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Brevard Zoo Internship Paper

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Description of Intern Activities The student completed the internship requirement at the Brevard Zoo. Additionally, the student holds a volunteer position at the National Elephant Center prior to the internship. The internship director approved the student to use the additional volunteer hours at the elephant center for course credit. At Brevard Zoo, the intern was already a paid employee at the facility prior to the internship course. The internship was modified to give the student an experience that highlighted the many aspects of working with animals outside of her original position. The activities included activities working with both animals, guests, and staff. The focus on animal training, behavior, and learning was achieved by the intern …show more content…

Rogge et al. (2013) stated that positive reinforcement training provides animals the opportunity to voluntarily perform behaviors eliminating stress and possible negative results from other forms of training. The animal is rewarded with positive items when they complete a positive behavior and never punished for an incorrect behavior. This allows the keepers to work closely with their animals in a relaxed manner in closer proximity to the animals. The empirical study was conducted using two species of monkeys to see if there would be a change in behavior when positive reinforcement was used when training. The evidence of this basis of behavior was the animals of the study participating in the training sessions and showing positive changes in their behavior. I observed this bases of behavior at both of my sites. Positive reinforcement is the only form of training used at both of the sites I interned and volunteered at. I observed the zookeepers use positive reinforcement in the form of food when working with the elephants. At Brevard Zoo, I observed first-hand the benefits of positive reinforcement training when working with the Virginia Opossum and African Grey Parrot. The animals were eager to participate in the training session when they were rewarded with their favorite types of food. This bases of behavior will also be important in my future career because I will only work …show more content…

Worked to ensure the health and safety of the education animals. Signed off and authorized to handle all members of the education collection; maintains, cleans, oversees, and organizes exhibits and equipment, leads and presents a variety of education programs both onsite, offsite, and special events; contributes to the development of education programs, surveys and monitors entire children discovery exhibit to ensure safety in water and on land, tactfully and effectively handles guest requests, interacts with children and families, interfaces effectively with higher management, professionals, and the

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