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184 Box B1 Elephant Training in Zoos

VetBooks.ir former method of training most commonly lards), and has become assumed as a part of
positive reinforcement due to the nature of
associated with elephant management, posi-
tive punishment. Positive punishment domi-
however, the contrary, with elephants and
nated elephant management in the first few the physical arrangement. Free‐contact is
centuries of human–elephant relationships humans sharing the same space, and typically
and relies heavily on applying aversive stim- requires a positive punishment training
uli to the animal following the failure to exe- method. The argument for shifting paradigms
cute a behaviour on cue (Hockenhull and is that protected‐contact is based on trust and
Creighton 2013). The comparable efficacy, motivation (as an elephant can simply walk
reliability, and practicality of these opposing away without punishment or reward),
methods are well documented (Ramirez whereas free‐contact requires a dominant/
1999), and simply defining their role in the submissive relationship. Proponents of free‐
history of elephant training should suffice in contact argue that they would be unable to
this context. The term ‘protected‐contact’ care for an elephant properly if it was up to
(see Figure B1.1) is the opposite of ‘free‐con- the elephant to choose to participate in a
tact’ (see Figure B1.2) and they both serve as treatment that may be uncomfortable.
a descriptor of the degree to which humans Proponents of protected‐contact and positive
and elephants share, or do not, the same reinforcement training consider the efficacy
space. Protected‐contact requires that of treatment improved by not only adding
human and elephants are always ‘protected’ choice, but also by establishing a trusting
from one another by a barrier (bars, or bol- relationship that is reliant on reward for

Figure B1.1 An example of how keepers can provide foot care for elephants Elephas maximus within a
protected management regime. The degree to which the contact between animal and keeper is restricted in
protected‐contact can vary, in this illustration, physical contact between elephants and keepers is still available
to both parties. Source: Jeroen Stevens.