Barkin' at the Shedd: Animal Care & Training Techniques

Shedd Aquarium has long been a leader in the zoological world, particularly in animal care and training, but in recent years that expertise has extended beyond creatures that typically live in an aquarium. The biggest breakthrough has come in animal cognition and hinges on the use of entirely positive reinforcement techniques. What does this mean? Techniques developed with marine mammals like dolphins and whales have found new application with dogs in search and rescue, guide, and scent-detection training. Ultimately scientists hope to go much further in unlocking animals’ amazing potential. Ken Ramirez, head of the Shedd’s animal care and training programs, is on the vanguard of these exciting developments. He discusses how training improves animals’ quality of life in zoos and aquariums, helps protect them in the wild, and expands our understanding of their—and, consequently, our own—capacity to learn.

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