Behavioural Husbandry Flashcards
What is a primary reinforcer
Something an animal finds instinctively rewarding
What is a secondary reinforcer
Something that wasn’t instinctively rewarding but gains value after it is associated with a primary reinforcer
What is the purpose of the BHP?
For overall wellbeing
Providing behavioural choices
What is enrichment
Providing opportunities for the expression of species appropriate behaviours and to decrease/eliminate undesirable behaviour
What are the guiding principles of the enrichment program?
All taxa represented in the collection considered
Incorporated into daily routines (not extra)
Based upon biological, social and cognitive needs; contingent upon encouraging species-specific behaviour and mediated by animals history. (proactive, not reactive)
Improve social interactions and success of breeding programs through the promotion of normal social interactions and physical and psychological development
Safety and risk carefully considered
Overall goal of enrichment
Encourage species-specific behaviours
Give choice within the environment
Prevent/reduce undesirable behavior such as stereotypies
What are the 5 classification categories of enrichment? give an example
Feeding - e.g. scatter food
Play - using objects without purpose
Occupational - task orientated devices
Sensory - spices
Environmental - nesting material
What do you need to encourage a specific behaviour?
Motivation
Opportunity
How do you prioritize what behaviours to encourage?
Animal needs - how important it is to them, seasonal,ethograms and time budget analysis
Feasibility - exisiting/potential resources, management constraints
Why is it important to plan enrichment?
Provides clear direction
Allows team to agree on approach
Understanding of necessary resources
Prepares you to implement more effectively
Ensures proper review and approval
Why is it necessary to complete a TZ Enrichment approval form for new items?
Outlines behavioural goals
Addresses potential safety concerns
Ensures communication between keepers and appropriate units
New keepers become aware of what has been approved or not
Once approved, how many times does a new device need to be observed?
In use 3 times for at least 5 minutes
What are the general safety concerns of enrichment?
Body or body part entanglement
Injury by device
Ingestion of device or parts
Damage to exhibit
What are safety considerations of an individual enrichment device? e.g. when making it…
Screws and non-toxic glue used instead of nails
Non-toxic paint
Free of small removable and swallowable parts
Animal parts/excretions approved by vets (e.g. fur, urine)
Appropriate size holes
Watch for ingestion
Natural materials used. Plastic/nylon with caution
Single, closed link, short chains. Cover if necessary, use swivels at attachment points
Chain/rope strong enough to support weight of animal and device - check integrity daily, replace when frayed
No entanglement risk, don’t create nooses
Caging/fencing strong enough to support hanging items
Cardboard boxes free of tape, staples
Paper bags free of strings, plastic or inner liners
Why is documentation important?
AZA requirement
Provides proof it was given
Share information between staff and institutions
Find patterns/trends
Shows progress, gains institutional support
Creates institutional memory
How is the response to ED assessed? (What would you consider to determine success of ED)
Time spent interacting
Number of visits to device
Relative use
Whether natural behaviours encouraged
Motivation to use/interact with it
What information is documented on enrichment log sheets?
Date offered
Type of ED (eg. puzzle feeder, scents)
Intended goal (FPOSE)
Keeper initial
Minimum requirements for achieving overall goal for the species
What does 1-5 on the direct evidence mean?
1: Interacts inappropriately (dangerous, aggressive, unsafe)
2: Avoids (passive or active)
3: Interacts tentatively (brief contact, no specific behavioural response)
4: Interacts appropriately but not according to goal behaviours
5: Interacts appropriately with goal behaviours achieved
What does 1-3 mean on the Indirect Evidence scale?
1: No evidence of interaction (item hasn’t moved)
2: Some evidence of interaction (moved, not all food removed or item remains intact)
3: Significant interaction noted, considered successful
Why is evaluation important?
Objectively determines effectiveness of ED on behaviour
Provides accountability that its being offered according to schedule and guidelines
Checks if all behavioural needs are being addressed
Checks if goals are being met
What trends do you look for in evaluation process?
Frequency of delivery
Animals response
Relative success towards goal intentions
What would you consider during evaluation process?
Are behavioural needs being addressed or met?
How long does it hold their interest? (min/hr/days)
Who interacted with it the most?
Is it enough for all in the group?
Do all animals in the group use it?
How often can it be provided and still elicit a response?
When can it be removed?
Appropriate balance of categories?
Worth the effort? (cost/benefit analysis)
Was any initiative associated with aggression?
Were the levels acceptable?
Any safety concerns?
Increase natural behaviour?
Decrease undesirable behaviour?
How is readjustment done?
Evaluating trends in the data
Goals and plan considered
Adjusted if necessary
What are natural history questions to be asked when setting goals?
Habitat Self-maintenance behaviours Activity period Environment type Threats Primary sensory modalities Social aspects Breeding Locomotion methods Diet and feeding
