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
- Zoo’s take on the duty to honor animal rights given that they have taken responsibility for the animal. This means that zoo’s must work to avoid pain and seek to bring the animals pleasure. An “informed empathy” (having a reverence for all life) is the basis for our ethical standard in how we treat animals. Going against this ethical basis in zoo’s is only acceptable when there is a threat to human life. Callicott will be brought in here yet again, to discuss how we have a duty of care for animals and that zoo animals are our creations, so we must treat them ethically.
According to Daniels and Bailey (1982), the mission of an organization is the reason it exists. For organizations, such as zoological facilities the single most important outcome that measures success, is the preservation of wild species and places. Wildlife Conservation through Education and Participation is the mission statement of Brevard Zoo. The result of wildlife conservation is achieved by the verbal behavior of hundreds of staff who share information to the public about the animals that are housed at the zoo, their endangered wild counterparts, and the conservation efforts of the zoo.
The two types of dog training methods are positive and negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement is usually seen as the more inhumane method by those who are against it. Positive reinforcement is usually seen as not as effective by people who are against it. Reinforcement is any consequence that encourages a behavior (“Skinner”). Positive reinforcement is rewarding a dog every time he preforms a desired behavior (“Skinner”). Negative reinforcement is taking away an unpleasant action when the dog performs a desired behavior (“Skinner”). There is controversy on which method of dog training is the most effective. Some people argue that Negative reinforcement is not effective. Others argue that negative reinforcement does not hurt dogs and
Just as medical students need contact with human patients, veterinarians-in-training need contact with live animals, and humane programs can provide these opportunities. Students often learn through clinical experience in which they have the opportunity to observe and assist experienced veterinarians in treating animals who have legitimate medical problems and will benefit from the treatment. Some institutions, such as Ohio State University’s veterinary school, have even developed relationships with nearby animal shelters, allowing students to meet the veterinary needs of the facility’s animals as well as assist with spay-and-neuter
Everyone remembers going to their neighborhood zoo as a kid. It is amazing to see the animals like tigers and giraffes up close instead of on TV or in books. Seeing the real thing is like entering a new world, the animal world. At these family zoos you are able to ride a pony, chase a tortoise, or give a polar bear a high five through the glass. The zoo is a wild adventure for everyone. It’s hard to imagine a zoo to be any different than the one you grew up with. These zoos, however, started as small as having only three deer in a pen. That was how the first zoo that was established in Minnesota began: the start of Como Zoo.
The starting point was my years in high school learning to become a zoo keeper. In between classes on minimizing stress when handling parrots and different lion enrichments, I also learned why those very animals are in need of our conservation programs. The decline of suitable wildlife habitats is strongly connected with exploitation of environmental resources. I also gained a deeper understanding of the daily needs, both mental and physical, that all animals have, be it wildlife or livestock.
It was June 3rd, 2016 when my mom and I went to San Diego Zoo. We took a bus that picked us up at 9:00 a.m., and took us from where we were staying Anaheim, and dropped us off around 11:00 a.m. at the zoo.
In the months following the start of school, I desperately desire to leave the cold of Massachusetts and go back to my hometown of Orlando, Florida. Participating in the Disney College Program strengthened my skills interacting with a variety of guests and all of my spare time involved Disney’s Animal Kingdom; it is clarified to me I need to go back to school, obtain a degree, and work with animals. Back at school, I decide to follow a career in wildlife conservation and ecology. To aid with my career goals I work in the biology lab labeling pelts, bones, and animal specimens. Now, at twenty-four as I reflect throughout the years on my work experiences in retail, food and beverage, as a new students orientation counselor, and a real estate age, every time my love for an animal career prevailed, especially animal education. I believe conflicts and obstacles of life set us up to achieve even greater things. Rewinding quickly to age twenty-one, I complete my four years, obtain a bachelor’s degree, and plan for my first job out of university. That summer as my undergraduate career comes to an end and my first career begins, I join the Humane Society Naples as a veterinary assistant. I helped medically examine shelter animals, medicate, vaccinate, proper animal restraint, foster services, secretarial duties, and helped other areas of operation, also volunteering at the Southwest
Additionally, many practical applications of the theory were developed from animal training to human education and in many cases such applications have been shown to be efficient in producing behavioral change (Hill, 2001).
This paper reviews and analyzes three main issues with the first one being leadership. Other sub-issues involve lack of vision, coercive leadership style, using taxpayer’s money for personal benefit and irresponsible top management. The organizational structure, mixed communication, and no clear indication to who to report to is the second. The third
To work with animals requires many levels of education and lots of training before you can even become a rehabilitator or zoo keeper. Hannah Murphy and Parker Hudson described what it is like to work with wild animals today. Hannah Murphy works as a zookeeper at the Delmarva Center. There she takes care of two river otters. She described what it is like to work with the animals, it requires both training and patience. All captive wild animals are trained now; this is for multiple reasons, it stimulates the animal’s mind, helps with medical procedures and makes day to day care much easier. There are tricks like holding out the paw, in order to take blood. Another trick is to desensitize the animals to new tools they may come in contact with- such as a scale or a crate. Murphy described how these tricks can vary depending upon the animals. She worked with dolphins before and taught them a variety of different tricks. Each animal needs to know something different, but most of the training is the same. The training involves rewards, either food or a toy, and then a sound to acknowledge the good behavior. Through patience and repetition, the animals learn these tricks. Zookeepers today also create a stimulating environment for the animals to live in. They put out new toys, new smells, and new foods to keep the animals engaged and happy. Murphy told us about a time when she put out watermelons and crabs for the otters.
I am currently a graduate student seeking a double Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis and Organizational Behavior Management. My professional experience includes five years employment experience at Brevard Zoo through the Education Department as well as volunteer experience at The National Elephant Center. I have been interested in animals for as long I can remember and have always dreamed of working with them. Recently, my childhood dream has evolved into interests in behavioral welfare research utilizing the principles of behavior analysis for animals with severe, problematic behaviors. If I could be any animal I would be some species of non-human primate. After helping in Dr. Proctor’s research lab, I have observed just how social and
Kenny the elephant is one such example of a zoo’s failure to properly care for their animals. On a damp January day, Kenny, the three year old Asian elephant was performing tricks as usual. Attendants, however could tell that he was clearly sick. His appetite had greatly decreased and he seemed “listless” (Nelson 1). After chaining him into a tent with the other elephants, his
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is the “umbrella” organisation for the world zoo and aquarium community. Whilst recognising the variation in culture and customs within which the WAZA operates, it is incumbent upon all members to exercise the highest standards of animal welfare and to encourage these standards in others. Training staff to the highest level possible represents one method of ensuring this aim.
The sun was shining, the sky was spotted with clouds, and the wind was whistling as it passed through the trees. Overall, it was the perfect day to visit the zoo. Smiling, happy children bounded beside me as I walked underneath the large, blue and yellow sign announcing “The Colorado Zoo.” As I walked onto the sidewalk, I looked out over the “habitats.” The big, colorful signs advertising the exotic animals “brought from all over the world!” Animals that were taken from their home, taken from their habitats, and taken to a world where they are put on display. Animals who are forced to live out their lives in zoos in unhealthy, degrading, and devastating ways.