Volume 38, Number 2 ~ Second Quarter 2013

Magazine of the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association

IN THIS ISSUE: BEYOND BASICS: TRAINING (Tursiops truncatus) AND SEA LIONS (Zalophus californianus) THE ‘CONCEPT BEHAVIORS’ INNOVATE, REPEAT, COMBOS, AND AD-LIBS Volume 38, number 2 - Second Quarter 2013 SOUNDINGS PUBLICATION

Chief Editor HEATHER KEENAN –

Dedicated to advancing the humane care Editorial Director Eric Gaglione – Georgia Magazine of the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association and handling of marine animals by fostering communication between professionals that serve Associate Editor marine animal science through training, public display, SUZANNE SMITH – Louisiana & Sea Turtle Resue Program research, husbandry, conservation, and education. BACK TO BASICS – Benjamin Schreiner ENRICHING ENVIRONMENTS – Ronnie Smith 14 OFF THE SHELF – John Widick 10 PRODUCT PROFILE – Chris Scullion TRAINER’S FORUM – Sarah Sayre

Associate Editor MARTHA HILL – Sea Life Park Front Cover Photo Credit: Miami Seaquarium IMATA BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGIONAL REPORTS President Past President Asia Philip Wong ERIC GAGLIONE SHELLEY WOOD Australia Ryan Tate Georgia Aquarium ABC / Discovery Canada Brian Sheehan REGIONAL REPORTER CONTACT INFORMATION Islands Bernard Collie Associate Editor: Martha Hill [email protected] North Central Christiane Thiere First Vice President Treasurer Europe Northeast Sunna Edberg Asia: Philip Wong [email protected] MICHELE SOUSA ROBERT ROOZENDAAL Europe Northwest John-Rex Mitchell Australia/New Zealand: Ryan Tate rtate@.nsw.gov.au Aquarium of the Pacific Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Europe South Central Pablo Joury Canada: Brian Sheehan [email protected] Europe Southwest Monika Lechermeier 16 Caribbean Islands: Bernard Collie [email protected] Second Vice President Secretary Haruhiko Kato KELLY FLAHERTY CLARK JENNIFER LEACH Mexico Alex Mata Europe North Central: Christiane Thiere [email protected] SeaWorld Orlando SeaWorld San Diego Middle East Tommy Wilken Europe Northeast: Sunna Edberg [email protected] Pacific Islands Stephanie Vlachos Third Vice President Past Treasurer Russia/Ukraine Monika Lechermeier Europe Northwest: John-Rex Mitchell [email protected] South Africa Gabby Harris Europe South Central: Pablo Joury [email protected] TERI CORBETT PATTY SCHILLING South America Miguel Marques Europe Southwest: Monika Lechermeier [email protected] Atlantis Paradise Island U.S. Midwest Stacey Lonski U.S. North Central John-Rex Mitchell Japan: Haruhiko Kato [email protected] President-Elect U.S. Northeast Beth Manning Mexico Alex Mata [email protected] BILL WOLDEN U.S. Northwest Cinthia Alia-Mitchell Middle East: Tommy Wilken [email protected] Dolphin Quest U.S. South Central Shannon Ray U.S. Southeast Sarah Graff Pacific Islands: Stephanie Vlachos [email protected] U.S. Southwest Brittany Harris Russia/Ukraine: Monika Lechermeier [email protected] South Africa: Gabby Harris gabby@.org.za COMMITTEE CHAIRS Associate Editor South America Miguel Marques [email protected] Erika Stuebing – Georgia Aquarium Accreditation Liaison WHAT’S UP DOC – Jen DeGroot FEATURES U.S. Midwest: Stacey Lonski [email protected] CONSERVATION BRIEFS – Shelly Samm BILLY HURLEY DAVE ROBERTS Trying to control a complex U.S. North Central: John-Rex Mitchell [email protected] Georgia Aquarium SeaWorld San Diego EDUCATION FORUM – Jason Jones 10 U.S. Northeast: Beth Manning [email protected] INNERviews – Kevin Roberts behavioral problem NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS – Haley Merritt U.S. Northwest: Cinthia Alia-Mitchell [email protected] Animal Training Advisory Membership Services Solving a life-threatening regurgitation problem RESEARCH BRIEFS – Beau Richter in a California sea lion through training and U.S. South Central: Shannon Ray [email protected] DENNIS CHRISTEN SUNNA EDBERG Georgia Aquarium Kolmarden Associate Editor satiation U.S. Southeast: Sarah Graff [email protected] NICOLE O’DONNELL – Navy Marine Mammal Program U.S. Southwest: Brittany Harris [email protected] Central Office Shelley Wood CONFERENCE COUNTDOWN – Michelle Sousa Dolphins demonstrate the DEPARTMENTS CONFERENCE SITE SELECTION – Shelley Wood 16 KEN RAMIREZ ABC Animal Training/Dolphin Discovery understanding of an abstract idea Conservation Briefs John G. LIP SYNC – Mike Osborn Beyond basics: training dolphins (Tursiops 5 Soundings is published four times a year by the International Marine Animal Trainers Association (IMATA) Merchandise MEMBERSHIP UPDATES – Jennifer Leach Features conservation tidbits from MERCHANDISE – Ann Hoedt truncatus) and sea lions (Zalophus californianus) Conservation and Research Ann Hoedt around as a service to its members. Submissions of manuscripts, photographs, and illustrations are welcomed and NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS – Shelley Wood the 'concept behaviors' innovate, repeat, combos encouraged, but will be returned only if accompanied by a return envelope and adequate postage. Any DEBI COLBERT Georgia Aquarium PRESIDENT’S CORNER – Eric Gaglione and ad-libs Back to Basics material accepted is subject to such revision as is necessary in our sole discretion to meet the requirements Association of and REGIONAL WORKSHOP REPORTS – Shelley Wood 9 of publication. Soundings is produced using Microsoft Word; the style manual followed is the fifth edition Nominations and Elections Creating the first-of-a-kind snow (2002) Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Electronic submissions are preferred Education Services SHELLEY WOOD Associate Editor penguin encounter NEDRA HECKER and can be sent to IMATA Soundings Chief Editor, Heather Keenan, at: [email protected]. (Typed submissions MADELYNN HETTIGER ABC Animal Training/Dolphin Discovery FEATURE ARTICLES Enriching Environments will also be accepted and should be double spaced on 8.5” x 11” paper.) Include the name, address, FAX John G. Shedd Aquarium IMATA BUSINESS 13 Public Relations and Michael Belshaw, Marineland Antibes A toy that dolphins work number, and phone number of the author on the title page. Slides and hard copy or photographs can be color Traci Belting, Seattle Aquarium Finance PRESIDENT'S CORNER or black and white; photographs should be at least 3” x 5”. Digital photographs are welcomed and should Promotions Linda Beverly, Indianapolis Zoo themselves TRACI BELTING MICHAEL HUNT 4 The continued growth of IMATA in 2013 have adequate resolution when viewed on a computer screen. For all images, include captions, identify all Margaret Black, Seattle Aquarium Georgia Aquarium What’s Up Doc? recognizable persons, and include a photo credit. The act of submitting an article, photograph, or illustration Sarah Brignac, 18 Carmen Colitz DVM, Animal Eye Specialty Clinic Nominations and Elections What are zoonoses and should you constitutes an agreement that (1) the materials are free of copyright restrictions, (2) photo releases have 6 Historian Publications Scott Hjerling, Coral World Candidates for the 2014 Board of Directors be worried about them? been obtained, and (3) the material may be published by IMATA in Soundings or other IMATA publications. CHERYL MESSINGER PATRICK BERRY Andy Johnson, Monterey Bay Aquarium Deadlines for submission are 15 November, 15 February, 15 May, and 15 August. Submissions should be Dolphin Connection Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park Catherine ‘CJ’ Johnson, Knoxville Zoo Regional Reports addressed to Heather Keenan, Soundings Chief Editor, email [email protected] or mailed to IMATA, 1200 Nina Lambert, Dolphin Quest Hawaii 14 Conference Countdown 20 Lauren McKenna, Dolphin Quest Hawaii Start planning now for Las Vegas 2014 Keep up on news from IMATA South Lake Shore Drive, , Illinois, USA, or faxed to (312) 939-2216. Address changes should be sent Honors and Awards Regional Workshops to IMATA’s Secretary, Jennifer Leach, at the same address. Address changes can also be made online at Patrick W. B. Moore, National Marine Mammal Foundation members around the world NICOLE O’DONNELL SHELLEY WOOD Ken Ramirez, John G. Shedd Aquarium IMATA’s web site, www.imata.org. Navy Marine Mammal Program ABC Animal Training/Dolphin Discovery Grey Stafford, LIP Sync John Widick, Clearwater Marine Aquarium 26 The latest legislative and regulatory ©Copyright 2013. All of the articles contained within Soundings are the personal views of the respective Legislation, Information, and Sponsorship Erin Weber, New England Aquarium activity authors and do not necessarily represent the views of IMATA or its Board of Directors. Policy CHRIS SCULLION Historian MICHAEL OSBORN SAIC BioSolutions Off the Shelf Mystic Aquarium CHERYL MESSINGER – The Dolphin Connection CONTACT US 27 100 Heartbeats: The Race to Save 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60605 USA Photo Archivist Earth’s Most MARK TODD – SAIC BioSolutions PHONE (312) 692-3193 • FAX (312) 939-2216 by Jeff Corwin [email protected] or visit our website at www.imata.org CHIEF EDITORS FILLERS AND FACTOIDS Proceedings Web Site Erika Stuebing – Georgia Aquarium Trainer’s Forum 28 Having problems with animals DESIGN & PRODUCTION LAURA YEATES Beau Richter Publications Chair Lunar Cow National Marine Mammal Foundation Long Marine Laboratory and Aquarium PATRICK BERRY – Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park gating inconsistently? 137 S. Main Street, STE 202 • Akron, OH 44308 Notices & Announcements (330) 253-9000 • www.lunarcow.com Soundings 31 HEATHER KEENAN Information on upcoming Miami Seaquarium workshops, conferences, and more

2 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 3 Greetings IMATA! It is Countdown in this issue of Soundings for more details, and hard to believe the first half make your plans early to get in the fun. of 2013 is behind us. Since Lastly, our Soundings editorial team, led by Heather my last President's Corner Keenan, has been extremely busy producing our new, update, IMATA's Board enhanced, digital version of our quarterly magazine. This and Committee Chairs have long-awaited transition is now underway and with the been busy on many fronts. printing of this issue we’ve launched the digital version Most notably we’ve made of Soundings now available at our online portal at some significant advances www.imata.org. Please take the time to enjoy the electronic in conference planning version and all it has to offer. In addition to being a strong and enhancements to the conservation initiative, the next generation of Soundings publication of Soundings. will better serve our organization by providing a platform McDonald’s Food Chain Goes Sustainable to store viable sperm from multiple males In early March, the Board for greater use of digital photos and video, and will allow for McDonald’s has become for long periods of time; therefore, there approved a Memorandum stronger translation services as we strive to better serve our the first national is a possibility that the egg clutches could of Understanding (MOU) global membership. food chain to serve certified- be fertilized by more than one father. With with the Association of sustainable seafood in all of its the hawksbill sea turtle, however, a DNA study of hatchlings on Cousine Island in the Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) for the first joint IMATA/AZA locations. This process began in 2005 when McDonald’s fish was Seychelles showed a monogamous mating conference, which will be held during September 2014, in first certified, and ever since the system in which most egg clutches were Orlando, , USA. AZA is a similarly focused, nonprofit Hawksbill sea turtle hatchlings. company has been performing sired by just one male, and that no males Photo Credit: Karl Phillips organization dedicated to the advancement of accredited audits of its suppliers to ensure fertilized more than one female during the (University of East Anglia) zoos and aquariums. With over 220 accredited member sustainability and traceability. 75 day season. The female turtle can lay institutions, AZA attracts, on average, 2000 zoo and The blue ecolabel of the Marine Alaska Pollock. Photo Credit: NOAA about five clutches of eggs during a season. The number of males contributing to the aquarium professionals to their annual conference each Stewardship Council (MSC) will next generation is important for species survival because it results in higher levels of year. IMATA’s annual conference will run concurrently with be found on the packaging of all fish dishes at McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. locations as genetic variation, which means a species can respond to new threats like diseases. Deemed critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of the AZA meeting - providing a larger, dynamic networking early as February 2013. The fish sandwiches and bites are currently made from MSC- certified, wild-caught Alaska pollock (Theragra chalcogramma). For the sustainability Nature, the hawksbill turtle had been hunted for its shell. The practice of decorative opportunity. IMATA will have an exclusive general session community this is a huge success as McDonald’s is one of the single largest buyers tortoiseshell trade is now illegal. (BBC Nature) room where our standard conference format will be held. of fish in the U.S. Other countries have gone sustainable already. As of October 2011 AZA sessions, including behavioral advances in the zoo the 7,000 McDonald’s stores in Europe have been serving MSC-certified fish. The Four New Ancient Species Discovered industry as well as other zoo and aquarium topics, will run MSC is an independent nonprofit organization that sets standards for sustainable Californian construction crews concurrently in separate meeting rooms. Attendees will fishing based on fish stock health, impacts of the fishery on its ecosystem, and the near Los Angeles inadvertently aided incur one registration fee and then have the opportunity to fisheries management system. (The Huffington Post) researchers in the discovery of four choose the IMATA general session presentations or any AZA new species of ancient while sessions of their interest. Many breaks and social events will working on a new road through Laguna Canyon in 2000. The crew exposed be combined to further enhance the experience, and expand an outcrop littered with whale fossils attendee networking opportunities. This ‘super conference’ dating back approximately 17 to 19 was the vision of our Liaison Committee Chairperson, Dave million years ago. Paleontologists Roberts, who made the initial contact with AZA over two NEW! Soundings website. accompanying the southern California years ago. Most recently, President Elect Bill Wolden, 2nd Fossilized whale teeth. Photo Credit: Cooper crew eventually uncovered hundreds Archaeological and Paleontological Center Vice President Kelly Flaherty Clark, and I worked closely I have just scratched the surface of the many happenings of whale bones and over 30 whale with AZA to finalize our agreement leading to the signing of among our Board of Directors and Committee Chairs. I cannot skulls in a five year period. In total, the MOU. We, along with AZA, are very excited about this say enough about the dedication of the many individuals that fossils from 11 whale species were classified, four of which were new discoveries that are ancestors of modern baleen whales, including the ancient forbears of blue collaborative opportunity! Kelly Flaherty Clark will continue serve our organization. As I reflect on the history of IMATA, it amazes me how progressive we have been as an organization whales (Balaenoptera musculus) and humpbacks (Megaptera novaeangliae). But the work as she further develops the conference program unlike current baleen whales, these four ancient whale species had teeth. They and social networking events with AZA. You can look forward over the past 40-plus years. Each year we advance, and new appear to represent the transitional step and are related to the animals that would to updates and greater details from Kelly in the near future. techniques for stronger animal training and care permeate eventually become the baleen whales of today. Prior to this discovery, it had been Meanwhile, 1st Vice President Michele Sousa has been into marine animal programs throughout the world. What an assumed that toothed baleen whales had become extinct five million years earlier very busy preparing this year’s conference - which is exciting thing to be a part of, and a reason for us to continue to than what is now believed. Three of the new species were fairly small, about sure to be a fun and exciting event in Las Vegas. march forward with pride. It is through the efforts of the many the size of modern-day dolphins. The fourth species, larger at nearly nine meters I don’t want to steal Michele’s thunder but volunteers that serve that we are able to continue advancing Hawksbill sea turtle. Photo Credit: Thinkstock (30 feet), is similar to another ancient whale species, Llanocetus denticrenatus, the board recently held our mid-year meeting and growing the organization. I am very much enjoying the which was thought to have gone extinct 35 million years ago. Anatomical, fossil, Only Have Eyes For One: Hawksbill Sea Turtles Are developmental and genetic evidence has shown that baleen whales (Mysticetes) in Las Vegas providing a sneak preview of opportunity to serve as IMATA’s President, and look forward Monogamous evolved from ancestors with teeth, and some fossilized baleen whales had both what this conference has to offer. We are to the second half of 2013 as we have much to look forward Researchers from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, , teeth and baleen at the same time. (National Geographic News) to in coming months. very excited to visit our host, Siegfried & found that the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is mainly monogamous. Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat Have a great summer season everyone! The process of “sperm storage” is found in some species of birds and reptiles, CONSERVATION BRIEFS is compiled by Shelly Samm. at the Mirage. The combination of site visits, including some turtles, tortoises and terrapins. This means that females are able conference presentations, and Las Vegas night life is sure to provide an enjoyable and entertaining week! See Michele’s Conference

