Brief History of Marineland

See notes below

Why Train?

WHY TRAIN? HISTORY OF ANIMALS UNDER HUMAN CARE Menageries:Menageries: –Originated 1000’s of years ago –Collections of animals held by rulers and kings Domesticates:Domesticates: –Animals bred for food and/or work –Particular animals chosen for selected traits Food animals, work animals, performersFood animals, work animals, performers

WHY TRAIN? DEFINITION OF ANIMAL TRAINING Training = TeachingTraining = Teaching Teach the animals so they fully understand their environment and what is being askedTeach the animals so they fully understand their environment and what is being asked Apply training principles to provide a dynamic social and learning environment, ultimately resulting in healthier animalsApply training principles to provide a dynamic social and learning environment, ultimately resulting in healthier animals

WHY TRAIN? 6 GREAT REASONS 1.Husbandry 2.Medical or Veterinary Behaviors 3.Mental and Physical Health 4.Research 5.Show Training/Exhibition/Education 6.Human/Animal Partnerships

WHY TRAIN? HUSBANDRY The long-term physiological and psychological management of a species under human careThe long-term physiological and psychological management of a species under human care –Moving animals –Feeding animals –Clean facility –Preventative care

WHY TRAIN? MEDICAL / VETERINARY BEHAVIORS Allows for the voluntary collection of a wide variety of biological samplesAllows for the voluntary collection of a wide variety of biological samples –Establish a baseline Each animal is an individual and differences in each animal’s lab results may be observedEach animal is an individual and differences in each animal’s lab results may be observed This information allows the diagnosis and treatment of specific ailments, which can ultimately increase longevityThis information allows the diagnosis and treatment of specific ailments, which can ultimately increase longevity

WHY TRAIN? Medical / Veterinary Behaviors Blood sampling

WHY TRAIN? Medical / Veterinary Behaviors Voluntary hydration

WHY TRAIN? Medical / Veterinary Behaviors Ultrasound

WHY TRAIN? Medical / Veterinary Behaviors Urine collection

WHY TRAIN? Medical / Veterinary Behaviors Beaching

WHY TRAIN? Three Alternatives to Training Medical Behaviors 1.Active Restraint: physically catching and holding an animal as it resists 2.Passive Restraint: physically holding an animal in one position without it resisting 3.Anesthesia: complete or partial loss of physical sensation caused by administered medication, putting the animal under a false-death

WHY TRAIN? Mental and Physical Health Inactivity can stem from sterile, static, or predictable environmentsInactivity can stem from sterile, static, or predictable environments Stereotypical behaviors can occur due to lack of stimulationStereotypical behaviors can occur due to lack of stimulation Each of these scenarios can lead to deterioration in health, and training can result in improved mental and physical health.Each of these scenarios can lead to deterioration in health, and training can result in improved mental and physical health.

WHY TRAIN? Mental Health Problem solving is offered through trainingProblem solving is offered through training Relationship is provided by caregiversRelationship is provided by caregivers Games are offered through trainingGames are offered through training

WHY TRAIN? Physical Health ExerciseExercise Environmental EnrichmentEnvironmental Enrichment Breeding and SocializationBreeding and Socialization

WHY TRAIN? Research Research is important because it can provide more information about the animal to improve our care for that animal.Research is important because it can provide more information about the animal to improve our care for that animal. Training allows an animal to cooperate with an experiment; forcing an animal to participate can give inaccurate data as it can increase the heart rate, oxygen consumption, and adrenaline/hormones.Training allows an animal to cooperate with an experiment; forcing an animal to participate can give inaccurate data as it can increase the heart rate, oxygen consumption, and adrenaline/hormones.

WHY TRAIN? Research at The Dolphin Conservation Center Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) –A non discriminatory method to measure hearing abilities –Established hearing thresholds on DCC dolphins, ranging in age from 3.5 years to 52 years old –Allows for comparison to both wild dolphins as well as select populations in human care

WHY TRAIN? ABR Research Results Overall, DCC’s dolphins displayed above average hearing capabilities compared to other dolphins in the Navy marine mammal program’s collection; and comparable to wild populations in Sarasota, FLOverall, DCC’s dolphins displayed above average hearing capabilities compared to other dolphins in the Navy marine mammal program’s collection; and comparable to wild populations in Sarasota, FL

WHY TRAIN? Show Training / Exhibition / Education Benefits to this type of training include:Benefits to this type of training include: –Public Education: Educating leads to conservation efforts –Reaching out to the misinformed (activists) –Increases revenue for animal care, research, and conservation programs

WHY TRAIN? Human / Animal Partnerships Many of these relationships exist in a wide variety of scenariosMany of these relationships exist in a wide variety of scenarios –Sporting events –Search & rescue dogs –Guide dogs for the blind –Navy marine mammals Mine detection,Mine detection, equipment retrieval, patrol equipment retrieval, patrol

WHY TRAIN? Summary Through effective animal training practices, humans can take excellent care of the animals in their care.Through effective animal training practices, humans can take excellent care of the animals in their care. Training does the followingTraining does the following –Reduces tension and stress of the animal –Reduces injuries to humans and animals –Reduces the risk to facility –Increases physical and mental productivity for the animal –Increases longevity of species under human care