Training

Training and Enrichment Go Hand-in-Hand

Phil the vulture in training

The Zoo produces animal shows to entertain and educate visitors. Live animal shows are performed only in support of the Zoo's mission "to improve the future for wildlife." The shows reflect the Zoo's commitment to conservation and encourage visitors to take action to preserve wildlife and habitats.
While animal shows are enriching for Zoo visitors, training is enriching for the animals, too. Show animals are always trained to do natural behaviors, just on cue. Animals are motivated to perform behaviors by the use of positive reinforcement - toys and treats. These rewards are approved by the same committee that approves enrichment plans, to ensure that nutritional health and safety is never compromised.
Show animals also travel to schools and other locations for educational performances. Their training makes it possible for these animals to experience new sights and sounds, off Zoo grounds. Novelty is a big part of enrichment.
Variety is part of the training process, too. Different types of positive reinforcement schedules are used to motivate animals:

1. Constant Reinforcement is used with all new behaviors until they are established. Each correct behavior gets a reinforcement.
2. Variable Reinforcement is used on established behaviors. People take a gamble with slot machines, sometimes winning and sometimes losing. Similarly, animals that do not get reinforced every single time they perform a behavior will still do the behavior, just to see if they get a treat. Once again, variety is a motivator.
3. Ratio Reinforcement rewards the animal after performing a set number of cued behaviors.

Phil flies over the crowd during a show

The Zoo's trainers are trained to put these methods into practice. Show staff keep current with today's most accepted and effective techniques, philosophy and ethics concerning animal training. Animal training courses and conferences help Zoo staff maintain the highest standards of animal care, produce reliable responses from show animals, and answer