Animal Behavior Conversations: The Podcast of The ABMA

This episode Jose Bello, Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment, discusses superstitious behavior. Jose starts with breaking down what it means for a behavior to be superstitious and examples of what that looks like in a practical application.  Next, Jose educates about the “potential danger” in labeling behaviors as superstitious and how taking the blame away from the animal and placing it on us as the trainers, can give us a better understanding of what is accidentally reinforcing or punishing a superstitious behavior. The episode ends with a discussion and a reminder that all behavior has function and how that mindset can help trainers and teams have a cohesive understanding of superstitious behaviors.  Stay tuned in for Jose’s o-fish-ally great "Training Tale" about a guest’s reaction to water kenneling fish.  For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to contact Jose email J[email protected] Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 

7:00 Introduction to Jose Bello 

10:05 Definition and practical application of superstitious behavior 

14:55 What does it look like if something is accidentally reinforced? 

16:15 How to identify a superstitious behavior? 

19:10 What is the potential “danger” in labeling a behavior as superstitious? 

21:25 If there is a “potential danger”, should we still call behaviors superstitious? 

23:50 How can having extra communication about superstitious behaviors arising from accidental reinforcement help with any labels that may come with the term? 

25:50 Advice for recognizing that a behavior has been accidentally reinforced and isn’t just “something the animal always does” 

28:05 Recognizing what is actually the reinforcer(s) or punisher(s) for a superstitious behavior?  

29:30 All behavior has function

33:45 “Training Tales”

In a special ABMA Behavior Month 2024 episode, Jonelle Mason, California National Primate Research Center - UC Davis, discusses training and behavior in a research setting. Jonelle educates about the similarities and differences between training, cooperative care, and enrichment programs in a zoo compared to a research setting. Additionally, Jonelle talks about some of the unique challenges that arise and the future of behavior management within a research setting. Stay tuned in for Jonelle's "Training Tale" about training her pet corn snake to help with a regurgitation issue. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to contact Jonelle email [email protected] Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

4:35 Intro to Jonelle Mason 

7:35 Comparison of behavior and training in a research vs zoo setting

16:45 Comparison of husbandry and cooperative care training 

20:25 Considerations for research related training

29:10 Creating positive human-animal relationships 

30:50 Enrichment programs in a research setting 

33:30 Lessons from a research setting 

35:10 The future of behavior management in a research setting 

39:00 “Training Tale”

This episode Sam Meinke, Palm Beach Zoo, and podcast host, Shane Gorbett, discusses what it means to be a modern zookeeper. The definition of what a zookeeper is and does has drastically changed and is constantly evolving as we continue to progress animal care forward. Some other modern zookeepers were kind enough to share what being a modern zookeeper means to them so Sam and Shane dissect those answers as we redefine what it means to be a zookeeper. The discussion wraps up with the importance of redefining what a modern zookeeper is and does both for the knowledge of the public but also for those currently in the field or hoping to start their careers. Stay tuned in for Sam's "Training Tales" which involves a ground hornbill and a "long cheetah turd". For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach Sam you can message him on Facebook or Instagram. Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

3:20 Introduction to Sam Meinke 

4:40 Definition of a Zookeeper and redefining into a Modern Zookeeper

13:40 Using the past as a baseline to grow from and do better 

20:20 A Modern Zookeeper…. Adapts to new information 

22:50 Progressive, Use the artful application of scientific principles 

23:45 Knows the individual animals 

25:20 Creative, thinks outside the box for enriching the lives of animals 

28:20 Responsible for providing each individual animal the best life possible 

30:22 Creates a bond with the animals, knows each of their personalities 

32:00 Eager to share their special connection with everyone 

32:50 Strives to create positive connections in all interactions, changing the mindset from making to asking 

36:46 Does research, looks to natural history of animals 

38:15 Selfless, puts the animals’ needs above their own, open to feedback 

39:20 Prioritizes behavioral management as a necessity

41:30 Focuses on animal wellbeing 

43:10 Importance of redefining the modern zookeeper

45:40 Advice on changing the mindset of a team into striving to be modern zookeeprs 

49:00 “Training Tales”

This episode Rick Hester, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and BehaviorWorks, discusses a free operant approach to behavior management. Rick starts with explaining the practical application of free operant behavior and, in order to get the full scope, also discusses discrete trial training and the relationship between the two. Breaking down some of the science, Rick educates about Lindsley's (1996) Four Free Operant Freedoms and the considerations for providing and maintaining a free operant environment (depletion, satiation, and dosage of resources). Rick finishes the episode with giving advice on how to start curating free operant environments by celebrating each approximation. Stay tuned in for a "dam" great "Training Tale" about creating a free operant environment for beavers using the sound of running water. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to contact Rick email [email protected] Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

6:40 Definition and application of “Free Operant” 

10:05 Definition and application of Discrete Trial Training (DTT)

14:10 Connecting the dots between environmental enrichment and free operant principles 