4 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 5 The Nominations and Elections Committee is proud to present the following candidates for your consideration:

Nominee: Linda Erb Affiliation: Dolphin Research Center Nominations Linda swam with Mitzi, star of Flipper, leader and public speaker, and frequently CANDIDATES FOR as a child and from that moment dreamed represents DRC in media interviews and of having a dolphin as a friend. As an adult, programs. She is also Senior Professor By Shelley Wood, DIRECTOR SLOT one she became the first volunteer at Flipper’s at DRC’s recently established College of IMATA Past President Sea School and as the facility progressed Marine Mammal Professions. Elections to become Dolphin Research Center In 1978, Linda attended her first & (DRC), Linda progressed right along with IMATA conference. Since that time she has it. Now, 34 years later, she is a member of been actively involved, organizing the 2012 Candidates for IMATA’s Board of Directors 2014! DRC’s Steering Committee, helping Regional Workshop at DRC, presenting direct the company as Vice President of formal papers at many conferences and Animal Care and Training. She oversees not sharing her unique relationship-based It is my pleasure to present to the IMATA membership this year’s candidates for Director positions to the IMATA board. Each candidate has only the animals, but also the people who training method. She mentored many graciously committed their time, efforts, and leadership to support the advancement of the organization. Professional and active members are required work with them, helping all develop to their current leaders in the marine mammal to elect three professional members to the Board of Directors. The Board in turn will select officers for the three open slots on the Executive Committee full potential. community and continues to work daily with at the conclusion of the next annual meeting in Las Vegas. Linda has been instrumental in DRC’s both animals and trainers. Linda’s history growth and success. She developed the within the industry and with IMATA provides This year’s slate is made up of a variety of talented and dedicated professional members. The candidates are being presented in terms of the USA’s first structured dolphin swim program her with a unique insight to continue the responsibilities they each aspire to on the Executive Committee. Voting is conducted online and closes 1 July 2013. Please take a moment to vote! (Dolphin Encounter) and dolphin/human forward progress of our organization. The Presid lect therapy program (Dolphin Child), in 1986. trainer/animal partnership is the foundation The offices and the responsibilities the candidates would undertake include: ent E Her training experience also includes of all that we do, and IMATA is our educational shows, interactive training, conduit to share new ways to strengthen President Second Vice Third Vice husbandry and open-water work. Her that partnership. She is excited by the Secretary research accomplishments include multiple opportunity to serve the members of IMATA. Elect The Secretary keeps the minutes President President publications on cognition with bottlenose of all meetings of the Board of This position is a formal voting This position is a formal voting This position is a formal voting dolphins, including studies on numerosity Directors and the annual meetings member of the Board and member of the Board and and object permanence. She is a motivating member of the Board and of the membership. He/she Executive Committee; gives input Executive Committee; gives Executive Committee; provides works closely with the treasurer on policy decisions; assists 1st input on policy decisions; assists input on policy decisions; to process memberships, send Vice President in planning and the 2nd and 1st Vice Presidents CANDIDATES FOR assists the current president in out membership information, Nominee: Affiliation: Dolphin Discovery organizing the annual IMATA in planning and organizing Alex mata his or her duties; assumes the and keeps membership database DIRECTOR SLOT Two conference with help of the the annual IMATA conference office of President the following records. The Secretary performs At the age of 10 Alex decided he Alex has been a professional member Conference Committee; then with help of the Conference year and serves as Editorial direct correspondence with the wanted to be a Marine Biologist to learn of IMATA since 2005, attending his first succeeds to First Vice President Committee; succeeds to Second more about marine animals, and has conference in Indianapolis in 2007. He Director of Soundings and all membership as directed by the board. The position is served for and is responsible for all Vice President the following year never waivered in his passion. He earned has attended every year since and has other IMATA publications. The two years as Secretary, with the conference planning activities. while continuing to assist with his Marine Biology degree at Santiago de presented formal, informal and poster President establishes the yearly third year as Director at Large, conferences and planning; then Compostela University in Spain. His career presentations. Alex has been a member of began at , Vilaseca with IMATA leadership since 2010, as IMATA agenda then serves as Past assisting the newly incoming succeeds to First Vice President President and the Chairperson the third year and is responsible sea lions and dolphins, but he decided to regional reporter for Mexico, and also board member in learning and journey to Mexico where he was hired at as Membership Coordinator assisting for all conference planning of Nominations and Elections transferring secretary duties. Dolphin Discovery in 2001. Over the next in translations to foster communication Committee in the third year. activities. 12 years Alex gained experience in marine between Spanish speaking members and mammal interactive programs in both IMATA. Most recently, Alex was the video closed and open water facilities where he editor for the conference opening video trained his favorite animal, the manatee. in Hong Kong. Alex would be proud and The candidates are being presented in terms of the responsibilities they each aspire to on the Executive Committee. After being Secretary Alex is currently the Assistant Manager of honored to continue serving IMATA as elected to the Board by IMATA’s voting membership, each term runs for three consecutive years. These candidates have all stepped Animal Training and Education with Dolphin Secretary. forward to donate their time, talents, and effort to the service of our organization. So please, do your part and take a moment to vote. Discovery where his position allows him to work with his true passion (apart from his wife, son and training manatees), the trainer development program, which helps Voting is being conducted online. Please vote NOW at www.imata.org. keep the staff growing and learning. VOTING CLOSES ON 1 July 2013.

6 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 7 Al Futtaim Ventures, operator of Ski , is part of the largest developers in the Middle East, and the

CANDIDATES FOR Nominee: Kelly Flaherty Clark team there was determined to deliver this experience with skill, speed, and professionalism. The Operations DIRECTOR SLOT Three Affiliation: SeaWorld Orlando Director for Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment was charged with helping lead the team through the Kelly Flaherty Clark is the creative team for a sea lion show to “It Took a Tribe” to Create the First- complex process of developing a high-quality penguin Curator/Director of Animal Training for debut next spring. Kelly is a graduate of-a-kind Penguin Encounter in Dubai facility and encounter area inside a snow dome. With SeaWorld Orlando. Her responsibilities of The Ohio State University, has been such strong commitment from Senior Management, include overseeing the health, behavior with SeaWorld for more than 26 years, By Judy Petersen-Fleming it was a joy to see the speed and ease with which we modification, training and enrichment and is a published recipient of several were able to navigate existing corporate policies and for the Orlando animal collection. She animal training and husbandry awards. procedures to turn Snow Penguins at into a has multifaceted care, training and As IMATA’s 2nd Vice President, reality. performing experience with marine Kelly will contribute to the integrity merican author David Berreby Drawing on my experience and that of Majid Al Futtaim species from otters and birds to killer associated with a professional surmised in his “It Takes a Ventures while working with a dedicated team of passionate whales. Kelly has been an integral part organization’s reputation and hopes to ATribe” essay “that humans individuals who had been hand-picked to help realize this project, of the animal training and production facilitate the advancement of marine automatically and subconsciously, want my husband Bill Fleming and I were able to collaborate on the for more than 20 shows at SeaWorld animal husbandry, behavioral research and try to become a part of something business model for Snow Penguins at Ski Dubai. There were now Second dent and Busch Gardens; Blue Horizons and training. larger than them.” This philosophy is vice Presi five members in our ‘tribe’ who were working around the clock and One Ocean are guest favorites what the team creating the first-of- to make the Snow Penguins at Ski Dubai a reality. Our team in Orlando and she is currently on the a-kind penguin encounter in Dubai had in common. Each one of them consisted of people who had experience working with animals, those from wanted to be a part of something larger than themselves by encouraging a purely operations and finance background, thus making for a unique and environmental stewardship within the . interesting learning curve, that was inter-woven by a common thread: our It all started in December of 2011 when I traveled to Dubai on business. passion for this unique project. I went to Ski Dubai in the Mall of the Emirates and it was then that I had one Nominee: As part of our research for the project, we took an extensive United CANDIDATES FOR Suzanne Smith of those Ah-ha! moments. The snow park inside Ski Dubai has amazing ice States site tour to visit world-class animal facilities and ended up at last year’s caves full of nooks-and-crannies with snowy surprises around every corner. DIRECTOR SLOT Four Affiliation: International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA) conference in Audubon Aquarium of the Americas Outside the snow cave there are vast terrain changes with sledding, ski slopes, Miami. During the conference, we were able to add on to our international snow mounds and ice sculptures…the perfect playground for penguins! “tribe” as we interviewed trainers and animal caregivers from all around the Suzanne attended Salem State From 2006-2011, Suzanne was Once I found out the temperature is maintained at a chili negative four world and recruited two seasoned trainers and animal caregivers. College, while working at New England extremely proud to work as a trainer degrees Celsius and the snow is more clean and pristine than any snow in the We were successful in finding 14 of the best animal and penguin Aquarium, and received a B.A. in with SAIC training marine mammals world, it hit me: The pure quality of the snow and the air inside the snow caregivers from around the globe (including the two women we met at Psychology. After graduation, Suzanne for the U.S. Navy. She gained valuable dome made it an ideal environment for Antarctica penguins to thrive. IMATA), and also brought on board, industry legend Peter Dickinson as our moved to Gulfport, Mississippi to start experience there working on various I had worked around penguins when I started my career at SeaWorld Penguin Curator, who founded Zoo News Digest: the longest established her career as a dolphin, sea lion and bird projects including open water with in San Diego and more extensively with a variety of penguins when I moved and most widely read listing of current zoo related news on the internet. Peter trainer. While there, she developed her sea lions and dolphins. Suzanne has to Durban, South Africa, to transition the Durban to uShaka and the trainers all moved to Dubai to prepare for the New Year’s Eve arrival skills in animal training and husbandry since returned to New Orleans to Sea World. Having had that experience, there is one thing I know without a of ten gentoo penguins and ten king penguins from SeaWorld San Antonio. working with some amazing animals work for the Audubon Aquarium of the doubt: You simply cannot NOT smile when you see a penguin. Try it! As we celebrate the initiative’s first anniversary, hundreds of thousands and accomplished trainers. Suzanne Americas as the first time permanent In researching the background of Ski Dubai, I learned about the of people have visited the Snow Penguins at Ski Dubai, appreciating these wanted to expand her knowledge and Stranding & Rescue Coordinator for vision of the company behind the attraction and its founder, Mr. Majid comical birds up close. During this past year we couldn’t help but wonder if experience by working with different LMMSTRP. Al Futtaim. Mr. Majid Al Futtaim had created a world-class organization many of the guests that experienced the penguins also want to be a part of programs and different species. She Suzanne has been a member of including shopping malls, hotels, and leisure and entertainment outlets. I Third ent something larger than them, and do their part in taking better care of the earth. vice Presid was fortunate enough to be hired as the IMATA since 1994. As a member of believed that the company’s attitude toward delivering superior, can’t-be- training supervisor for a new facility in the Soundings team, she served as missed experiences, would lend itself perfectly to a snow penguin colony at BACK TO BASICS is compiled by Benjamin Schreiner Lima, Peru training new staff, training the Trainers Forum coordinator from Ski Dubai. . the resident dolphins, creating dolphin 1996-2006. She was then asked to On my trip to Dubai in 2011, I met with the CEO of Majid Al Futtaim interactive programs and developing take on the role as Associate Editor. Ventures’ Leisure & Entertainment, armed to share my proposal of having educational programs. Suzanne has attended many IMATA Snow Penguins at Ski Dubai. I was excited when he looked me straight in the When she returned to the United conferences over the past 20 years, eyes, shook his head and said, “Yes, we must have the best penguin encounter States, Suzanne began working for including international locations. In in the world!” I soon realized that the principles of innovation and taking a the Audubon Zoo as Senior Trainer in 2002, she organized an IMATA regional risk on something new and original are values that permeate throughout the the sea lion department. It was here conference for the Southeast and organization and have been established by Mr. Majid Al Futtaim himself. that she first trained other species has given several formal and poster Twelve months later on New Year’s Eve, ten king and ten gentoo penguins of animals such as komodo dragons, presentations. Suzanne would be arrived in Dubai from SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas! And six weeks later, African wildcats, caracals and tapirs honored to serve IMATA as 3rd Vice Snow Penguins at Ski Dubai was opened to Third vice President among others. She was also a part President. the public. of the team who helped develop the It truly took a “tribe” with a common Louisiana Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle goal to pull off a world-class penguin Rescue Program (LMMSTRP). encounter in this short timeline. Majid

