proceedings 2011
maGic rinG beHaVior oF beluGaS (delpHinapteruS leucaS) Yoko Mori, Isao Otsuji, Koji Adachi Shimane Aquariums AQUAS, Shimane, Japan Previously, AQUAS has reported on the training of a bubble ring behavior to Beluga whales. Originally, three Belugas were observed to produce a kind of bubble ring. One beluga produced the ring from their mouth by using their own exhaled air, the other Beluga exhaled air from their blow hole, and the third by taking air in at the surface of the water. We decided to train this behavior by putting it under stimulus control for the public presentation. This would be used to explain the physiological and behavioral characteristics of Belugas. For this, we applied operant conditioning techniques. A trainer provided the air form his or her mouth to a Beluga’s mouth and a sign is given to produce a ring. Since then, our Belugas have developed more sophisticated bubble ring behaviors by themselves. One of those, we called ‘Magic ring’; a beluga first blows water from its mouth so as to make a bubble ring but with no air. In this manner, the water turbulence or a kind of water ring is developed in front of the Beluga. Then, immediately after this, the Beluga exhales the air from its blow hole to add the air to the water ring. By doing this, a big bubble ring suddenly appears like a magic, thus we named it as “Magic ring”. At this moment, precise mechanism of how does a beluga recognize and chance the water turbulence and the dynamics to cause this ring are unclear. However, this might be the one of the rare instances that show an animal can create a non-functional behavior, in other words a play behavior, and even modify or evolve the play behavior. This behavior suggests belugas have the capability of sophisticated mental representation and means-end reasoning capacity. Currently, we have also successfully put this behavior under stimulus control. In future, we can use this behavior for our public presentations which will enhance the public appreciation of Beluga whales.
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inforMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs WHen bottlenoSe meetS broadWaY: GeorGia aQuarium’S dolpHin taleS Michael Hunt, Lisa Mignogna Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia The story of Dolphin Tales is narrated by the show’s principle character, the StarSpinner, a mysterious adventurer and storyteller who leads the audience through an interactive journey across the oceans and through the ages. Throughout a mythical journey of good versus evil, aided by the guidance of the dolphin cast and engaging audience interactions, guests are on the edge of their seats one moment, and soothed by an aquatic ballad the next. Emmy-award winning producers and directors developed the production in concert with a world-class team of talented individuals, assembled from the worlds of television, film, and Broadway. An original musical score was written and composed by renowned composer Tim Williams, and recorded by a 61-piece orchestra at Sony Pictures Studios in Los Angeles. Nearly three years in the making, Dolphin Tales has proven itself to be an extraordinary performance that is not only a first of its kind for the aquarium, but one that sets a new standard for live theatrical entertainment.
tHe cHallenGe oF HandraiSinG a caliFornia Sea lion pup Christiane Thiere Tiergarten Nuernberg, Nuernberg, Germany In 2008 ‘Farah’, an old but experienced sea lion (Zalophus californianus), gave birth to her 9th baby. She was not able to produce enough milk even after medical treatment. The only chance for the pup to survive was for staff to try to hand- raise it. This would be a challenge not just from the zookeeper’s point of view, but because hand-raising is against the philosophy of the Nuernberg Zoo. But the real problems began after the permission to hand- raise the female sea lion were given. First the trainers faced difficulties in getting the ingredients for the milk. Second, they had to deal with an infection in the pup. Last but not least, after tubing the baby for a while, it refused to actively swallow again. However, despite all these difficulties, the trainers got her to eat on her own.
