The Least Inhibitive, Functionally Effective (LIFE) Model: A New Framework for Ethical Animal Training Practices
The ethics of animal training procedures have seen dramatic changes in the last few decades, with a movement toward reward-based training methods. These reward-based training practices have also been directly impacted by the behavioral and animal welfare sciences, including their research outputs. In the last couple of decades, the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) model […]
Handling and Training of Wild Animals: Evidence and Ethics-Based Approaches and Best Practices in the Modern Zoo
There is an ethical responsibility to provide all animals living in human care with optimal and positive well-being. As animals living in zoos and aquariums frequently interact with their human caregivers as part of their daily care routines, it is both relevant and essential to consider the impact of these interactions on animal well-being. Allowing […]
An evaluation of the role of ‘biological evidence’ in zoo and aquarium enrichment practices
Evidence-based approaches are key to advancing all areas of zoo and aquarium practice. Output from empirical study must be disseminated to those within the industry so that results can support changes to husbandry and management for individual species. Information on enrichment techniques is published in a range of sources, including papers in the peer-reviewed and […]
Behavioral management of chimpanzees in biomedical research facilities: The state of the science
The current status of the behavioral management of chimpanzees housed in US research facilities is examined, and recent advances are described. Behavioral management includes the application of environmental enrichment, animal training, and environmental design for improving animal welfare. Authors surveyed the six major chimpanzee holding facilities and found that the vast majority of chimpanzees are […]
The welfare of non-human primates used in research: Report of the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare
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Comparative analysis of knowledge gain between interpretive and fact-only presentations at an animal training session: an exploratory study
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20174.abs Zoos and aquariums have recognized the importance of integrating living collections with personally delivered interpretation. One way for zoos to accomplish this is by conducting public animal training sessions accompanied by personal interpretation. Many institutions offer these types of interactions, but the term “interpretation” is used loosely and without clear definition. This exploratory […]
Positive reinforcement training to elicit voluntary movement of two giant pandas throughout their enclosure
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10103.abs There is a great deal of interest in applying positive reinforcement training to improve the care and management of captive animals. The purpose of the present study was to test the usefulness of positive reinforcement training in managing the “shifting” behavior of two, young giant pandas. This report describes the steps in the […]
Positive reinforcement training to enhance the voluntary movement of group-housed chimpanzees within their enclosures
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1998)17:43.3.CO;2-3 Positive reinforcement techniques were applied to train groups of chimpanzees to move voluntarily into the indoor portions of their enclosures at the request of trainers and to be briefly restricted to those areas. Subjects were 66 members of eight social groups, including 44 adults (14 males, 30 females), and 22 immatures (eight males, […]
Use of positive reinforcement training in the management of species for reproduction
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430130509.abs Positive reinforcement training holds great potential for enhancing the management of species for reproduction. This paper reviews a wide range of animal training activities and resultant benefits which could have application to captive reproduction programs. Recognized benefits fall into several categories. Basic animal care can be improved through voluntary cooperation by the animals […]
Human-directed contra-aggression training using positive reinforcement with single and multiple trainers for indoor-housed rhesus macaques
The objective of this study was to improve human-animal management relationships by testing the effects of positive reinforcement training (PRT) on reducing human-directed aggression in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Contra-aggression uses a combination of positive reinforcement training techniques designed to actively reduce instances of aggressive behavior. Additionally, this study looked at how much post-training generalization […]