Page 25 - GW-Winter 2023-2024 flipbuilder_Neat

ma
l
e
l
B
i
i
eha
fa
W
R
e
n
re
s
r
&
ea
o
rc
Animal Behavior & Welfare Research
A
h
v
Brookfield Zoo is a research institution.
Much of this research is conducted by scientists
in our Animal Behavior & Welfare Research
department and involves the collection of
large amounts of data on animal behavior.
A current study, conducted with San Diego
Zoo Wildlife Alliance, examines polar bear
maternal denning behavior. A number of zoos
and aquariums, including Brookfield Zoo,
had recorded hours of video in bear maternal
dens. Researchers developed an ethogram—
a series of animal behaviors they were interested
in. In this case, these were behaviors of the
mother and infant development. People doing
observational research look for these behaviors.
Allison Ozark, who had a bachelor’s degree
in biology from Loyola University, interned
on this project in 2022. She watched the videos
and looked for and coded the behaviors in
the ethogram. The data Allison and other
interns collected will provide managers in zoos
and aquariums with information to make wise
management decisions regarding the care and
handling of polar bear mothers with cubs, said
Lance Miller, Ph.D., CZS’s vice president of
Conservation Science & Animal Welfare Research.
As the number of polar bears in the wild
continues to decline due to climate change and
other factors, polar bear breeding programs in zoos
and aquariums have grown increasingly important,
he said. Their success depends on ensuring that
cubs receive adequate care from their mothers. After completing her internship in Animal Behavior & Welfare Research, Allison Ozark
Interns have contributed to other research projects, was offered a seasonal job facilitating giraffe feedings.
including those that studied behavioral development
in okapi, stereotypic behavior in wolves, and red “I can’t say enough positive things about the internship
river hogs and environmental enrichment. experience,” said Ozark. “A highlight was presenting some
Applying what she learned from the polar bear study, of my data for the sloth bear research I did. I know there’s
Ozark designed a behavioral study of the Zoo’s sloth a project going on now that incorporated my research.
bears—Hani and Kartik—for her intern project. “I observed That’s such a rewarding feeling.”
them and kept track of all of their activities, like playing Ozark has begun medical school and hopes to one day
with enrichment items, throwing bones around to loosen combine her interests in human medicine and veterinary
the marrow, and people watching. They stole my heart.” medicine, which she acquired at Brookfield Zoo.
Using the data she collected, she created an ethogram.
Research internships lasting 5½ months are offered
twice a year—from mid‑January through the end of
June and from July through mid‑December. They are
typically one full day and four half‑days a week.

BROOKFIELD ZOO | WINTER 2023/24 25