8 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 9 Approach #1; his mind occupied, we trained a lot of new behaviors, going beyond show Solving a life-threatening Diet and Drugs and medical behaviors (P5), where he had learned so many new things and regurgitation problem in a So, based on these results, the staff decided to implement some new had become so proficient, to behaviors that were absolutely unnecessary. California sea lion through approaches. To keep him alive, our first objective was to increase his weight The goal was just to keep him occupied in training: for example, and among training and satiation. and to stabilize it. That meant trying to reduce the regurgitation or even others, playing tennis, finding objects, or playing with forms (P6). We even dreaming of stopping it, ending with the ability to place him back into the defined the number of new behaviors he had to learn per week, or per so Pablo Joury1, Alexandre Le Blanc1, Emilie Treviglio1, many days, to keep both the staff and Gypsy moving forward. 1 1 1 shows. For this, we decided to have all sessions on dry land first (because Christilla Bouchet , Candice Jourdan , Claudia Mahtali , We also started to reintroduce access to water, letting him go two or Alexis Maillot1, Vanessa Alerte1, and Geraldine Lacave2 he was only regurgitating when he was in the water). 1 Amneville Zoo, France Very quickly we realized that even one hour away from water access, three seconds in the water, without control, after a finish SD, and then calling 2 Marine Mammal Veterinary Services, Brugge, after a feeding session, was not enough time to stop regurgitation. Since him back and reinforcing him heavily when he had not regurgitated. However, he kept on regurgitating the moment he had access to water, we decided to very quickly, we saw that the animal anticipated this. And every time he did go to four hours after a session with no water access to make sure he could go to the water, or most of the time, he would regurgitate. We were also not possibly regurgitate. extremely strict in our use of operant conditioning. If he was leaving his Photo Credits: Pablo Joury However, the regurgitation continued. When his weight dropped down trainer to go to the water, we would stop the session and interaction for the to 86 Kg (189.5 lb) in November, it became often necessary to keep him the rest of the day. We wanted the animal to learn that he had no reward if he whole day away from the water, to make sure he received the necessary was leaving his trainer. He has to stay with his trainer to keep interacting and nutrients. to be reinforced. We also decided to keep him two full days per week with Around that time he had a third seizure. The conclusion was now that no access to water at all to make sure that he would receive enough food. the seizures were actually due to hypoglycemia. However, our veterinarians We knew we had reached our main goal, using this approach, because did not reject the possibility of an epileptic seizure. As a trial, our vets we were able to increase his weight and maintain it. Neither did he have decided to give him anti-epileptic drugs, to see if it would have an effect. any more epileptic-like seizures (so it was indeed probably not epilepsy, but Gipsy went three weeks without a seizure but he continued to regurgitate. more due to hypoglycemia). At this point, we can say we had saved his life. So they decided to do a connective study to check the concentration of the However, we were still not successful in reducing the regurgitation because drugs in his blood to determine efficacy. The results showed that he was not each time he had access to the water, or when he knew he could gain absorbing the drugs at all (everything was just regurgitated back). Because access to it, he would enter there had been no seizures, there was no use to continue with this kind of it and start regurgitating right away. We also noticed P6 P1 treatment. To prevent his weight from dropping, we decided to hold him two entire weeks with no access to water, just to help him retain his food that socially, this was not and not regurgitate. But, as one can imagine, this was not the best solution. something good because the animal was completely separated from the rest of In 2005, Amneville Zoo (France) opened it), whereas, during regurgitation, the animal Approach #2; Training the sea lion group in order to the biggest pinniped facility in Europe called controls the process; it’s a voluntary behavior. Because you can’t keep an animal permanently on dry land, we decided have access to the trainers La Baie des Lions de Mer (P1) with two During that summer Gipsy lost a lot to start a second approach based this time on training. Apparently, Gipsy’s all the time. outside fresh water pools of 2 million liters P2 of weight (from 119 Kg down to 95 Kg problem was not as much medical as behavioral and probably much more (528,344 gal), three inside saltwater pools and (262 to 209 lbs) and then, on 15 August, he had related to his activity level or his social situation. We decided to train a lot 400m2 (14,125 sq ft) of dry area. It presents what looked like an epileptic seizure. This seizure of new behaviors and spent a lot of time with him during extra sessions. Thoughts two different species of pinnipeds (Zalophus was very traumatic for the training team, but at In our institution we have 12 animals in total and we have a team of As an answer to our hypothesis, we cannot say that lack of stimulation californianus and Otaria byronia) in the same the end of August he had a second much more five trainers with generally only three trainers working per day. We decided was really the ONLY problem. Because he was kept very, very busy, but area and performing in shows together. From severe seizure. During this second seizure he to dedicate two staff persons, full-time, alternatively during the day, to more that his regurgitation was becoming more and more self-reinforcing, the beginning, the show was a great success. forcefully vomited, had very strong diarrhea, and the training of Gipsy. Our goal was to try to have a 3 to 7 minute training and more interesting to him than training with us. However, in July 2009, one of the animals then suddenly dropped, stiffened, and appeared session every 10 minutes. The final goal was to keep Gipsy as stimulated as But we still had a lot of other tasks to do in our park, and it was very started exhibiting a strange behavior catching dead. Gipsy, apparently suffered cardiac arrest possible. At the time we were still keeping him a lot on dry land and, to keep difficult to dedicate two full persons (out of a staff of three per day) the the attention of all the training team. and was declared dead by the zoo veterinarians. While whole day to only one animal, constantly. As we realized this was a Gipsy (P2) is a male California sea lion born P3 transporting him in a stretcher towards backstage, he permanent problem, we decided to work on a third approach. under human care, who arrived in Amneville Zoo in unexpectedly resuscitated. June 2004. Because he’s sharing the environment Because, or may be just thanks to this event, we Approach #3; Observations with two other full-grown males it was decided decided to do everything in our power to help him and and Satiation to castrate him. He was generally a very high performance show animal thereby save his life. We were definitely convinced that regurgitation was the consequence until the summer of 2009. In July of that year, the staff realized that he had The highest probability for a seizure would be of neurological origin. The vet of an extremely highly self-reinforcing behavior. Based on a paper that started to play with fish and was anticipating the end of the sessions. His department worked through the different diagnoses that could lead to such a was presented years ago by Tish Flynn during an IMATA conference, on diet was adjusted and we also modified his show participation. However, by problem. We thought of lead poisoning or a consequence of Parvovirus infection the treatment of a regurgitation problem in a walrus by satiation, and August of that year, he was actually leaving all sessions to regurgitate (P3)! (there were a lot of animals infected in the zoo at that time); we considered recommended by our consultant Dr. Geraldine Lacave, we decided to use We quickly realized that he was only regurgitating when he was in toxins, brain tumor, tuberculosis, and possibly hypoglycemia as a consequence of satiation to try to fix the problem. the water, as he seemed to need a specific head movement to expel the starvation through regurgitation. Therefore, it was first decided to perform a CT We wanted the trainers to go back to their original tasks because we fish. By then we knew we were facing a regurgitation problem. As a quick scan with this animal (P4). The CT scan showed that his stomach and brain were still had the other animals to take care of. We also wanted to let the animal reminder, and to differentiate between vomiting and regurgitation, vomiting normal, which ruled out some of the possible physical causes for his regurgitation. go back with the rest of the group and have access to the water again. is something that is completely involuntary (the animal has NO control of Therefore, we decided to hire interns to observe Gipsy non-stop when he P4 P5 was with the other animals, when he was alone, when he was working

10 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 11 were reached; Gipsy is alive and healthy. The protocol helped in controlling his weight loss. Gipsy, changing the spray type on the hose nozzle. The animals chose to play who is a very important animal for with the shower toy more often and for longer periods of time when P7 P8 our shows, resumed participating in the shower type was set to the “jet” stream, so we now only use that these, started interacting more with setting. the other animals, and gained back Today, the dolphins continue to utilize the shower toy often as Shower Power! A simple toy to part of a rotating enrichment program. Even if the water is not running, his place in our social group (P10). enable dolphins to take action However, this is not a win-win the dolphins will still push the button often, so it seems that the toy is with us, when he was on dry land, during shows, during resting time, in situation, but a give and take. Often with their enrichment. enriching even outside of its original purpose. the main pool, backstage, etc., literally all the time. Interns recorded those after a huge fish container the animal would We are very excited that we were able to let our dolphins get what observations on charts, in an attempt to determine if there was a trend in be so full he would not come over for a session P10 Hisako Ikeda, Masayuki Komaba, Nobuhito Osada, they want through their own will and actions, but we know they will his regurgitation problem. but would rather just go out to a rock and stay Hitoshi Nakano, Kumiko Komaba, Akihiro Kawakubo benefit from constantly changing up how they interact with the device. After the first month of observations, and preliminary results, we decided to in the sun for hours. And for us this is acceptable because, indeed, at that Kujukushima Aquarium, Japan Future plans for the shower toy include increasing the spray variety and implement our third approach. Meanwhile, we had kept on doing all those extra time, he is not regurgitating. number of showerheads, as well as adapting this idea to other toys. training sessions as before, however now we would offer him a huge container After acquiring two bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and one Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus) four years ago, staff at the ENRICHING ENVIRONMENTS is compiled by Ronnie Smith. of fish, up to 20 Kg (44 lb) at once, everyday (P7, P8). Since we wanted to offer What about now? him much, much more fish than before, we also developed many, many more Kujukushima Aquarium created a diverse enrichment Gipsy is now stable, and even reached 160 Kg (352.7 lb) this summer. program to stimulate our animals. The dolphins were secondary reinforcements or ways for him to have access to food through toys, We continue to teach him a lot of new behaviors to occupy his mind. He games, and enrichments. With these observations, we gathered a huge amount very interested in interacting with toys, listening 1 2 now seldom leaves the show or a training session to regurgitate. But we are to music and watching TV, but we wanted to give of data, kilometers and kilometers (miles and miles) of data. still very watchful with him and continue to note all that happens. At this The first month of observations confirmed that there was no them the option to get what they want by taking point, he often likes to play with the last fish of his session but he is far from action themselves. So staff members went to the correlation between trainers, time of the day, nor pool, but that he was regurgitating like he was doing before. indeed regurgitating when going to the water and this amounted to 42% drawing table to create a manageable, flexible toy that allowed the dolphins to choose enrichment of the time. It also showed that other nearby animals were, actually, very General conclusion beneficial in the situation. Two females in particular who were always they could activate when they wanted, without Regurgitation is a complex behavior to control. We might, or will, trying to go behind him to have access to his regurgitated fish. When they human manipulation. probably never eliminate completely the regurgitation behavior in an animal. were with him, he regurgitated less, because he did not want them to have We decided to create a toy that dispenses water It’s important to try to diminish it as much as possible and to make sure that his fish. Using this group setup was, for example, one of our means to at the press of a button. The mechanics of our animal- the animal is not losing more calories than he is absorbing. Observations and diminish regurgitation frequency. Those observation charts further helped activated shower prototype was inspired by the team communication are extremely important to assess the gravity of the us to objectively quantify his regurgitation frequency. Within one month of traditional Japanese hot spring facilities, using their problem objectively. The satiation approach worked very well in our case. implementation of the satiation protocol, his regurgitating time in the water plumbing ideas to prevent using excess hot water and However, we found out that it is a permanent treatment. It should never dropped from 42% to 12%. For the first time since the summer of 2009, wasting energy. The device itself is quite simple: all be stopped. It became apparent to us that an animal with such a problem Gipsy spent several days without regurgitating. plumbing and mechanical parts are hidden inside the needs to have a higher percentage of his time filled with occupational But we also made some mistakes along the way, and learned from them. device platform and the activation button is the only activities, training, and enrichment to diminish the self-reinforcing behavior 3 5 First mistake, the animal was receiving his full-fish-container backstage. thing exposed in the front. The “button” the dolphins of regurgitating. And finally, never give up. In our situation we really thought At the beginning, we used to give this huge container on a daily basis. push on the front of the device is actually a self-closing Gipsy was dead and we really thought we had lost him! However, the animal quickly figured this out and started to refuse to go push tap that can be set to allow water out for varying out, even after long working sessions with a lot of primary reinforcement, periods of time. We used large adhesive discs to if he did not receive attach the whole system to the deck and windows of his full-fish-container our pool. 4 afterwards. We then In the beginning, the toy was placed on the deck started to randomly next to the pool and we set the system to provide a give the container and spray of water for approximately 10 seconds. We recaptured our control waited excitedly for the dolphins to interact with the P9 of the animal’s leaving toy, but they rarely did. We trained one of our dolphins the area. to interact with the toy, but even she was not too 6 In two years time References interested. Back to the drawing board! 1: Window Play his weight increased Flynn, T. (1987). Conditions and treatment of an eating disorder in a Pacific walrus – Realizing that perhaps a toy on deck was not the 2: Toy Behind incredibly going from an anecdotal report. Proceeding of the 15th annual IMATA conference, New Orleans most appealing item to marine animals, we decided 3: Head Push 86 Kg to 150 Kg (189.5 (pp, 39-46). to position the button underwater to encourage the 4: Body Push to 330.7 lbs) (P9). But animals to explore the toy more. Although other 5: Jet Spray Editor's Note: This paper received the following award during the our second mistake during the summer of 2010 was to reduce the number of toys were in the pool, we observed a big increase 6: Spray Tail 35th IMATA conference at Indianapolis, IN: the 2nd place Husbandry ‘jackpot’-fish-containers over time as we thought we had fixed the problem. in interaction with the shower toy when the button Training Award. Photo Credits - As a result, the animal started to regurgitate more again and lose weight was underwater. The dolphins began using the Kujukushima Aquarium gradually. We realized it is very important and necessary to maintain those toy more often, rubbing their head or body on the The author is willing to correspond with interested trainers. You can satiation containers on a regular basis to maintain his weight. button and exposing various parts of their body to the contact Pablo Joury at either [email protected] or As a conclusion of our third approach, we can say that the satiation spray. Success! [email protected]. program worked very well with this particular animal. All our objectives We found that the dolphins lost interest in the shower toy over time, so we spiced things up a bit by

12 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 13 By Michele Sousa, IMATA's First Vice President 2013 Conference Countdown Once again we are going to Las Vegas for the 41st annual IMATA conference. We are hard at work making this an amazing conference for everyone. It’s time to Outernet Technologies Award • Criteria snapshot: get organized and plan your trip! SAIC Biosolutions Art Contest • Recognizes the best or most innovative use of • 500 words or less science and technology in training sessions, • Current IMATA member in good standing Conference Dates Opening Video • Science Applications International Corporation and dolphins enjoy the Vegas sun and a posh resort husbandry, conference presentations, or • Attending 2013 IMATA Conference in Las Vegas Conference start date – 8 September 2013 This year's theme is “Working Together” (SAIC) is once again sponsoring this year’s like the millions of human tourists who visit the city record keeping for any formal, informal, or • Winner will receive FREE CONFERENCE Conference end date – 13 September 2013 Check the website for further details. Art Contest. each year. poster presentation. REGISTRATION and will present their essay All footage must be received by 1 August 2013. • Criteria and instructions are available on-line at http://lasvegas2013.imata.org/art_contest • All presentations are automatically eligible for during the Opening Ceremonies of the conference. Roommate Finding Service • Criteria snapshot - All art submitted in one of this award. If you need help finding a roommate for Join IMATA’s 2013 Judging Team three categories: • Criteria for this award available on-line at Live Art Auction the conference to help lower your room rate • We are looking for a diverse group of IMATA • Humor http://lasvegas2013.imata.org/awards Bill & Billy are back to emcee a hilarious please use our “Find a Roommate” service members to form a comprehensive panel of • Art • Winners will receive monetary awards: $200 live auction. located on the IMATA conference website at judges. • Photography (USD) for 1st Place and $100 (USD) for 2nd Place Conference Hotel http://lasvegas2013.imata.org • Criteria needed to be met to be selected Career Nights x2 The Mirage Hotel & Casino as a judge: • To enter the IMATA Art Contest, simply bring • Career Night #1 = Resume Review and Sonny Allen Professional • 3400 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 • Be an Active or Professional IMATA your art to the conference where we will be Interview Skill Workshops Animal Training Seminar Achievement Award • Room Rates $139 (this includes resort fee) member in GOOD standing collecting and displaying all submissions. • Sign up for the Resume Review event now as Ken Ramirez will be conducting two different Nominations due by 30 August 2013 • Book your room early, conference may sell out! • NOT presenting or authoring a paper or • Winners will receive monetary awards: $200 space is limited. training courses to be held on 8 September 2013. • Honors an individual who has demonstrated poster this year (USD) for 1st Place and $100 (USD) for 2nd • Career Night #2 = Deluxe Job Fair and Job 9:00 am - 12:30 pm; Introduction to Animal a dedication to the field of marine mammal Transportation • Have NOT been a judge in the past 3 years Place and $100 for Overall Winner. Interview Room Training - A basic look at animal training with science, training, and service to IMATA • Fly into McCarran International Airport • Able to attend ALL formal presentations a focus on both the science and the practical • Criteria for nominations available on-line at • Take taxi to hotel = North Strip $16.00 - $21.00 applications. The seminar is designed for the and view all posters Editor’s Choice Award Sponsorship Opportunities • Given to expanded abstract that most http://lasvegas2013.imata.org/awards • To Strip hotels = $7.00 one way; $13.00 round trip beginner of student who wants to learn about the • Able to keep your identity as a judge a • We are actively collecting sponsorships for this effectively and accurately follows the • Nominations submitted to our current IMATA • Parking at the hotel is FREE!! basics, or the experienced trainer who wants to SECRET for entire conference year’s conference which allows us to provide • Attended a minimum of two annual formatting guidelines for Proceedings and President, Eric Gaglione at [email protected] a lower conference registration rate, which brush up on the science or look for new ways to IMATA Conferences requires the least amount of editing. allows us to off-set the costs associated with Host Facility teach it. Essay Contest • If you meet these criteria, please contact • All submitted abstracts are automatically running the meeting. Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm; Non-Food Reinforcers • All essays due by 1 August 2013 Nicole O’Donnell at [email protected] eligible for this award. • If you are interested in becoming a $2,500 Dolphin Habitat - An advanced seminar that looks at how to • Write an essay that answers the following immediately! • Abstract criteria and award rules are available Facility Sponsor – please contact Michele The wildest part of Las Vegas isn't necessarily systematically train and maintain non-food questions: “What does IMATA mean to you? • All judges will receive 50% discounted on-line at http://lasvegas2013.imata.org Sousa at [email protected] the nightlife. Right on the Las Vegas Strip is an reinforcers. The seminar will explore novel stimuli How has IMATA helped or changed the lives of conference registration and a GIFT OF THANKS. • Winner will receive monetary award of $300 • For a complete list of sponsorship attraction that defines wild in Vegas in a whole like clapping as well as reinforcers such as tactile your animals or yourself?” (USD) sponsored by Dolphin Connection opportunities available, please review the new way. Welcome to Siegfried and Roy's Secret and play and how to evaluate whether or not the • Submit essay on-line at http://lasvegas2013. Conference Sponsor and Exhibitor Packet at Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage Hotel animal truly finds these things reinforcing. imata.org/essay_contest & Casino where white tigers and lions, leopards http://lasvegas2013.imata.org/sponsorship_ opportunities