diVinG into aGGreSSion Ricky C. Brush Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, California
momS maKe tHe beSt trainerS! capitaliZinG on imitation WHen traininG YounG atlantic bottlenoSe dolpHinS Sarah E. Brignac Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, Florida It’s no secret in the training world that marine mammals are capable of learning many different types of behaviors through imitation. At Dolphin Research Center (DRC) we capitalize on our dolphins’ natural ability to mimic one another when training our young Atlantic bottlenose. Rather than waiting until after weaning or separating calves from their mothers during sessions, we find it more successful to pair mom and calf together for the calf’s initial training. To find evidence to support our theory, we studied the six calves currently growing up at DRC. We compiled a list of their behavioral repertoires and categorized which behaviors they learned from imitating their mothers and other dolphins and which behaviors they were trained through operant conditioning. We also noted many cases where a behavior was initially imitated, but subsequently trainers helped solidify it with shaping or by capturing it. Our eldest group of youngsters, three 4- to 5-year-olds, is consistently performing an average of 65 behaviors each. Two of these three ‘kids’ ‘Cayo’ and ‘Gypsi’ were 2nd generation calves born at DRC. The other individual in this group, ‘Jax’, was a calf rescued at less than 1-year-old. He joined our colony, was accepted by a mother and calf pair, and showed many of the same imitation skills that our mothers’ calves showed. We found that about 62% of the behaviors these three dolphins currently know were acquired through imitation. In our 1.5- to 2-year-old dolphin group, we have two calves that were born at DRC, and another calf, ‘Louie’, who was rescued off the coast of Louisiana after the B.P. Oil spill. ‘Delta’ Delta and ‘Luna’ (both born at DRC) are currently trained on an average of 36 behaviors each. About 90% of the behaviors they perform were imitated from their mothers. Louie did not have the same benefit of a mother or allo-parent at DRC, and to date he has only imitated one behavior, a vocalization, from the other dolphins. Calves learned everything from basic targeting, aerial behaviors, and even gating by imitating their mothers, other adults, and their peers. In some instances, calves acquired behaviors before they were consistently eating fish. On average, our calves at DRC are typically participating in our in-water interactive programs by age 1. Participating in programs with Mom is how our calves learn most of our ‘swim’ behaviors – we have our guests help us with baby training. We encourage our calves to learn through imitation and we as trainers help shape things along. This allows our young dolphins to acquire more behaviors, at an earlier age, than they normally would from training alone.
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Our dolphin show team consists of 5.0 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Due to previous aggressive tendencies, water work with these animals was minimal. It was determined that one of the main causes for their aggression during water work was due to increased frustration when the animals or the trainers failed at a behavior. This aggression made water work dangerous at times, especially when training new behaviors and for new trainers learning current behaviors. To minimize aggression, the training team implemented a new training strategy that resulted in increased trainer and animal safety. After implementing this new strategy, aggression was significantly decreased allowing staff to train more complex behaviors involving multiple dolphins and include water work in nearly ninety-five percent of our shows.
tHe ‘Sea’ driVerS: uSinG a combination oF traininG, HuSbandrY, and reSearcH in tHe manaGement oF our Sea lion collection at taronGa Zoo Elly Neumann, Nick Boyle Taronga Conservation Society, Sydney, Australia Two distinct projects were developed and implemented to gain insight into hormonal and psychological fluctuations of the sea lion collection at Taronga Zoo. These projects have distinct aims and potential implications. As methodologies were similar for each study, a combined explanation of the processes adopted to conduct the projects is provided. Project 1 looks at monitoring stress and ascertaining factors that contribute to stress through analysis of corticosterone levels in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea). Project 2 aims to map estrous cycles and measure the effectiveness and longevity of deslorelin (a contraceptive implant) in Australian sea lions, whose unique 17.6 month breeding cycle makes it relatively difficult to use separation purely as a means for preventing breeding. The animals used in this study are housed at Taronga Zoo and are trained for use in sea lion shows, encounters, research and husbandry behaviours. These two projects have the potential to generate a greater understanding of the different environmental influences and the way this affects our sea lions, as well as the efficacy of the contraceptive deslorelin for breeding management and housing purposes.