16:55 The Freedom to Present Stimuli 

17:20 The Freedom to Repeat Responses Many Times to Each Signal 

17:50 The Freedom to Form Responses 

18:20 The Freedom to Slow or Speed Responses 

19:15 Considerations for providing and maintaining a free operant environment

20:40 Resource Depletion 

23:20 Satiation of Resources 

24:50 Dosage of Resources 

28:00 Advice for Getting Team Buy-In; Using Approximations 

35:35 The balance between free operant and discrete trial training 

39:50 “Training Tales” 

This episode continues on "The Behaviors of..." series which dives into the human side of the animal care field. In this episode Scott Trauger, Natural Encounters, Inc., dives deeper into a discussion centered around his presentation at the 2024 ABMA Annual Conference titled "Expanding Our Feedback Loop: Evolving the Way that We Give Feedback to Our Peers". Scott discusses the different types of feedback and considerations to think about in order to effectively give specific and honest, but also kind, feedback. Scott also discusses the thought of also giving choice and... control to people while providing feedback. Stay tuned in for a "Training Tale" about how Scott used his tree climbing skills and relationship to rescue a pied crow. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach Scott contact him on the ABMA Community or email [email protected] If you are an ABMA member you can watch Scott's presentation on animalprofessional.com Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

This episode we are joined by Tegan Noel, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, to discuss some practical applications and examples of providing choice and... control. This episode is a continuation of Episode 50 where Ken Ramirez broke down the science of choice and... control. The episode starts with Tegan commenting how the focus of those two topics have changed and shaped behavior in recent years. Additionally, she educates about what it means to remove "forced" choice and providing control through the use of encouraging animals to say now. Tegan gives thoughtful examples of providing choice and... control and why it is not only important for animal care professionals to have an understanding but also the public.   Stay tuned in for Tegan's interesting "Training Tale" about a pygmy falcon who decided to create an awkward ending to a show. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach Tegan you can email [email protected]  Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

2:45 Introduction to Teagan Noel 

5:40 How has the focus on choice and control evolved and changed the way we care for animals? 

11:30 Giving animals control and encouraging animals to “say no” while still receiving active participation 

16:00 Practical examples of providing choice and control: Squirrel Monkeys 

28:35 Practical example: Control over putting on a harness (coati, wombat) 

31:10 Giving more control and removing “forced” choice 

40:35 Importance of providing choice and control from the view of the pubic 

49:40 Advice for starting the process of providing more control 

54:35 “Training Tales”

This episode we are joined once again by Chris Jenkins of Natural Encounters, Inc. in order to dive deeper into Antecedents, specially looking at Distant Antecedents and navigating the role they play in behavior.  This episode is a continuation of Episode 6 where Chris broke down the fundamentals of Antecedents. The episode starts with defining the difference between immediate and distant antecedents and then shifts to the slippery slope that is labeling behavior using distant antecedents as the reason. Chris educates about how behavior is influenced by a myriad of environmental conditions and gives advice on how to take away the subjectivity of a distant antecedent and instead listen to what the animal and their behavior is telling us.   Stay tuned in for Chris's interesting "Training Tale" about a double mouth open with a tapir! Additionally check out "The TEC Talk Podcast: Presented by Natural Encounters, Inc.", a like-minded podcast hosted by Chris and Ari Bailey! For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach Chris you can find his contact information on the Natural Encounters, Inc. website.  Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

3:10 Introduction to Chris Jenkins 

7:10 Immediate vs Distant Antecedents 

13:20 Antecedents affecting motivation and how our view of them can affect behavior 

15:50 Not letting our “arrogance” create roadblocks or excuses for behavior 

21:30 Using antecedents to inform decisions while not labeling 

26:25 Past consequences become future antecedents 

33:00 Using behavioral observations vs our subjective thoughts 

37:15 Recognizing that behavior is influenced by more than one condition 

41:10 Advice for encouraging others to not place “blame” on distant antecedents 

48:55 Critical role us as the human trainers play in behavior 

51:50 “Training Tales”

This episode continues on "The Behaviors of..." series which dives into the human side of the animal care field. In this episode Justin Garner, Committee Chair for The ABMA, helps to give advice on how to successfully implement change. The discussion begins with ideas and advice on communicating ideas to others and how to then put those ideas into action. Justin and Shane also talk through ideas to overcome some of the common "roadblocks" to successfully implementing change including not enough time, we've always done it this way, and a lack of resources. Stay tuned in for a "Training Tale" about a ground hornbill's love for popcorn and how that almost prevented a new idea from coming to fruition. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach Justin contact him on the ABMA Community or email [email protected]  Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!

This episode Sandy Jabas, The First VP of The ABMA, discusses what it means for a behavior to be under stimulus control. Sandy educates about how to tell if a behavior is under stimulus control and also the importance of stimulus control in our training. Sandy also teases the 2025 ABMA Annual Conference in Galveston, Texas hosted by Moody Gardens! Stay tuned in for three "Training Tales" about a funny mishap when shifting dolphins, a dolphin tail fluke splash gone wrong, and interesting research about dolphin dive reflex. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email [email protected] and to reach Sandy you can email [email protected]. Let's talk some training and banter about behavior!