45: Behavior Management in an Aquatic Setting - A Collaboration with AAZK for Spotlight on Aquariums Week with Sarah Snider Keys, AAZK, and Sarah (SK) Ivkovich, Dolphin Research Center
Description
This episode is a collaboration with AAZK (American Association of Zoo Keepers) for their "Spotlight on Aquariums Week". The guests for this episode are Sarah Snider-Keys from the Board of Directors of AAZK and Sarah (SK) Ivkovich from The Dolphin Research Center (DRC) as they discuss behavior management in an aquatic setting. Sarah and SK discuss some of the differences and challenges of working with purely aquatic species and some of the creative solutions and successes that come from an aquatic setting. This episode also touches on when and how to start training baby animals and training animals in a social group. Stay tuned in for a "Training Tale" about how a dolphin learned how to soar not from a trainer's approximations, but by watching and learning from another dolphin. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org or visit our website https://www.theabma.org To reach Sarah Snider- Keys email sarah.snider@aazk.org and to learn more about AAZK visit their website https://aazk.org To reach Sarah Ivkovich email sarah.ivkovich@dolphins.org Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!
2:50 Intro to Sarah Snider-Keys and SK Ivkovich4:25 Information about AAZK (American Association of Zoo Keepers)
6:55 Spotlight on Aquariums Week
10:20 Planning and implementing training in an aquatic setting
15:05 Specific behaviors/techniques that are unique to purely aquatic species
19:00 Advantages and challenges with habitats that are in the public view
25:20 Training baby animals before food is a reinforcer/When should you start training?
33:15 Social animals, group vs individual animal criteria
38:50 Enrichment opportunities in an aquatic setting
46:10 Advice for starting behavior programs with aquatic species
52:30 “Training Tales”