14 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 15 a completely different behavior. We repeated this technique Once the Combination concept is taught, we can pair it until the animals understood the concept and offered either with other concepts the dolphins may know. For example, a different or a novel behavior each time they were given the dolphins that understand the Repeat concept can be asked to Innovate signal. repeat Combo behaviors. Want to see that talking, pectoral- We came across a couple of challenges during the waving, dive again? Simply give the Repeat signal! We also training process for Innovate. First, the dolphins or sea lions sometimes pair dolphins together on Combo behaviors. For developed a bias towards performing certain behaviors. In example, most of our dolphins know a ‘kiss’ behavior wherein order to overcome this obstacle we became consistent with they touch snouts together. We can combine that with many our reinforcement. Once we gave the same reward for every behaviors including spin, tummy, and – most spectacularly - behavior, the bias quickly resolved itself. Another challenge we can ask a number of our dolphins to kiss while doing flying- was the animals’ desire to chain behaviors. For example, forward-tail-walks. Even more incredible, they will repeat that each time Aleta, a 27-year-old , was kissing-flying-forward-tail-walk on the Repeat signal! given the Innovate signal, she would first do the raspberry vocalization, then spin in a circle, and finally move her head Ad-Libs BEYOND BASICS: up and down. Once we realized her pattern of performing Finally, Ad-libbing is where the dolphins can do any the same behaviors in the same order, we interrupted it by behavior from their repertoire or create something new. Our TRAINING DOLPHINS (Tursiops truncatus) AND SEA LIONS (Zalophus californianus) giving more cues, (i.e. signals for different behaviors). This signal for Ad-lib is to simply push our coolers back from the technique proved successful in breaking the chain. front of the dock. Then we reinforce the dolphins for any THE ‘CONCEPT BEHAVIORS’ INNOVATE, REPEAT, COMBOS, AND AD-LIBS Once this concept is trained, the dolphin or sea lion behavior they do. This can include everything from sitting at Jamie P. Stevens, Sarah E. Brignac, and Loriel Keaton – Dolphin Research Center will continue to offer different behaviors on each Innovate the front of the dock, to vocal behaviors, to high breaches out signal until the trainer interrupts the sequence. The number in the middle of the lagoon. Sometimes the dolphins are very of times in a row that a trainer asks for Innovate varies, creative and sometimes they choose to do the same behavior Dolphin Research Center (DRC), located in the Florida Keys, is home to all the behaviors of their repertoire without any cues from trainers. This ‘Ah- but we find that both our dolphins and sea lion offer long over and over again, but the main point of this concept is for 22 Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and three California Sea Ha!’ or ‘light bulb’ moment, as we call it, can be different for each dolphin or sequences of different behaviors with little difficulty. So, how the dolphins to do what they want to do. This varies from the Lions (Zalophus californianus). At DRC, we have found that there is more sea lion, but typically occurs after they learn to repeat four to six behaviors. do the animals know when a particular Innovate sequence is Innovate concept in which the dolphin must do a different to training dolphins and sea lions than just basic behaviors. DRC has been When we first began teaching the Repeat concept, we were met with complete? DRC’s rule is that when a trainer gives any other behavior each time. During these Ad-lib periods, the trainers doing language-like training for over 30 years. It has passed from trainer two main challenges. Initially, we thought it would be best to introduce this signal besides the one for Innovate, the sequence is broken. can capture new behaviors and put them on a signal. In one to trainer as a fun and creative way to enrich our dolphins and sea lions concept using just one behavior at a time. This was not very successful Then, if the trainer decides to ask for Innovate later in the example, our largest male dolphin, Sandy, invented a belly while challenging our staff’s training skills. By teaching our dolphins and sea however, because the animal associated the Repeat signal with only that same session, the animal can repeat behaviors from the flop paired with his signature funny noise. He constantly lions concept behaviors, such as Innovate and Repeat, we determined they behavior, making it difficult to incorporate new ones. Now, whenever we previous sequence if they choose. We find that our dolphins offered this behavior during ‘Ad-Lib time’ and the trainers could understand much more than simply performing a single behavior for train the Repeat concept, we use a minimum of two to three behaviors. and sea lion understand this concept and distinguish the loved it, put it on signal, and now it is a favorite of Sandy’s in one signal (Sd). We identify a concept behavior not as a specific, physical This seems to help the dolphin or sea lion understand the concept faster. beginning and end of Innovate sequences multiple times in his sessions. When he sees the signal he bolts away from the behavior, but rather as a RULE the animal can apply to its entire behavioral Another technique we tried in the early training was to only use behaviors the same session with little difficulty. dock, explodes into mid-air shaking his head and vocalizing, repertoire, thus demonstrating the understanding of an abstract idea. that occurred right at the dock, such as vocalizations. We soon learned splashes his 272 kg (600 lb) body back into the water, then Additionally, by training an animal multiple concept behaviors, we have the dolphins trained with this method had difficulty repeating high-energy Combos returns to the dock making his excited ‘honking’ noise, as if discovered that not only can they apply a single concept to their behavioral behaviors that occurred away from the dock. To overcome this challenge we A combination concept, or Combo, is when the dolphin to say, “That was awesome, wanna see it again?” We do not repertoire, but can also learn additional concepts to apply to the same started incorporating high-energy behaviors, such as forward dives, earlier or sea lion is asked to do two or more behaviors at the same experience relapses with these captured behaviors, possibly behavioral repertoire – showing they discriminate between the concepts in the training process and discovered it helped the dolphins reach their Ah- time. We have found that a few of our dolphins are successful because they are the dolphins’ ideas, and trainers respond themselves. Many other researchers and trainers have done similar work, Ha! moment sooner. at combining up to four behaviors at once. Teaching the with such enthusiasm to their creativity! but this paper will focus on DRC’s approach to the concept behaviors of combination concept is different from the other concepts we At Dolphin Research Center, our dolphins and sea lions Innovate, Repeat, Combination Behaviors (Combos), and Ad-Libs, how we Innovate teach at DRC in that the dolphins are not introduced to a new have embraced the creativity and challenge of learning trained them, and the issues we had to resolve. The Innovate concept is when the dolphin or sea lion offers a different signal. Instead, they are given two or more signals in a row, concepts in a big way. Out of our current 25 animals, over behavior each time they are shown the Innovate signal. They can offer then expected to perform these behaviors simultaneously. 90% of them know one concept behavior, 80% of them know Repeat either known behaviors from their repertoire or new behaviors not yet on a They are essentially receiving a ‘full sentence’ of information two concept behaviors, and two of our dolphins, Merina and DRC’s criterion for the Repeat behavior is exactly as it sounds: the dolphin signal (i.e. not under behavioral control), so long as they perform a different and then processing the request to complete a new single Talon, know all four of the concept behaviors. It is interesting or sea lion should repeat the last behavior requested by the trainer. When behavior each time they see the Innovate signal repeated. For example, you chain of behaviors. DRC has found success teaching this to note that our dolphins and sea lions can distinguish introducing this concept we begin by pairing the signal with a few behaviors give the Innovate signal and the dolphin waves – bridge and reward; you concept by using a simple, straightforward method. Combos between these four concepts within the same training that are completely different from each other. For example, we may select give the signal again and the dolphin jumps – bridge and reward; you give are always requested in a specific order of lower energy session, showing a true understanding of them. a vocalization, a stomach display, and a pectoral wave. The dolphin is given the signal again, and the dolphin spits water – bridge and reward. As long behaviors to higher energy behaviors. For example, the cues There are many benefits to training concept behaviors. the signal for pectoral wave and bridged for a correct response. Then we as you continue giving the signal in that sequence, the dolphin should offer a for talk, pectoral waves, and dive are given in that order, and First, we find that the public is fascinated to see dolphins and immediately give the dolphin the Repeat signal, followed by the cue of different behavior. As with the Repeat behavior, when teaching the Innovate the response would be a dolphin jumping while vocalizing sea lions demonstrating their cognitive abilities in a fun and showing the pectoral wave signal again. Then we gradually fade out the concept the dolphins or sea lions are given clues as to what the signal and waving their pectoral flippers. Trainers came up with creative way. Innovate and Ad-libs particularly demonstrate cue. We alternate between the three selected behaviors in the session, means. In the early training, we gave the Innovate signal followed by a brief this order through trial and error. We realized that when the how ‘out-of-the-box’ animals can be when they are not giving all of them equal attention. Once the dolphin or sea lion repeats these pause. If the dolphin or sea lion offered any behavior at all, we bridged and high-energy signal was given first, the animal would not wait constrained by standard approaches. These concepts allow three behaviors consistently and appropriately on the Repeat signal, we rewarded. Then we asked for Innovate again. Usually, the animal offered the to receive more information. Therefore the last signal given our presentations and our relationships with our dolphins and introduce other behaviors from their repertoire. At some point during the previously bridged behavior. At this point, we gave the Innovate signal again, (usually a high energy behavior, but not always) becomes the sea lions to be more collaborative, exciting, and refreshing. training process, they begin to generalize the Repeat signal and apply it to then immediately cued the dolphin or sea lion by showing them a signal for release that says, ‘Go for it!’ We encourage you to try it. You and your animals will enjoy the challenges of these brainteasers!

16 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 17 w/ Dr. Lisa Harrenstien, What’s DVM, DACZM Zoological Medical Consultant Up Doc? will treat all of these possibilities, but if your physician is made aware of the infectious agents that might be making your wound worse, his or her treatment plan will Which animal-transmitted diseases should a marine be more effective. And remember, dilution is the key to animal trainer be aware of? resolving pollution; thorough washing of the wound (even with tap water, if that is all you have got) will go a long way toward preventing a more serious infection. Skin disease is not the only thing to watch for related to marine animal origin zoonotic agents. Many types of symptoms and body organ systems can be There are many types of bacteria, fungus, viruses and your physician is aware of the possibility of mycobacteriosis if you involved with zoonotic disease, including respiratory parasites that can be transmitted between marine animals and are seeking care for a skin wound or abscess that doesn’t look like signs, eyelid irritation (conjunctivitis), diarrhea, their trainers. The diseases that they cause are called zoonoses it is healing quickly enough. Other zoonotic skin infections include neurological disease, kidney failure, or general flu- (“zoh–oh-no-sees”), and the germs themselves are zoonotic “seal finger” (caused by Mycoplasma spp. or Erysipelothrix), like malaise symptoms. Some of these zoonotic agents agents. Although the number of potential zoonotic agents is too “beluga finger”, and others caused by Bisgaardia, poxvirus, include mycobacteria (including those that cause plentiful to list here, the good news is that most zoonoses can be calicivirus (San Miguel sea lion virus), herpes virus, Pseudomonas, tuberculosis), Brucella, Leptospira, Erysipelothrix, Salmonella, Plesiomonas, Candida yeast, Aspergillus Celebrates prevented with basic hygiene practices including hand-washing Staphylococcus, Clostridium perfringens, Vibrio, Corynebacterium, (a full 20 seconds!), use of protective equipment (gloves, masks, Nocardia, Aeromonas, Klebsiella, Edwardsiella, Lacazia fungus fungus, influenza virus, and the parasites Baylisascaris, and boots), and proper cleaning of dive equipment (wetsuits, (lobomycosis), and Candida fungus. There is no magic drug that Cryptosporidium and Strongyloides. When diving to th drysuits, dive masks, and mouthpieces). clean an animal enclosure, your lips and ears are IMATA's 40 ! Pregnant or immunosuppressed staff vulnerable to contamination with fecal-related bacteria, members will have specific concerns about almost all of which can cause human illness. As with wounds, rinsing your mouth either with lots of tap water contact with animal-origin infectious Pregnancy puts keeper Sara Morgan at a higher risk for zoonoses. Be a part of IMATA history! agents. Ask your facility’s dive safety or dilute chlorhexidine mouthwash after a dive will help Wearing protective equipment, such as gloves, helps reduce the risk. officer, veterinarian or occupational health to reduce the potential for contamination and infection. IMATA is preparing to physician for recommendations unique Prey meat (fish, poultry, beef, horsemeat) fed to to your situation, or go to the following marine animals can contain or be contaminated with celebrate its 40th Anniversary website document for a good start: http:// zoonotic agents, which can transfer to the person swfsc.noaa.gov/uploadedFiles/Divisions/ preparing or feeding out these diet items. Gloves with a commemorative issue PRD/Programs/Photogrammetry/Marine_ should be worn when preparing diets or during feeding Mammal_Zoonoses_Final_Report-2.pdf. sessions, to reduce your risk of zoonotic disease. There is also a much more recent marine Not considered infectious diseases, but still of of Soundings and we want you mammal zoonoses review article written concern, are the toxins that can be encountered when by Waltzek, Cortés-Hinojosa, Wellehan working with marine mammal carcasses, for example, to be involved. Jr., and Gray (2012) from the University of brevetoxins in the gastrointestinal tract (or even in Florida that can be found at http://www. the air of a surf zone where a large animal might be ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22697432. necropsied), or domoic acid in urine or feces. Take time This is your chance to tell us... Many bacteria that are naturally- to stock up on functional personal protective equipment occurring in marine and freshwater for necropsies, including masks that still allow you environments can be disease-causing to breathe, coveralls or tyvek suits that allow some What does IMATA mean to you? (pathogenic) in people, either by contact with ventilation (you can cut a large oval out along your an infected animal or with contaminated back), and safety glasses or goggles that do not fog up. water from a marine or aquatic enclosure. As with most diseases, an ounce of prevention is worth What role has IMATA played in improving a pound of cure. In animal care staff, skin wounds are your career? common, regardless of whether they are Of course, the risk of acquiring a zoonotic disease caused by our physically demanding jobs, is low compared to the enjoyment and fulfillment that a simple paper cut, or an actual animal we get from working with marine animals. Being aware How has IMATA improved the welfare of the bite. Mycobacteria such as Mycobacterium of disease transmission risks will hopefully keep both marinum, M. fortuitum and M. ulcerans are you and your animals healthier. animals in your care? commonly present in the water our animals WHAT’S UP DOC? is compiled by Jen DeGroot live in, and they can cause skin abscesses Written submissions should be a maximum of or deeper infections, especially when they contaminate abrasions or puncture wounds. 250 words. Photos and videos are encouraged. “Fish handler’s disease” is a common name for a zoonotic mycobacterial infection. Mycobacterial infections require specific Submission deadline 1 July 2013 to drugs for effective treatment, so make sure [email protected] Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo

18 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 19 The following reports were submitted for publication on 28 February, 2013.

