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Any animal can be trained! Through positive reinforcement, the golfish at All of the training our Animal Ambassadors
Hamill Family Play Zoo have been trained to swim through a hoop. receive focuses on the same principle—
having the animals exhibit natural behaviors
The Animal Ambassador program officially that will delight guests. Bathsheba Binturong
launched with the opening of Hamill Family has a prehensile (grabbing) tail, and staff
Wild Encounters in 2015. As part of the program, have trained her to wrap her tail around their
over 70 animals, representing more than 35 species, arms. In the wild, cockatoos mimic noises
play an instrumental role in helping us reach our from their flock, and Jasper Cockatoo is
goal of restoring people’s connection to wildlife trained in mimicry behaviors—animal care
and nature. staff members are his “flock.” Servals enjoy
running (at speeds of up to 45 mph!) so we
Some animals in the program stay primarily in allow them to express this natural behavior
their habitats or within the zoo itself, while others by running on a zip line through the park.
take frequent day trips to those who might have a
harder time making it out to the zoo, such as chil- To get these natural behaviors on
dren in underserved communities, senior citizens, command, staff focus on building trust and
and individuals with disabilities. But whether positive reinforcement by providing rewards
participating in a Zoo Chat, an off-site visit, or (such as a treat or special play time, depend-
making an appearance at one of Brookfield Zoo’s ing on the animal’s motivation) when a
special events, all of these animals have received specific behavior is exhibited. And all of
special training from our animal care staff, which the training is a choice—animals often have
allows them to thrive in their special role of giving their crate available so they can return to
individuals up-close views and personal experiences its safety and comfort if they don’t want to
with amazing animals. participate in training on any given day.
Or if an animal doesn’t seem particularly
interested in a specific reward, staff will try
another reward.
16 GATEWAYS | ANIMAL AMBASSADORS