Proceedings 2011
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inforMAl PresentAtion ABstrActs an oVerVieW and update oF tHe indian riVer laGoon bottlenoSe dolpHin HealtH and riSK aSSeSSment (Hera) proJect 1
Stephen D. McCulloch1, Juli D. Goldstein, DVM1, Steve Burton1, Gregory D. Bossart VMD, PhD2 Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University, Center for Marine Ecosystems Health, Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Program, Fort Pierce, Florida 2 The Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia
A comprehensive, multi-disciplinary bottlenose dolphin health and environmental risk assessment project (HERA) was initiated in 2003 by Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute’s Center of Marine Ecosystems Health and the National Ocean Service Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research. Objectives include the study of Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) populations inhabiting the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), FL and the coastal waters of Charleston, SC. The primary goal of this HERA project is to measure overall health and identify potential health hazards for dolphin populations utilizing these two regions. Since 2003, more than 300 dolphins have been captured, examined, sampled, marked, and safely released. Animals are collected by encircling in a 150m x 5 m (492 ft x 16.4 ft) capture net in less than 2 m (6.5 ft) of water, which facilitates safe handling. Methodology includes in-water restraint for initial collection of blood samples, prior to transitioning individual animals to a processing platform for the remainder of the biological sampling, physical, and ultrasonic examinations. The collection process is facilitated by marine mammal specialists, scientific investigators, and esteemed collaborators from the marine park industry. Preliminary results have caused concern for the health status of the IRL dolphin population. Infectious diseases such as lobomycosis are present in epidemic proportions (Reif et al., 2005). In addition, in the first 3 years, the incidence of genital papillomas increased three-fold from 0 % in 2003 to 47 % of the population exhibiting lesions in 2005 (Bossart et al., 2005). Other findings include prevalence of gastric inflammation, antibiotic resistance (Schaefer, et al., 2007), pox virus, and high levels of mercury contamination. Dolphin health and population status in the IRL reflect the effects of natural and anthropogenic stressors and serve as a sentinel for ecosystem health (Bossart, 2005a). Therefore, defining the health status of bottlenose dolphins is important for future management of this species and provides insights into the ecosystem as a whole. References Bossart G. D., et al., 2005. Orogenital neoplasia in Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Aquatic Mammals 31(4): 473-480, 2005.
beYond baSicS: traininG dolpHinS and Sea lionS tHe “concept beHaViorS” innoVate, repeat, comboS and ad-libS Jamie P. Stevens, Sarah E. Brignac, Loriel Caprio Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, Florida At Dolphin Research Center, we have found there is more to training dolphins and sea lions than teaching them basic behaviors. By training our dolphins and sea lions concept behaviors, such as innovate and repeat, we have discovered that these animals can understand a lot more than how to perform a single behavior on a signal. We identify ‘concept behavior’ as not a specific physical behavior, but the ability to generalize the ‘concept signal’ and apply it to the animal’s behavioral repertoire. We train several concepts, including: Innovate, Repeat, Combination Behaviors (Combos), and Ad-Libs. By training an animal multiple concept behaviors we have learned that not only can they incorporate these ideas into their behaviors, they can also learn additional concepts and apply them to the same behaviors - showing they discriminate the concepts themselves. The criterion for the Repeat behavior is exactly as it sounds: The dolphin or sea lion should repeat the last behavior that was requested by the trainer. When introducing this training we begin by requesting low energy behaviors such as vocalizations. We then move to physical behaviors such as pectoral waves, etc. and finally ask them to apply the repeat concept to aerial behaviors. This basic pattern of training is also employed with some of our other concept training such as innovate and combos. Depending on the individual dolphin or sea lion, at some point during the training process they appear to have an ‘A Ha!’ moment and then are able to apply the concept to other behaviors in their repertoire. Training of combination behaviors is unique in that the dolphins are not introduced to a new signal; they are given two or more signals in a row, then expected to perform these behaviors simultaneously. They are essentially receiving a ‘full sentence’ of signals then processing the request to complete a novel behavior. Combos are requested in a specific order of lower energy behaviors to higher energy behavior. For example, the cues for talk, pectoral wave, and dive would be given in that order, and the response would be a dolphin jumping while vocalizing and waving their pectoral fins. We have found that the public is fascinated to see dolphins and sea lions performing these more abstract behaviors. It shows our intelligent friends thinking in a different, more creative way. Innovate and Ad-libs in particular demonstrate how ‘out-of-the-box’ our animals can be when they are not constrained by our ideas alone. These concepts allow our presentations and our relationships with our dolphins and sea lions to be more collaborative, exciting and refreshing.
Reif J. S., et al., 2006. Lobomycosis in Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the Indian River Lagoon Florida. Journal of American Veterinarian Medicine Association, 2006; 228:104-108. Schaefer, A. M., Goldstein, J. D., Reif, J. S., Fair, P. A. and G. D. Bossart. 2009. Antibiotic resistant organisms cultured from Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting coastal waters of Charleston, SC and the Indian River Lagoon, FL. Emerging Infectious Diseases. Ecohealth DOI: 10.1007/s10393-009-0221-5.
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