EUROPE NORTH CENTRAL REGION EUROPE SOUTH CENTRAL REGION at work preparing for their annual examinations and are Photo Credit: Falgory Taronga Zoo – Sydney, AUSTRALIA CARIBBEAN ISLANDS REGION Ocean Park The Taronga Zoo marine mammal team has been Bernard Collie, Atlantis Paradise Island – Christiane Thiere, Tiergarten Nuremberg – Pablo Joury, Amnéville Zoo – Amnéville, France engaging in some excellent training discussions on how working closely with the zoo’s conservation manager to Paradise Island, Bahamass Nuremberg, Germany to achieve their training goals for 2013. Congratulations develop a program about sustainable seafood. For the Amnéville Zoo – Amnéville, FRANCE to Dr. Luis Roque, Sheldon, and Rudelle Smuts, and last few years, the seal show has focused on having a Dolphin Cay Atlantis – Nassau, BAHAMAS Delphinarium Muenster – Muenster, GERMANY At the Amnéville Zoo, the sea lion bay team is Andrew Damon as the stork has been extremely busy sustainable seafood message but it has now has been Georgie, a three-year-old West Indian manatee Delphinarium Muenster started the winter season proud to welcome two female South American sea over the last few months delivering new dolphin trainers taken to the next level. Taronga Zoo has joined forces (Trichechus manatus), is back at Dolphin Cay for the preparing for the transport of all three Atlantic lions (Otaria flavescens) from Valencia, Spain. Lia and and dolphin doctors. with the large supermarket chain, Woolworths, to second time. Georgie was born to Rita in Spanish bottlenose dolphins for early 2013. Another big focus Greta arrived in January and are very well. They are further the sustainable seafood conservation campaign, Wells, Bahamas in 2010. In October 2011, the pair were is reshaping and training new behaviors with the performing in shows and are very calm and cool. The Emirates Park Zoo – Abu Dhabi, in order to help customers make sustainable seafood spotted in the busy Nassau harbor and relocated to California sea lions, which will take over the main part seven resident California and South American sea lions UNITED ARAB EMIRATES choices. The marine mammal team also recently took Dolphin Cay by the Atlantis Animal Rescue Team. After of the newly designed show. are welcoming and interacting with the two females. The training of the South African fur seals part in a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) workshop Chien Kuo-Chieh. Dolphins at Farglory Ocean Park being monitored for 6 months by the marine mammal (Actrocephalus pussilus) at Emirates Park Zoo is going celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. to better understand the issue of sustainable seafood. staff, they were released to Great Harbour Cay (GHC), Allwetterzoo Muenster – Muenster, GERMANY Asterix delphinarium – Paris, FRANCE well. The main focus is on medical behaviors in which Two Marine Mammal Keepers are also on their way Berry Islands, Bahamas to join a resident manatee The flourishing penguin breeding program of the After a fantastic season followed by a winter full of all animals are achieving great results. The first scan for ASIA REGION to Antarctica to be guest lecturers on two separate population. Satellite tags allowed them to be monitored Allwetterzoo Muenster has been well-known for many snow, the marine mammal team is ready to kick off the the pregnant female, Molly, is planned for March. Still, Antarctic cruises. They will present on Antarctic seal and in June 2012, Rita and Georgie split. At that point Philip Wong, Ocean Park – Hong Kong, China years. In some years, 20 to 25 Black-footed penguin 2013 season full of energy. The staff has begun show Swan and Sanga are now the stars of the first ever Sea species, as well as, the role of zoos in conservation. Georgie moved from the Berry Islands to Abaco. (Speniscus demersus) grew up in the program. Only a rehearsals for the grand re-opening on 30 March. The Lion Interaction program in the UAE. Daily encounters Cooper, the 5-year-old California sea lion, has Recently concern was raised by BMMRO, who few European zoological gardens have comparable sea lions are currently learning a larger repertoire of Farglory Ocean Park – Hualien, TAIWAN with the resident animals are now available for all recently had a CT scan on his teeth which resulted in was monitoring her, about her general appearance. breeding success. In summer 2012, 14 chicks were behaviors to debut in the new show. Farglory Ocean Park will celebrate one of the three expatriates, locals and tourists of the UAE. The staff specialist surgery. He is recovering well from this. A decision was made by the Department of Marine raised and 12 more hatched in December and January. Finally, the trainers and the animals would like biggest festivals in the Chinese culture, the Dragon welcomes new trainers Ryan, Mark, Sandy and Jeffrey Resources for the Dolphin Cay animal rescue team to Considering the on-going threat for the survival to welcome their new trainer from the Netherlands, Boat Festival, held on 12 June 2013. The traditional to the seal team and within the family. The facility also Photo Credit: Taronga Zoo relocate her to Atlantis. On 26 January 2013, Georgie of this species, the penguins’ reproduction rate in the Fleur Besnyoi. story commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a great saw record numbers of guests over the December/ was successfully rescued and relocated to Dolphin Allwetterzoo Muenster is especially eminent. Hence, Chinese poet, who killed himself by jumping into the January period. Cay. Georgie will undergo a series of general health a huge amount of time and effort are invested in the Miluo River because the emperor distrusted him due to Zoo Marine – Rome, ITALY evaluations and once Georgie is healthy, the team will breeding so as to bring up as many chicks as possible. slanderous talk. The legend says that the local people The staff at the Zoo Marine dolphin facility have Fakieh Aquarium – Jeddah, relocate her back to GHC, Berry Islands with the hope The penguins are hatching their eggs and feeding the dropped sticky rice triangles into the river to keep the begun introductions of the female Atlantic bottlenose KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA that she rejoins the manatee population there. chicks on their own for approximately the first 60 days, fish from eating his body. To celebrate, a dragon boat dolphin calf, Thai, to the rest of the pod. Everything is The Fakieh Aquarium has opened its doors to the but afterwards the chicks are leaving their rookery and race will take place in rivers across the country. Also, going well and the staff can’t wait to present her to park public on 23 January 2013. The aquarium includes 32 the keepers have to teach them backstage how to eat people will eat a triangular food, rice dumpling which is The Dolphin Experience Unexso – visitors in the show. exhibits with a collection of more than 8,000 marine dead fish independently. In the wild, the chicks would a representative dish in the festival. At Farglory Ocean Freeport, BAHAMAS species. It also includes a Dolphinarium with six Pacific join a crèche with other juveniles and start hunting Park, the staff will make a big gelatin dumpling for the It’s been a calm winter, affording The Dolphin MIDDLE EAST REGION bottle-nosed dolphins (Tursiops truncatus gilli) that have every moving and sparkling object. Unfortunately, the dolphins to commemorate this great poet in China. Experience staff the opportunity to train another pair of Tommy Wilken – zoOceanarium Group adapted very well along with the three South American Taronga Zoo joins forces with Woolworths to promote dolphins for open ocean programs called Ocean Swim dead prey fish in the zoo are not moving at all. Thus the Dubai, United Arab Emirates sea lions. The staff is looking forward to an amazing a sustainable seafood conservation campaign. keepers have to convince the young birds, in several AUSTRALIA REGION and Dolphin Dive. The staff is looking forward to spring year in 2013. and the season ahead. steps, that defrosted fish is an adequate prey. Dubai Dolphinarium – Dubai, Ryan Tate, Taronga Zoo – Sydney CANADA REGION UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Snow Penguins @ SKI DUBAI – Dubai, Brian Sheehan, – EUROPE NORTH EAST REGION Sea World – Gold Coast, AUSTRALIA Dolphin Explorer – Punta Cana, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Vancouver, British Columbia Sunna Edberg – Kolmarden, Sweden Sea World has welcomed the birth of an Atlantic Dolphin Explorer is happy to announce the birth of Snow Penguins @ SKI DUBAI is currently celebrating

bottlenose dolphin calf (Tursiops truncatus). The female their first dolphin calf, a male named Jupiter, on 27 its 1 year anniversary since the launch of the program. Vancouver Aquarium – Kolmarden – Kolmarden, SWEDEN calf was born 21 January in the park’s dolphin show October 2012. Jupiter and his mother, Lea, are both The penguins are all coming along wonderfully. The Vancouver, BRITISH COLUMBIA At Kolmarden, the female Baltic grey seal department to first time parents Sunnie and Kiama. This doing well. The Curator of Marine Mammals and training team has been working a great deal on Staff from the Vancouver Aquarium recently (Halichoerus grypus baltica), Liivi gave birth to her tenth birth represents a new generation within the park as Elasmobranchs, Miguel Marquez, left the facility in advancing the behavioral development program for attended a workshop hosted by the Pacific pup on 20 February 2013 . The male pup and mother are both parents were also born at Sea World. The baby January to take on other projects and the staff wishes daily management, guest interactions and behavioral Group, The Cascadia Research Collective and The Sea him every success in the future. doing fine. husbandry, and also recently revitalized the March of is suckling well and already shows signs of being Doc Society in order to help develop collaborative very independent. Photo Credit: Allwetterzoo Muenster the Penguins public presentation for 2013. research based relationships in regards to the harbor Since the penguins arrived in Dubai on New Year’s Babies are also thriving in the Antarctic penguin porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in the Salish Sea. By Black-footed penguins (Speniscus demersus) at display, with four Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) Eve 2011, the staff has discovered that penguins are giving researchers from the United States and Canada Allwetterzoo Muenster, Germany. keen learners and they can take direction well, which chicks now on display. Sea Lion Theatre has had a busy the opportunity to meet face-to-face, the result was a breeding season with shows, interactive programs helps the progression process. The penguins have great exchange of high quality information. The data The female Black-sea bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops and testosterone driven animals. Elvis, the parks exceeded expectations so far over the last year and the currently being collected was reviewed by researchers truncates ponticus), Ksyusha, gave birth to a male calf current breeding male Californian sea lion (Zalophus staff is excited to discover what they will learn in their in both countries which enabled researchers to identify in May 2012 at the Dubai Dolphinarium. Both mother californianus) has taken a month off from programs to Photo Credit: Dolphin Explorer second year. To watch a brief overview of the program, gaps in the research and places where additional data and calf are doing extremely well and are currently breed with two resident females. Jupiter with mother, Lea, at Dolphin Explorer. go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9onvwEylYT could most enhance the understanding of the harbor undergoing gate training into the show pool. The M&feature=youtu.be porpoise. The Vancouver Aquarium expressed the new pool extension is currently underway and should Snow Penguins @ SKI DUBAI would also like to take Dolphin Marine Magic (formerly Pet Porpoise Dolphin Quest Bermuda – Sandys, BERMUDA desire to involve its current harbor porpoise population be completed by mid-year. A new northern fur seal this opportunity to thank the IMATA & animal training Pool) – Coffs Harbour, AUSTRALIA At Dolphin Quest Bermuda, winter season means in present research or to allow for new research (Callorhinus ursinus) display in also in the works, with community for all their support and warm wishes over In the past few months Dolphin Marine Magic show season. With the decrease in temperatures and opportunities to help fill in the gaps of harbor porpoise three young pups joining the facility in May 2013. the last year. has seen the completion of Dolphin Lagoon, the new knowledge. tourism numbers in the winter months, DQB switches animal interaction area and is now close to completing For the past several months, the aquarium staff has gears to keep the public involved. Each month, the show Dolphin Bay, Atlantis the Palm – Dubai, the construction of the new seal exhibit, Seal Shores, PACIFIC ISLANDS REGION been aiding the Alaska Sea Life Centre (ASLC) with that is performed on Saturday has a different theme. In UNITED ARAB EMIRATES and four off exhibit holding enclosures. The staff has Stephanie Vlachos – Waimanalo, Hawaii the care of a rehab northern sea otter pup (Enhydra the holiday show presentation, the staff illustrate that the 2013 is set to be another exciting year for the also been busy with the rescue and rehabilitation of lutris kenyonaii). Vancouver would like to take this very things to love about the holidays are not too different dolphins and team at Dolphin Bay. The new Couples a variety of animals including the recent stranding Dolphin Quest Hawaii – Waikoloa, HAWAII opportunity to thank ASLC for their fantastic hospitality from how to provide exciting stimulation to the dolphins Retreat Interaction, as well as, the Behind-the-Scenes of a female pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) Dolphin Quest Hawaii announces that the new and all the great learning opportunities that have arisen throughout the year. These include elements of surprise Tour is set to begin within the first quarter of 2013. and her calf. Dolphin Marine Magic has commenced Atlantic bottlenose dolphin calves have names. Thanks as a result. through variable reinforcement, building relationships The staff is also hard at work improving the Marine training with several of the Australian sea lions to all that submitted ideas worldwide. The two boys, while spending time with loved ones, caring for the less Mammal Eduventure, which was a great success with (Neophoca cinerea) for a research project through Photo Credit: Sunna Edberg Malu which means peace and Nahele which means fortunate through conservation and stewardship efforts, schools from Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 2013, as well as, Macquaire University studying breath holding ability forest, are as close as their moms Pele and Kona. Keo’s as well as, celebrating together. The show themes are Baltic grey seal pup (Halichoerus grypus baltica) welcoming back the Dubai Autism Center’s students who and dive physiology. first born, Lehua, means beautiful flower and she is creative and exciting and help to draw the local community at Kolmarden, Sweden. have been visiting since 2008. Team members are hard to Dolphin Quest every week to see what’s new. as precious as her name describes. For this round of

