Page 343 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

13.5 Establishing Safety Policies, Protocols, and Work Rules 315

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Figure 13.2 Tools utilised for animal training. Source: Chicago Zoological Society.

alternatives. Ultimately, the right system is stories over a beer should be a thing of the
the one that can be mastered and is effec- past. These incidents should not be con-
tive at facilitating the behaviour change you sidered badges of courage but evidence of
desire whilst remaining safe and not com- mistakes to be learned from and avoided.
promising the welfare of the animals. Professionalism is a matter of attitude,
and safety should be paramount above all
D) Emotional and physical condition else. Safety is no accident and is the result
Your emotional and physical condition of preparation and conscious effort. To be
can affect your perception of the environ- safe, one must always think and act safely.
ment. Heightened emotional states, men- Understanding and maintaining situa-
tal illness, and medical and physical tional awareness provides insight on how
ailments that cause discomfort and/or our minds perceive and process informa-
require medication can negatively affect a tion, that can help zoo professionals make
zoo professional’s ability to maintain situ- safe decisions. Having this knowledge
ational awareness. Although it might not can also help inform the development
be apparent, safety can be compromised and implementation of more fundamen-
if these conditions cloud or distort the tal and practical aspects required to train
zoo professional’s ability to accurately zoo animals safely.
perceive events or conditions in the train-
ing setting. Good judgement and restraint
must be used to know when you are unfit 13.5 Establishing Safety Policies,
to train. Know when to say ‘no’ to training Protocols, and Work Rules
and err on the side of caution, as missing
a session will unlikely negatively affect The establishment of safety policies, proto-
the animal’s learning.
cols, and work rules is a critical process
E) Personal attitude in any business. Developing and maintaining
The days of showing off one’s scars from a culture of safety at your zoo must be a pri-
animals and sharing these harrowing ority. The expectations must be clear, both