Page 287 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

10.4 Animal Welfare Considerations 259

VetBooks.ir 2008). First seen being performed by ravens familiar tasks with individuals with whom they
know. However, benefits were only seen when
and crows at a bird show in Texas, the
Australian bird trainer, Claudia Bianchi,
shows (maximum of four per day) and faecal
developed a training programme for a galah birds participated in a moderate number of
(Eolophus roseicapilla) and white‐tailed black corticosteroid levels were significantly higher
cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus spp.). Although when show numbers peaked.
corvids were considered potentially more Findings in a range of species handled for
suitable for this routine, Taronga Zoo wanted educational purposes (hedgehogs, red‐tailed
to utilise existing birds from their collection hawks, and armadillos) also revealed a strong
(Host 2008), and continue to involve mainly correlation between elevated faecal glucocor-
native Australian birds in their show. ticoid metabolite concentrations, as well as
The birds selected had previously received increased undesirable behaviours, and
basic conditioning training, but had not experi- increased amount of handling (Baird et al.
enced any shaping or training of complex 2016). Welfare concerns were also identified
behaviours (Host 2008). In order to perform by Taronga Zoo in their trained parrots.
the donation‐collecting activity, the birds Therefore the zoo no longer offers the interac-
would need to sit on the donation box and tive money collection activity described
accept money in their beak (Host 2008) with- above, despite positive benefits for conserva-
out attempting to swallow the money (or bite tion donations (Kemp et al., submitted). This
the donor!). Desensitisation to the show envi- highlights the need to fully evaluate both the
ronment (crowds of up to 1000 people, music, animal‐ and visitor‐responses achieved by any
and the free flying presence of other trained non‐husbandry or health‐related training
birds), was also necessary (Host 2008). This lat- activity. Nonetheless, it is also important to
ter aspect proved to be the most challenging, note that faecal cortisol provides a cumulative
especially since the show programme changes indicator of adrenal gland activity and there-
over time with new birds being introduced fore does not provide an immediate indication
(Host 2008). Another significant issue was the of acute stress levels in the animal. As such,
tendency of one of the birds to throw the money research is currently being conducted using
away after picking it up (Host 2008), which was salivary cortisol from sea lions to elucidate
obviously contrary to the message that the hormone levels before and immediately after
show was attempting to convey. Although the public performances (Bloom P., pers. comm.).
birds were also slower to collect and cache the Housing environment (enclosure size and
money than the corvids witnessed in Texas, substrate depth) was also linked to welfare
they were considered successfully trained over indicators (Baird et al. 2016), whereby the con-
the course of 10 months (Host 2008). ditions under which ‘programme’ or ‘education’
animals are housed may not be as optimal as
‘exhibit’ or ‘breeding’ animals. Many UK zoos
10.4 Animal Welfare include collections of animals suitable for pub-
Considerations lic contact. Various zoo guidelines provide
advice on which species are best for handling
Research using faecal cortisol levels suggests and whilst this is beneficial in terms of welfare,
that birds used in public performances may be it restricts the types of animals which can be
less stressed than birds who are simply used and does not always consider educational
displayed to the public in exhibits (Robson value (DEFRA 2012; EAZA Felid TAG 2017;
2002). This is potentially due to the positive European Association of Zoos and Aquaria
reinforcement by trainers, meaning that the 2014). The exception to this is the World
animals experience shorter periods of boredom Association of Zoo and Aquarium’s guidance
or inactivity, and the fact that, whilst on view to on the use of animals in presentations, in
a large audience, the birds are performing which an educational component is listed as