20 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 21 calves, Dolphin Quest has decided to share each little Ho'a keeps growing at 4 years old, currently weighing in dolphin calf, has started eating fish, but prefers ice as Over the last couple of years, the training staff has While the exhibit is being updated, the harbor seals her stethoscope behavior, allowing the vet to listen step of their development through social media posted at 340 lbs (154 kg). The staff is also conducting social reinforcement. He is at the beginning stages of training been collaborating with Kristy L. Biolsi, PhD, Assistant are wintering in Florida. The staff at Gulfarium Marine to her heart with full contact. This behavior has led on a weekly basis called Dolphin Calf Chronicles. integration training sessions to prepare for the future and has learned to station and hand target. Ray, the Professor of Psychology at St. Francis College in Adventure Park is graciously hosting the 5.0 harbor seals to other behaviors such as abdomen palpation, eye These updates will focus on their fun, enjoyment and integration of Maka and Ho'a. juvenile sea lion, has been successfully introduced to Queens, New York, on a research project to investigate until they can return home. Some staff members from drop desensitization, and will also give the staff the relationship building with trainers. Please feel free to the female sea lions and seals, and the staff is working object recognition with their two California sea lions. Virginia Aquarium have become snowbirds, as well, to ability to conduct ultrasounds and voluntary X-rays. become a fan and look for the calf updates on Facebook U.S. MIDWEST REGION on introductions with the adult male sea lion. Pakak, the After years of training, the trainers were finally able take care of the seals. The rest of the staff anxiously Buck is doing well with his stethoscope behavior using and Twitter. Additionally, to view the birth of Keo’s calf, Stacey Lonski, Indianapolis Zoo – Indianapolis, IN walrus calf, is on exhibit with the adult female, Aurora. to conduct preliminary trials to see if the sea lions awaits their return so they can get ready for the tenth protective contact, allowing full view and access to his Lehua, check out the You-Tube sensation. They have bonded well and enjoy swimming, playing, could use pictures of objects to represent the objects season offering the Harbor Seal Splash Program. Thank entire ventral side for many other husbandry behaviors. – Brookfield, ILLINOIS and sleeping together. Pakak took readily to fish and themselves. The first trials showed that the sea lions you to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park for taking such At the Audubon Zoo, Katie, a 31-year-old sea lion Photo Credit: Dr. Marc Lammers Chicago ’s Brookfield Zoo had a now eats several pounds of it along with his formula successfully transferred their knowledge of the objects wonderful care of harbor seals and working side by side was trained for a voluntary injection for sedation, rear very exciting summer in 2012. In addition to the debut of each day. Being a good eater, he is already about 480 to the pictures of the objects. The trainers and Dr. Biolsi with the staff of the Virginia Aquarium. flipper blood draw and underwent a CT scan at the the summer games show, the staff also welcomed back lbs (218 kg). are very excited about the results and are eager to local Children’s Hospital. All three sea lions have begun Atlantic bottlenose dolphin Allie from the Minnesota continue their collaboration. U.S. NORTHWEST REGION voluntary restraint training with the squeeze cage. The Zoo. Allie had lived at CZS from 1995-2000 but then St. Louis Zoo – St. Louis, MISSOURI Cinthia Alia-Mitchell – Tualatin, Oregon Sea Lion Team has also joined forces with the Asian spent from 2000-2012 on breeding loans. The staff was The staff at Saint Louis Zoo’s Sea Lion Sound exhibit Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration – Domain Team bringing California sea lions and Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) together for some unique very excited to have her back and reunite her with dolphin completed a very busy and successful first summer. Mystic, CONNECTICUT Oregon Coast Aquarium – Newport, OREGON and exciting enrichment and training opportunities. Tapeko after so many years. Rita Stacey and Melissa Visitors enjoyed daily sea lion shows in the Lichtenstein The Pacific Northwest team at Mystic Aquarium & The pinniped exhibit renovations are under way The Sea Lion staff would like to thank the Fall/Winter Zabojnik have been working all year on the IMATA Sea Lion Arena where 2.3 California sea lions Institute for Exploration welcomes three harbor seal at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. The 1.2 California Interns: Mike Dray, Meg Marshall, Jonathan Hodge, research grant and are looking forward to presenting participated, offering daily interactions and showing pups to the collection. The trainers are working on sea lions and 0.6 Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina and Halle Bertovich for their hard work and dedication the results to IMATA in Las Vegas. Congratulations go to off their natural talent. At the Enterprise Family Rent- hand feeding and bridge training. The team is happy to richardsi) are adjusting to their various holding pools this past season. Jamie Kennedy on her promotion to Senior Keeper. The A-Car Sea Lion Landing, guests of all ages watched the welcome trainer Christine Metzger. behind the scenes. The exhibit is due to be down for a Dolphin wearing suction cup hydrophones on melon staff also wishes a fond farewell to seasonal keepers daily feeding and training sessions with 3.3 California Baranov, Mystic’s 16-year-old male Northern fur for biosonar study at Dolphin Quest . month-and-a-half with a highly anticipated re-opening Miranda Bovy and Jackie Ulrich. sea lions and 0.1 harbor seal, as well as, enjoyed an seal (Callorhinus ursinus), has returned from New for spring break. There will be a significant increase Dolphin Connection – Duck Key, FLORIDA incredible view as the animals swam over visitors’ heads England Aquarium. He is adjusting well. Jack and in viewing for the guests as well as interactions with Dolphin Connection was once again honored by a Dolphin Quest Oahu – Honolulu, HAWAII Como Zoo – St. Paul, Minnesota in the underwater tunnel. Now that the show season is Sam, also adult male Northern fur seals, have joined interpreters. visit from former President Jimmy Carter, former First Dolphin Quest Oahu (DQO) partnered with The Berlin, the Lake Superior Zoo polar bear (Ursus over, the staff is excited to introduce the show animals the collection from New York Aquarium and are Aialik, the 14-year-old northern sea otter (Enhydra Lady Rosalyn Carter, and their family, who celebrated Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology to investigate maritimus) that was transported to Como Zoo in June to the landing pool and the animals currently there. The acclimating well. lutris lutris) that underwent bladder marsupialization the Christmas and New Year holidays at the facility. how Atlantic bottlenose dolphins produce biosonar due to flooding, has been transported to Kansas City Zoo staff would also like to thank seasonal trainers Lisa The Arctic Coast team would like to welcome senior surgery 2 years ago continues to do well. His voluntary Dolphin Connection’s website continues to expand echolocation clicks. on breeding recommendations. Berlin was trained to Maracic and Diana Vogel for a wonderful summer and trainers Chris Harris and Courtney Collins. stoma manipulation and injections, and free contact with the addition of a new game designed to quiz To produce sound, dolphins push air through their voluntarily enter a crate for her move. wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors. The Penguin team would like to report that nesting continue to go smoothly. people on the knowledge of dolphins, dolphin training, nasal passages and past phonic lips, which triggers The 0.2 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from the Lake season began in early December. The team expects SSP Schuster, the newest member of the sea otter local wildlife and all things Florida Keys. Check it out surrounding tissue to vibrate and make sound. Although Superior Zoo have been incorporated into the training U. S. NORTHEAST REGION eggs to hatch at the end of January or early February. crew, is progressing extremely well in his husbandry at dolphinconnection.com/dolphin trivia and a big thank scientists had previously believed that one phonic lip program and have been introduced to the 1.1 harbor Beth Manning – Baltimore, Maryland The Stranding Program performed a successful training. He has been with the facility for just under 1 you to the design team, Lunar Cow. Dolphin Connection created clicks while a second phonic lip created whistles, seals. They have already learned some new behaviors amputation of the rear left flipper for a harbor seal pup year and went from a wild-naive animal to now offering welcomes new Assistant Trainer Alexa Miller to the team. Dr. Marc Lammers, one of the principle investigators, and continue to do well in their new environment. Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center – with abnormal bone density and infection. Today, she is cooperative behaviors such as full body contact, open discovered that belugas use both lips simultaneously Riverhead, Long Island, NEW YORK back to swimming in a full pool of water and continues mouth and paw presents. Dolphins Plus – Key Largo, FLORIDA when echolocating. Because echolocation production Indianapolis Zoo – Indianapolis, INDIANA The Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center was hit to progress in her rehabilitation. The mammal department would like to bid a fond Dolphins Plus and Dolphin Cove would like to and beam patterns can vary by species, Dr. Lammers Due to some changes within the Indianapolis Zoo, with a blizzard in February. Several staff members stayed The aquarium would like to thank the interns for farewell to the fall interns and welcome to Cierra Miller welcome the newest members of the animal care and wanted to know if Atlantic bottlenose dolphins also use the Marine Mammal Department now includes tigers overnight to care for the animals. The North American river their hard work last semester: Noel Vezzi, Rebecca and Kelly Morgan for the winter/spring term. training team, J.P. Rivera and Marcus Reamer. Also, both phonic lips as sound generators to produce clicks. (Panthera tigris altaica), muntjacs (Muntiacus reevesi) otters (Lontra canadensis) sure seemed to enjoy sliding Petit, Kelsey Wood, Christina Lemnotis, Melissa welcome to Joy Middleton as veterinary assistant to Dr. DQO trained their Atlantic bottlenose dolphins to sink and red pandas (Ailurus fulgens). Staff has been cross- around and tunneling through all of the snow. Wands, Kelley Fogarty, Kaleigh Pavlik, Andrea Wagner, Oregon Zoo – Portland, OREGON Robert Stevens. Both facilities would like to congratulate to a specific depth, remain stationary and echolocate training and the joining of areas is going well. Last The renovations and construction on the true seal Caitlin Del Sesto, and Rachel Winsten. The Oregon Zoo will begin two research projects Melissa Lopes, Kate Lawrence and Joy Middleton for on objects while wearing suction cup hydrophones on year, the zoo was blessed with the birth of an Atlantic exhibit were completed and the four harbor seals and one with the polar bears this spring. The first requires 0.1 receiving their Masters of Professional Science degrees their melon. Dr. Lammers is collaborating with Dr. Peter bottlenose dolphin calf and the arrival of both a stranded grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) were successfully moved New England Aquarium – Boston, polar bear, Tasul, to wear an accelerometer collar. in the Marine Biology and Fisheries/Marine Mammal Madsen of Aarhus University in Denmark. They plan to California sea lion and an orphaned Pacific walrus calf back to their habitat. The exhibit looks beautiful and both MASSACHUSETTS Training has already begun to desensitize her to Science track from University of Miami’s Rosenstiel publish a paper about sound production mechanisms in (Odobenus rosmarus). Orin, the Atlantic bottlenose the trainers and the animals are enjoying their new digs. The New England Aquarium is pleased to report that wearing things around her neck. The second research School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. odontocetes, which will include the data from DQO’s Flaherty, the 6-month-old Northern fur seal, is doing project is diet determination using stable isotopes. 1.1 Both training teams continue to work towards recording sessions. voluntary in-water restraint behaviors with the Photo Credit: Indianapolis Zoo well full-time on exhibit. He is weaned from his mom polar bears will be on experimental diets for 15 weeks, Ursula and is regularly participating in training sessions and will have regular blood and hair samples taken. pregnant females. The goal is to achieve early Sea Life Park, Hawaii – Waimanalo, HAWAII for the public. He spends much of his time wrestling or The 1.0 California sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis), voluntary restraint with newborn calves, allowing to The Hawaii Ocean Theatre at Sea Life Park, Hawaii hanging out with his best friend, Leu. Eddie has recently been trained for voluntary urine acquire blood samples. This milestone will improve is slated for renovations starting mid-March and should This winter has been a record-breaking year for the collection. Urine samples are being monitored for the facilities’ collective management of neonate health be completed within 8 weeks. The 2.0 Atlantic and 1.0 Rescue and Rehabilitation department, which admitted healthy kidney and bladder function. The Oregon Zoo and behavior. Pacific bottlenose dolphins will be moved to backstage 218 live turtles throughout the 3 month season. Of would like to share data with other facilities that are Additionally, Dolphin Cove’s staff is pleased to holding pools during the renovation. The 0.3 California those, 100 were loggerheads (Caretta caretta) which is collecting urine from sea otters. announce that Isaac, the 20-month-old male calf, has sea lions will be moved to Kalohe Kai with the 0.4 a huge increase from the normal season average of ten. The Oregon Zoo’s Marine Life department will be successfully added two vital husbandry behaviors to California sea lions that perform the theatrical sea lion The Giant Ocean Tank (GOT) renovation continues on hosting an IMATA Regional Workshop on 11 May 2013. his repertoire. Isaac successfully gave a voluntary blood shows and interactive programs. schedule to date; all of the breakdown and demolition Please contact [email protected] for more sample after approximately 8 weeks of training, allowing The park wishes a fond farewell to Alley Rose and has been completed and the rebuild is beginning. The information. for insight into DNA comparison, as well as hematology Samantha Fuentes and wishes them the best of luck in projected opening for the GOT is July 2013. The Marine Life department welcomes new dive and blood chemistry values. He is also now successful their future endeavors. The staff would also like to thank safety officer Gretchen Slack. at voluntary hydrations. Currently, Isaac continues to the winter interns for all their hard work and welcome Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center – expand his husbandry behavior repertoire and is learning the incoming spring interns. how to beach on a scale for weekly weights. Virginia Beach, VIRGINIA U.S. SOUTHEAST REGION

The winter of 2013 is update time for the Harbor Sarah Graff, Miami Seaquarium – Miami, Florida Waikiki Aquarium – Honolulu, HAWAII Seal Exhibit at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Dolphin Research Center – Grassy Key, FLORIDA The Waikiki Aquarium continues to train their Dolphin Research Center is proud to announce the Science Center. The exhibit was originally built in 1995 Audubon Aquarium of the Americas – two resident Hawaiian monk seals (Monanchus newest addition to the family. On 3 December 2012, and opened in 1996. Since that time, there have been New Orleans, LOUISIANA schaunislandi), Maka Onaona and Hō'ailona, for Santini delivered a healthy baby boy, named Reese some renovations including the platform added in 2003 At Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, 1.1 voluntary husbandry behaviors, including weight in honor of his grandmother, Theresa. Reese is the to carry out the Harbor Seal Splash program. Now it is California sea otters are progressing well with new training, blood draws, eye exams, oral exams, and third successful calf born at DRC through artificial Aurora and Pakak at the Indianapolis Zoo. time again to redo the floor, buff the acrylic, and spruce husbandry behaviors, allowing the veterinarian to get ultrasounds. Maka is very healthy at 28 years of age and insemination, thanks to the help of Holley Muraco. His up the area in general. a closer look at both animals. Emma has completed

22 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 23 anniversary throughout 2013. Additionally, the MDA team SeaWorld – Orlando, FLORIDA care, behavior, research training, acoustics, enrichment, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute’s Marine welcomes Sarah Bryce as Supervisor of Animal Training. 1.2 juvenile Short-finned Pilot Whales (Globicephala and training. Seven speakers from different universities Mammal Research and Conservation Program macrorhynchus) rescued from a mass stranding 4 and organizations participated as well as trainers and Fort Pierce, FLORIDA Memphis Zoo – Memphis, TENNESSEE months ago by Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute students from around the country. Members from HBOI-MMRC attended the Hong For the last month the sea lion staff has been and SeaWorld Orlando has been deemed non-releasable SeaWorld San Diego’s family of killer whales Kong IMATA conference. MMRC presentations introducing Teva, a California sea lion pup, to the main by the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS). (Orcinus orca) has a new member. Shouka, a 19-year-old garnered recognition as co-authors on the 1st place exhibit. She now spends most of her day on exhibit Estimated at less than a year of age at the time of female from Six Flags Vallejo, came to SeaWorld this Editor’s Choice Award, Farglory Park, Taiwan and 2nd along with Chloe and Callie, two of the adults. When their stranding, experts from NMFS suggested that the past August. Shouka has acclimated and adjusted really place for Research Advancements. The highlight of the Teva is off exhibit, she is offered a variety of fish, whales were dependent calves therefore unfit to survive well to the other eight whales and has quickly won the trip was meeting and sharing ideas with fellow marine from goldfish to pieces of herring and capelin, to help on their own in the open ocean. SeaWorld’s experience hearts of many trainers. mammal first responders. encourage weaning. with caring for rescued animals coupled with the fact On 17 December 2012 MMRC assisted Florida After months apart, the 1.1 polar bears are back that 0.1 rescued is thriving, contributed Fish and Wildlife by stabilizing an injured West Indian together for the breeding season. Reintroductions to SeaWorld Orlando being selected as a permanent manatee at Ft. Pierce Inlet State Park, Florida. The home for the three calves. While the goal is to return Photo Credit: Dolphin Research Center are going well. The staff is happy to say that the 1.3 adult manatee was transported by FWC to Miami for wolves (Canis Lupus) were hand injected with their every animal that is rescued and rehabilitated to its rehabilitation but unfortunately the animal succumbed vaccinations. natural habitat, SeaWorld accepts the responsibility of Santini with calf. to its injuries the following day. providing these animals with lifelong care. In January 2013 MMRC staff and a Florida Atlantic In early January 2013 the whales were transported dad is 18-year-old Brisby, who calls Six Flags Discovery one another along with and an estimated 40-year-old University Post-doctoral fellow continue ongoing Photo Credit: Memphis Zoo from a backstage quarantine area to the park’s Whale Kingdom home. bottlenose dolphin named, Panama. research entitled Acoustic Behavior and Analysis of Right DRC continues to work with the country’s military, Clearwater Marine Aquarium would also like to and Dolphin Theatre. SeaWorld’s animal trainers are Whale Social Vocalizations Used in Their Critical Florida continuing the foundation training the calves responded Photo Credit: Mike Aguilera hosting the Wounded Warrior’s Project Odyssey, welcome new staff member Sue Young, Senior Trainer, Habitat. The work has recorded, documented, spectrally to while quarantined, with an emphasis on husbandry Shouka, the newest addition to the family of killer once again, in October. A dozen men were given the and Hada Herring who is now Clearwater Marine analyzed, and statistically categorized more than 1000 opportunity to play with the dolphins enjoying swims, Aquarium's first ever full-time stranding coordinator. and moving between backstage pools. It is the hope whales (Orcinus orca) at SeaWorld San Diego. right whale calls. These calls types have been evaluated that these three young animals will contribute to the training and enrichment sessions. In January, Wounded with respect to group composition and behavioral context Warriors visited DRC with the Charles Evans Soldier Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park knowledge base and affect the guests for many years and sequential affinities. The calls have been segregated to come. Monterey Bay Aquarium – Monterey, CALIFORNIA Ride. Over 40 heroes were bicycling over the Keys and – Fort Walton Beach, FLORIDA into 8 different call types. The structure and stabilities of The Sea Otter Staff at the Monterey Bay Aquarium stopped to swim with the dolphins and enjoy lunch with During the off-season at Gulfarium, several facility these call types have further evaluated machine learning is sad to announce the loss of the sea otter Mae on 17 the staff. Flags were waving and a wonderful time was updates took place including work on the African THE SEAS®, Disney’s Animals, Science and the programs, characterization and regression tree analysis. Teva on exhibit at the Memphis Zoo. November 2012. As vital member of the sea otter family, had by all. penguin (Spheniscus demersus) habitat to expand living Environment – Orlando, FLORIDA Since 18 December 2012, five new mother calf pairs have surrogate mother for five SORAC pups, and a companion In September 2012, DRC hosted a Southeast space for a growing population and incorporate different In a new project in collaboration with Dr. David Mann been recorded in Florida waters. with many sea otters throughout the years, she will be Regional Workshop where 200 guests attended various ground textures. Gulfarium has also enjoyed being host and PhD student Danielle Greenhow from the University Miami Seaquarium – Miami, FLORIDA missed. Although she was reluctant at times to raise training sessions with dolphins and sea lions. There to 5.0 harbor seals from the Virginia Aquarium. of South Florida, members of The Seas Marine Mammal On 1 February 2013 Miami Seaquarium opened a pups; she was a rock star at training on exhibit, having a were enrichment sessions, and workshops on a variety In January, the Gulfarium was thrilled to host the and Research Teams are examining how dolphins one-of-a kind Seal Swim Program to paying participants. large and complex behavioral repertoire. of topics, including sea lion training, dolphin assists, inspection team for IMATA's Trainer Training program use their beam-steering capabilities during a free- Trainers welcomed the guests into the water to While the exhibit is still being remodeled, Abby and and a question and answer session about the new and Alliance facility accreditation and is now eagerly swimming task. One Atlantic bottlenose dolphin at The experience a unique deep and shallow water interaction. Rosa have been living behind-the-scenes. When Rosa is Marine Mammal College. DRC would like to thank all awaiting the results from the inspection. Gulfarium Seas, Calvin, is performing a matching-to-sample task The adventure begins by putting on masks and freely not in training and learning new behaviors, she can be who attended, making the workshop a huge success. Marine Adventure Park invites everyone to visit their using echolocation in which the sample object that swimming alongside harbor seals and California sea found serving as a companion animal for otters slated new website, www.gulfarium.com, featuring animal he inspects is placed in front of a grid containing 25 lions. Trainers then personally introduce the guests to for release. Abby, who had never been a surrogate Clearwater Marine Aquarium – Clearwater, FLORIDA flash cards, an interactive park map, online ticket sales hydrophones and two video cameras. As Calvin inspects the animals for a fun and memorable experience. mother, was recently placed with her first surrogate pup Clearwater Marine Aquarium has completed another and encounter reservations. This includes two brand the object, the hydrophones will record every click so The animal care and veterinary staff is proud to have and is doing very well. successful introduction. A bottlenose dolphin calf new programs to begin in the spring of 2013, Discover it can be determined exactly where the echolocation released Wooden, a West Indian manatee. Wooden named Hope, now two years old, was introduced to Otters and Sunset Camp. beam is pointing. Dolphins rely on their sense of was an orphan suffering from cold stress when he was The Mirage – Las Vegas, NEVADA Winter, a 7-year-old resident bottlenose dolphin without The Gulfarium extends a grand welcome to Assistant echolocation, or bio-sonar, to navigate and explore their rescued and brought to Miami Seaquarium. He was The Mirage Dolphin Habitat and the training team tail flukes. Despite the clear difference in their abilities Supervisor, Cat Rust. world. Echolocation clicks are made inside the dolphin’s at swimming, they have acclimated well. Normal released in Homosassa Springs, Florida on 4 February blowhole by clapping two structures together. The fatty are busy gearing up on preparations for hosting the displays of dolphin behavior have taken place between 2013. Also in November 2012 Deputy, a green sea tissue inside the melon focuses the clapping sound into IMATA Annual Conference in September. The staff is them and they regularly interact in a healthy way with turtle (Chelonia mydas), was released after a successful a narrow beam, much like shining light through the lens very excited to be hosting this event and cannot wait to rehabilitation. When she arrived at Miami Seaquarium of a flashlight. Until recently, it was widely believed that see everyone in Las Vegas! in June 2012 she was missing part of her shell and one the direction the echolocation beam pointed was fixed The Mirage Dolphin Habitat is also pleased to of her front flippers. so the dolphin could only steer the beam by moving its announce the creation of a new interactive program, The training department would also like to head. However, it was recently discovered that it is Painting with the Dolphins, where guests have the congratulate Amy Spaulding on her recent promotion to possible for a dolphin to affect the direction of the beam chance to interact and collaborate with one of five of Assistant Supervisor of Animal Training. even when holding its head still. the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins to create a unique work By comparing the direction of the beam to the of art. The training staff wished to create a new type direction that Calvin’s head is pointing, we will be of interactive program that differed from the current Photo Credit: Miami Seaquarium able to determine how Calvin uses his beam steering interactions offered, such as the Trainer for a Day Photo Credit: Marineland capabilities in a real-world task. This may help us program or the V.I.P. behind-the-scenes educational Dolphin Adventure better understand how dolphins use this active sense to tours. Painting with the Dolphins is a creative avenue Staff and guests of Marineland Dolphin Adventure investigate things they encounter in their environment. to mentally challenge and engage the animals, while celebrated the 60th birthday of Nellie on 27 February allowing the guests to get up close to learn about the 2013. Nellie is currently the oldest known dolphin at U.S. SOUTHWEST REGION dolphins and threats to their species in the wild. any zoo or aquarium in the world. Brittany Harris, SeaWorld – San Diego, California REGIONAL REPORTS is compiled by Martha Hill SeaWorld San Diego – San Diego, CALIFORNIA Marineland Dolphin Adventure – Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute and Dolphin Marineland, FLORIDA Quest sponsored an exciting conference from Animal In celebration of the many generations of families Guests strike a pose with Sandy during their Seal Concepts on marine mammal welfare, cognition who have visited the park in all of its many incarnations, Swim at Miami Seaquarium. and behavior. During the 3 days, topics ranged from Marine Studios, , and now anatomy, physiology, sound, communication, veterinary Photo Credit: Gulfarium Marineland Dolphin Adventure special activities, programs, and giveaways will highlight the park’s 75th New penguin exhibit at the Gulfarium.

24 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 25 Two Americans have pleaded not guilty to charges that they participated in a decade-long international smuggling operation that, according to federal officials, brought narwhal tusks into the United States. www.nytimes. com/2013/01/12/us/2-linked-to-smuggling-narwhal- tusks-plead-not-guilty.html?_r=1&

www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2215044/ At the 64th annual meeting of the International The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service held a meeting 13 British-zoos-failing-animal-welfare-says-new-Born- Whaling Commission (IWC) in Panama from 11 December to discuss U.S. negotiating positions on various Free-report.html#ixzz2ILdzJnsH June to 6 July, the IWC’s Scientific Committee proposed resolutions, decisions, and amendments that www.bornfree.org.uk/index.php?id=34&tx_ warned about the grave state of Mexico’s vaquita will be on the agenda of the Convention on International The Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1126&cHash=180ab48a porpoise and the Maui’s dolphin in New Zealand, Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and Aquariums is an international 31780090d9ff6b411aa2e77d recommending that the two countries ban all fishing (CITES) meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, 3–14 March 2013. association of marine life parks, Off the Shelf gillnets from the critically endangered animals’ Last month, the agency published a Federal Register notice aquariums, zoos, research facilities, 100 Heartbeats: The Race to Save Earth’s Most Endangered Species habitats to prevent entanglement deaths. seeking comments on its proposals, which focus on sharks and professional organizations by Jeff Corwin, reviewed by Erin Weber DNA evidence suggests that the mixing of the and many turtle species. The agency is also proposing dedicated to the highest standards Northern Cuban dolphins is much more variable www.boston.com/business/news/2012/07/06/ to uplist polar bears from Appendix II to Appendix I. To In the book 100 Heartbeats: The Race to Save Earth’s Most of care for marine mammals and and widespread than in other areas, and aligns with whaling-meeting-ends-with-mixed-results/ obtain information on other FWS proposals, go to the Endangered Species, renowned naturalist and conservationist, to their conservation in the wild Cuban government officials’ study observations that HGpuUnA7ibofJ6zt9OlNOK/story.html agency’s Web site dedicated to the meeting. www.fws. Jeff Corwin, examines some of the numerous issues facing through public education, scientific population numbers drop in certain months around gov/international//cop16/ • www.federalregister. threatened and endangered species in the world today. He does study, and wildlife presentations. The the island when many of the animals are believed to gov/articles/2012/11/28/2012-28897/conference-of- well integrating personal anecdotes about each of the species Alliance closely monitors legislative mix with dolphins to the North in Bahamian waters. The Board of India has advised the-parties-to-the-convention-on-international-trade- he discusses with population statistics and conservation facts. and regulatory activity around the Cuban officials made a presentation at recent IMATA all state governments against granting permission in-endangered-species-of-wild • www.fws.gov/ globe that may impact member Presented in a manner that is both informative and engaging, regional meeting in on population studies for dolphin marine parks, alleging that the animals international/cites/cop16/cop16-polar-bear-proposal- organizations like IMATA. The the reader is given an in-depth look into a variety of factors that are the basis for their collection of a limited are collected through cruel methods like “drive factsheet.pdf contributing to the population status of several different following briefs have been reprinted number of dolphins annually. Cuba’s National captures,” separated from their families, and with permission of, or furnished by the species. While reading this book, one literally joins Corwin on a world-wide tour to Aquarium Web site lists both the completed “subjected to a life of and cruelty.” visit critically endangered animals across our planet. Alliance for Soundings. population research undertaken from 2002 to Reportedly, there have been no dolphins on public After publishing a proposed rule on 2 June 2011 that The book starts by introducing the “Hundred Heartbeat Club”, which is a group 2010 as well a study that began last year and will display in India since the 1990s. However, proposals would revise critical habitat for the Hawaiian monk seal dedicated to any species that “literally has fewer than 100 hearts beating on our be completed in 2015—“Population and clinical to build facilities in a number of Indian states have under the Endangered Species Act, NMFS is extending the planet.” This is just the beginning of an array of extreme eye-opening facts that this parameters of dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the been discussed recently. http://india.blogs.nytimes. Bolivia has enacted a law to protect endangered deadline for the final revision to the rule for an additional book presents. Ranging from mountain gorillas and panthers to crested toads and coast north of the Archipelago Sabana-Camagüey.” com/2013/01/11/india-moves-to-block-dolphin- Amazon river dolphins. It bans fishing for the six months to further analyze data and consider concerns. honey-sucker birds, the reader learns about a wide variety of animals – some that www.acuarionacional.cu/ciencia-tecnologia/ shows-citing-cruelty/ freshwater dolphins and encourages programs to Comments on the proposal indicate disagreement on the many are well aware are struggling to survive, and some that one might have never projects.html protect them and their habitats, which have been “sufficiency and accuracy of the data and analyses.” www. even heard about, perhaps in part due to their dangerously small populations. federalregister.gov/articles/2012/06/25/2012-15441/ damaged by erosion, pollution, and woodcutting This book is a great read for someone interested in taking an in-depth look at the Taiwan has added new rules to its Wildlife endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants- in the river basins. www.huffingtonpost.com/huff- problems with which many animals are being forced to deal, while still being able wires/20120918/lt-bolivia-dolphins/ The German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Conservation Act to prohibit the import, proposed-rulemaking-to-revise-critical-habitat-for#p-3 and Consumer Protection’s revision of Germany’s export, and sale of marine mammals and their to enjoy an assortment of remarkable interactions with extremely unique animals. guidelines for the public display of mammals is products without special permits from the We get to look at a variety of issues risking the lives of these very animals. Some of these issues are caused by humans, while some are merely acts of nature; regardless, The Born Free Foundation and the University of nearing an end. Representatives from Dolfinarium governing agency. www.chinapost.com.tw/life/ Animals in Rhode Island can now have a human advocate Corwin gives ample background on many major topics (loss of habitat, hunting, global Bristol reviewed reports completed by government- Harderwijk in Holland and the Nürnberg Zoo environment/2013/01/09/366764/New-rules.htm in court when their welfare is at stake. The governor signed warming, lack of genetic diversity, invasive species, etc.), as well as possible solutions appointed zoo inspectors following inspections of participated on the marine mammal working group a law that allows a state veterinarian to act as an advocate for the future. We are able to read success stories, like the work done with locals in 192 licensed zoos in Britain and allege that only a and emphasized that any revised standards should for animals in abuse and neglect cases. The advocate quarter of the zoos met criteria regarding welfare, be based on objective indicators of animal health The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service would be responsible for making recommendations about Madagascar to raise awareness of the status of Bamboo lemurs and help promote conservation, and education. Since 1981, zoos in and welfare that can be applied in a uniform and recently issued final rules that will require U.S. what’s best for the animal. Representatives of the Society their well-being. These animals were previously threatened by habitat destruction due the UK have been licensed under the Zoo Licensing transparent manner. zoos and aquariums to add information to their for the Prevention of may also serve as to the logging industry, and with a little effort and dedication, conservationists were Act, which requires them to meet certain standards current contingency plans and increase reporting advocates. www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/ able to educate people, which led to laws increasing protected areas for the lemurs of care. The British & Irish Association of Zoos The International Air Transport Association’s Live on itineraries for animals taken off-site overnight articles/2012/06/15/ri_law_now_allows_for_animal_ to reside. Corwin also describes current conservation projects set in place, such as & Aquariums said it was difficult to use the zoo Animals and Perishables Board accepted changes for exhibition purposes. Links to fact sheets on advocates_in_court/ aversion conditioning to keep condors away from power lines when released, or licensing reports, on which the study was based, as to its Live Animal Regulations (LAR) recommened by the rules follow. www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_ using a “double-clutching” strategy for increasing birth rate and success in Mauritius an assessment of welfare in zoos as they contain the Alliance. The Allaince’s proposal for revisions welfare/content/printable_version/contingency_ kestrels, which all leave the reader with a vision of hope for many of these threatened limited information about a “complex subject.” to the LAR container requirements for marine rule_faq.pdf • www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_ species. The diversity of animals covered in this book allows readers to learn enough mammals were submitted at IATA’s request. welfare/content/printable_version/traveling_ information about these critical species, as well as build a heart-warming connection animal_faq.pdf to each and every story. I, for one, definitely recommend this book.

OFF THE SHELF is compiled by John Widick.

26 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 27 other behaviors that can simply be put off to work another day, but it is When training the gating behavior it is important that the bridge and QUESTION: often so critical to our operation in aquariums that this is not possible. reinforcement come as a result of the completion of the gate movement. We’ve recently run into a problem Finally, the most important solution is the proactive one. Increase Don’t associate the movement or sounds of the gate with reinforcement. with gating our animals. They are gating inconsistently, the number of gating sessions your team does dramatically. Do ten times There are a many reasons gating can become inconsistent. There by refusing or preventing other animals from gating, but the gating you were doing before if possible. The reasons are manifold. may be a lack of primary reinforcement or a variety of reinforcement. Most of the time when animals refuse to gate, or attempt to control the The social dynamics can also have an effect on gating, so trainers must are still reinforced if they choose to participate in a show outcome of a gating session, it is because the outcome has become pay close attention to reinforcing and maintaining healthy relationships or session. Is there a way to work through this issue so predictable and some outcomes are more reinforcing than others. Bear in among all animals. The animals that are having issues with one another mind that gating will always become predictable, with the same animals should be reinforced while sitting calmly together in different scenarios that both scenarios are rewarded appropriately? winding up in the same places at the same times of day, if we only gate (shows, sessions, and gating). The more dominant animal should receive them at when we have to, because we usually follow a set schedule of its reinforcement as a consequence of a correct response; allowing the shows or guest-interactions. subdominant animal to receive reinforcement. Please consider your balance of reinforcement. If you are a show If your facility engages in shows or interactions one technique that ANSWER 1 When training animals to gate, like many even just moving toward the gate. The most important point is to get a game facility, show pool is most likely where the animals receive the majority of may assist in increasing cooperation during gating is asking the behavior behaviors, it is very important to establish a good foundation. We view a plan in place for how you’re going to move forward in a positive manner their reinforcement. Ensure that your animals find other pools reinforcing, at least 15-30 minutes prior. If this is not feasible for your facility you may good foundation as (1) making sure all animals involved are comfortable by lessening criteria or changing other factors (when they are asked in the as well! Do more sessions in other pools, give play time in the back pools. want to wait until show/interaction time and if you see failure, continue and attentive to their trainer while any animal is asked to go into another session, changing animal groups etc.). It is also important to consider are Make leaving the show area just as reinforcing as staying and doing a with the original plan with the animals that are cooperating and end the area and (2) all animals are comfortable when a gate is being closed while social factors. For instance, are some animals reluctant to leave a group show! interaction with the animals that are choosing not to cooperate. the group is together. Then we can build on that in order to close gates or reluctant to join certain groups? By looking at your group composition, One of the ways we practice variable gating at Clearwater Marine Having a clear gating plan and being proactive about making these that may separate groups of animals. I think most trainers would agree and how each animal fits in with the rest of the group you may find some Aquarium is to hold all 3 of our female bottlenose dolphins in one pool, types of sessions a priority seem to always benefit us. If we see the same that if you are experiencing behavioral breakdown of a certain behavior, animals are more likely to gate with certain animals and you may increase and then send each of them one at a time to a station in the next pool. animal having the same gating problems, we may limit who interacts with go ahead and take a step backwards and re-work some basic aspects of your chance of success just by adjusting the group composition. Of course We close the gate every time, but then we quickly reopen it and send the animal for these sessions to maintain consistency. that behavior. as trainers we strive to remain flexible, when one approach is not working, the dolphin back. We might send them in pairs as well. Then at the end As you start to see improvement in the behavior, you can start to Because you are having inconsistent gating that is being reinforced try another approach. I know it sounds corny but teamwork is vital to the we might leave all the gates open and let them have free reign, but challenge the animals by asking for more complex gates and separations by participation in shows one of the first questions you might want to success of your organization, make sure everyone understands the agreed whatever we do we try to make it different every time as this not only during times that you know the animals are more likely to succeed. Having ask yourself is it absolutely necessary to gate animals during or before upon plan of action and what their role is in accomplishing your goals. sets them up for success, it makes it more interesting. If you adopt these a clear plan, consistency and balance in your reinforcement will help a show? Ideally you want to have sessions where you can take the two techniques: starting earlier and increasing the sessions in which maintain your success in gating. necessary time to make some smaller approximations, just working on Rita Stacey Vondra you practice variable gating scenarios, you may find that it solves your Some questions to ask yourself: How is your balance of reinforcement? animals staying at station while slowly desensitizing the animals to the Curator of Marine Mammals - Seven Seas problem before shows, and if it does, you may find yourself easing off Are you seeing a problem only during non-show or non-session time? Have gate moving slightly at first, then more and more until you can open or Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo the practice after a little time has gone by. You need to keep it up, quite you devoted time and reinforcement to gating sessions? Do you have a close a gate while the animals remain at station. You might also want to literally, forever! Never forget that maintaining behavior is harder than clear plan? Has your plan been communicated? Have the scenarios in practice having animals going in and out of other areas without closing ANSWER 2 After discussing this question with our training training it! Hope we were of help! which you’ve seen issues been clearly communicated to the entire staff? or opening gates to provide variability. It is helpful to avoid closing a gate team at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, we have come to some potential Are you using VRRV (Variable ratio reinforcement variety) to maintain every time an animal enters another area. When you do gate, you need to solutions. Reading your question it sounds like starting gating much Clearwater Marine Mammal Training Team the gating behavior? Do you provide opportunities to gate as a session vary when and how long the animals are gated for. Remember having an earlier would help. We’ve all been in a situation where we realize that Clearwater Marine Aquarium instead of a means to another type of session? Are you modifying your animal gate or shift reliably is one of the most important behaviors you an animal will find his or herself in a reinforcing situation despite the Clearwater, Florida plan if an animal is successful during a difficult gating scenario (Instead utilize to manage your animals, and this behavior needs to be reinforced fact that they were poor behaviorally. That’s the time when we usually ANSWER 3 of performing in a show/interaction, on a variable ratio they are able very well. start kicking ourselves because we should have set the animals up better Animal trainers face a multitude of challenges to return to a more desirable location and/or social structure? Are you If you need to gate animals prior to a particular session or show, it is in the first place. If you begin your gating 15, even 30 minutes ahead of when training and maintaining behavior. At times the focus may shift to the drawing more attention to the correct or incorrect behavior? Have you important to look at how each trainer is handling the incorrect response. time, you’ll find that you have the opportunity to walk away if one or more higher priority goals and behavior; however emphasis and reinforcement looked into what is maintaining the incorrect behavior? All trainers need to be consistent. Although we all understand that of your animals fail. This way you avoid reinforcing undesired behavior must be placed on the fundamentals of animal training. As trainers, we face many challenges, however by clearly sometimes “the show must go on,” it is important to develop a plan that while gating i.e. refusal to gate, displacement, rushing of the gate, and Remember gating is a behavior so the behavior needs to be reinforced communicating and providing a variable ratio of reinforcement variety, minimizes the reinforcement of gate refusal. If an animal refuses to gate, it gives you time to think about what you could do to solve the problem. appropriately. Set up your animals for success by starting with easy (less your animals will perform the basics of training in any situation. ask a second time and if the animal refuses again, do not keep asking the If you do find yourself forced to perform a show despite a failed gating difficult) gates to build the reinforcement history and trust. Provide clear same behavior. The animal is then practicing gating refusal; your session session, then do your best to minimize reinforcement for that animal criteria of the gating behavior. Do not draw too much attention on the gate SeaWorld San Diego Shamu Trainers is no longer positive and the animal is practicing poor behavior. It may be in the session to follow. Save their reinforcement for gating later. You or the movement of the gate. If you’re reacting, the animals will react. SeaWorld San Diego a good idea to ask a few (2 to 3) simple behaviors, that you can bridge but might even find that you have the chance to practice gating during show Behavior should be calm and maintain position in pool regardless of the do not reinforce, to put some time in between when the animal refused to while the other animals are still performing. Either way you would want activity of the gate. (continued on following page.) gate and when they started receiving primary reinforcement again. Then to dedicate as much of that days reinforcement as possible to correcting try and make a small approximation, maybe stationing next to the gate or the problems that arose during gating. It would be nice if gating were like

28 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 29 4. Walk a few meters apart. Check with each other that everything feels ok by saying “ok.” 5. If you need to get more attention from your animals, train one or two behaviors. Notices Announcements 6. Start moving and wherever you go, make sure you keep close & ASZK CONFERENCE WAZA ANNUAL CONFERENCE contact with the animals at all time. The animals should not The Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping Inc. will be holding its 2013 The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums annual conference will swim a small lap and then come back. A good thing is to make conference in Auckland, Australia. Visit www.aszk.org.au as updates be hosted by Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, on 13-17 short stops and reinforce. Just vary where and when from time become available. October 2013. Continue to visit www.waza.org for more information. to time. BIAZA ANNUAL CONFERENCE ICEE CONFERENCE 7. When you reached your destination and you are ready to close The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums will be The 11th International Conference on Environmental Enrichment ANSWER 4 The condition for successful gating is that you holding its annual conference 13-16 June 2013, at the National Marine dates and venue have changed. The conference will now be have the full attention from the animal/animals and that they will be the gate, say “ok” to the person who closes the gate. Aquarium in Plymouth, United Kingdom. Updates can be found at hosted by the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa 8. Remain focused on your animals and reinforce them for a while www.biaza.org.uk. from 15-18 October 2013 at the Kwalata Game Ranch. following you wherever you go. The separation of the animal group Visit www.enrichment.org for more changes and updates. after the gate is closed. You should never finish the session should be a natural routine just like any other training so make sure ZACC CONFERENCE directly after the gate has been closed. Zoos and Aquariums: Committing to Conservation will hold a ZAA ANNUAL CONFERENCE you act that way yourself. 9. If an animal swims away and won’t come back to its trainer, conference in Des Moines, Iowa 8-12 July 2013. The conference will The Zoological Association of America will hold its 9th annual The animals should want to be with you because you are fun and be hosted by the Blank Park Zoo. Visit www.zaccconference.com for conference 10-14 November 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. This event will close the gate anyway - reinforce the animals that are staying more information. be hosted by the Wildlife World Zoo and Aquarium and Bearizona. interesting. They know that they will get your full attention and be - open the gate again - reinforce your animals and then finish Continue to visit www.zaa.org. well reinforced. ABS ANNUAL CONFERENCE the session. The 50th annual conference for the Animal Behavior Society will be SMM BIENNIAL CONFERENCE The most important thing is the full attention from and eye contact 10. Gating is a training session like any other. If you have failed held in Boulder, Colorado, during the dates of 28 July to 1 August 2013. The Society for Marine Mammalogy will be holding the 2013 biennial with the animal at all times. Therefore, if you have to move around the Continue to visit http://animalbehaviorsociety.org for information. conference in Dunedin, New Zealand 9-13 December 2013. The in a gating session with one animal, it does not mean that conference is being hosted by the University of Otago. Please visit enclosures, it’s possible, just take no shortcuts and never run. that animal cannot participate in the next training session. AZA ANNUAL CONFERENCE www.marinemammalscience.org for more information. Question: What should you focus on? The American Zoological Association annual conference is being Sometimes we start a new training session after ten minutes. held 7-12 September 2013 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be Answer: Attention from the animal and eye contact. PHOTOS NEEDED Time to open the gate: hosted by the Kansas City Zoo. Please visit ww.aza.org for updates. All IMATA members are invited to submit photographs and/or slides for That means that you should not think about: 1. Plan where and how you will finish the session. use in Soundings magazine. Good quality digital images are encouraged, FIELD COURSE WITH THE DOLPHIN COMMUNICATION • That the gate will close/open 2. Gather the animals at the same time and just like before, with 300 dpi is preferred, width of 12.7cm (5 inches), minimum 6.35 cm (2.5 PROJECT inches) wide, no stipulation on height. Please identify the photographer • That the gate will close a lot of focus. A special course is being made available for marine mammal trainers for credit and mail your photos to “IMATA Photo Archivist” as well as who are interested in field work with the Dolphin Communication “Soundings Chief Editor” at the IMATA Central Office, [email protected]. • That another animal is swimming away from its trainer 3. When you have total focus from the animals, say “ok” to the Project in the Bahamas. This week long course is scheduled for 15- • What the other trainer is doing person at the gate. 22 September 2013. Please contact Kathleen Dudzinksi at Kathleen@ IMATA LIBRARY 4. Reinforce the animals a lot because they have focus on you dcpmail.org or Kelly Melillo Sweeting at [email protected], or visit Are you looking for an article from a past conference or an old issue • That other people are moving around the enclosure www.dolphincommunicationproject.org for more information. during the time the gate opens and for a while after. of Soundings? IMATA’s library is available online to Associate, Active, Don’t let go of eye contact if you need to talk to another trainer. If and Professional members! Go to imata.org and click Publications. Our one of the animals swims away, give your attention to the ones that 5. Start moving as you did before, stop and reinforce if you need. AZAD REGIOINAL CONFERENCE searchable index is also found there. 6. When you are all in the same enclosure again, train a few The Association of Zoo and Aquarium Docents is holding a are doing it right. Don’t take any notice of the animal that swam away regional conference at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, CHANGING ADDRESSES, JOB TITLES, and just stick to the plan, even if you planned to close the gate. Do behaviors together to prevent aggression once the session Washington. The tentative dates of 19-22 September 2013 have OR EMAIL? been announced but are subject to change. Continue to check Keep your information current on IMATA’s website. You have the not wait for the animal that swam away but when it comes back, you ends. http://azadocents.org for updates. 7. When the session ends, stay awhile and study the animals. ability to update your information. It’s as easy as 1, 2, and 3. will give it attention. Do not reinforce the animal for coming back, 1. Log onto the member’s section of the IMATA website with your 8. Do not train the animals at the same time you do the separation. AAZK NATIONAL CONFERENCE username and password. reinforce that it is staying with you. The American Association of Zoo Keepers conference will take place The animals, focus should be on you, but you also want them to 2. Click on edit profile and update your Exception: Never close the gate if one individual is left alone in Greensboro, North Carolina, 22-26 September 2013. Continue to visit current information. beware of what is going on. http://aazk.org for information. in enclosures. 3. After updating your information, click on submit at the bottom of If a problem emerges: the page and recheck the information you just entered. • If one animal shows aggression towards another one, you have EAZA ANNUAL CONFERENCE That’s all you have to do. Your changes are immediately entered into Have a discussion about it and decide a strategy and try it a few The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria will hold the 2013 failed. (because it is more interested in another animal). Think the website. If you have any problems, click on feedback, and write times. If the problem remains, have a new discussion and decide a conference in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, on 24-28 September 2013. your questions in the comment section. over the situation and do it better next time. You have to be 100 Updates can be found at www.eaza.net. new strategy. Don’t change strategy too often. We have to give the percent focused towards the animals to be able to get their WEBSITE animals some time to understand and accept, and that might take CAZA ANNUAL CONFERENCE Visit us online at www.imata.org. attention back. See the animals as our mirror. The Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums will hold its some time. To document and discuss gating is very important because annual conference during the dates of 25-28 September 2013. • If you are not sure about the reason why an animal swims away NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS is compiled there are no “already made” solutions. You should see gating as a This event will take place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and from you- reinforce no one. be hosted by the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo. Visit by Haley Merritt. “living” challenge and it might change from day to day. There will • If you are not sure what animal caused another one to swim www.caza.ca for updates. always be special circumstances like when females are in heat, away- reinforce no one. AAZV ANNUAL CONFERENCE changes in the social structure of the group and special gating plans • If animal 1 shows aggression towards animal 2- reinforce all The American Association of Zoo Veterinarians annual conference regarding mother with calf. Sometimes we might have to add trainers will take place 28 September – 4 October 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah. animals except animal 1. Animal 1 gets reinforced when it Updates can be found at www.aazv.org. participating in a gating session. allows animal 2 to come back. (After reinforcing animal 2) AZFA 2013 CONFERENCE Gating session: The Aquarium and Zoo Facilities Association conference will take Jenny Eastham 1. Plan the gating session well. What animals are to be parted? place 6-9 October 2013. This event will be hosted by the El Paso Zoo in El Paso, Texas. Visit www.azfa.org for updates. What trainer takes what animals? Who closes the gate? Is the Dolphinarium, Sweden gate to be closed? How long is the gate to be closed for? Where Nordenberg, Kolmarden do we start? How do we finish the session and where? Read the journal about the last gating session. Follow the steps. TRAINER'S FORUM is complied by Sarah Sayre 2. Go to the starting point. One trainer is gathering the animals. 3. Go and “get” your animals from the trainer who is staying.

30 Volume 38, Number 2 SOUNDINGS 2013 SOUNDINGS 2013 Volume 38, Number 2 31 Soundings FAQ Q: Will the enhanced Soundings be available for translation?

A: Upgrades will further ease translating Soundings content into languages Q: When will Soundings be completely digital-only? other than English. Digital magazine technology has developed significantly over

the past several years and will continue to bring increased value to IMATA’s global A: Starting with the first quarterly issue of 2014,Soundings will be announced membership, via email and delivered to all IMATA members exclusively through our website at www.imata.org. Q: Why didn’t IMATA just keep the old magazine?

Q: What has been the membership’s response to the upcoming enhancements? A: The simple fact is that over the past four years, the costs associated with

the manufacture and mailing of Soundings have risen dramatically. Continuing A: Our members have told us that they search out online publications, news portals, to produce a printed magazine would have certainly led to an increase in annual and web sites because they bring forth current information faster than most print membership dues. By having Soundings delivered electronically, IMATA has been publications. In fact, in 2012, more than half of Soundings readers opted out of able to keep the cost of annual membership dues low, while enhancing the value receiving the hard-copy edition and transitioned to the electronic product. and benefits that members have come to expect. Q: How often will Soundings be produced? Q: How long will I continue receiving the hard-copy magazine?

A: Soundings will continue to be produced quarterly. As a digital product, Soundings A: Those with memberships that were activated before 3 February 2013 may receive will be able to deliver information sooner than it did as a print publication; long lead hard-copy delivery of Soundings until their individual expiration dates approach and times will be a thing of the past. Printed versions require a long lead time as well as their membership is renewed. a long delivery time, up to eight weeks for members living outside the USA. Q: If I am entitled to a hard-copy magazine, can I opt-out of the mailing and chose Q: What will be biggest difference between the old and new Soundings formats? to “go green?”

A: The enhanced Soundings will surpass the print version in presentation, A: Yes. Members can login to www.imata.org and edit their member profile to editorial quality, and photography. For the first time, IMATA will be able to harness support the paperless Soundings option. the power of streaming videos that will be embedded with columns, articles, and Regional Reports. Q: What if my membership was activated after 3 February 2013?

A: Those IMATA members who joined the organization or renewed their membership on or after 4 February 2013 have already transitioned to the new electronic-only format and will receive the premier issue of the enhanced digital Soundings with 2013's second quarter edition.