imata proceedings 2015 / bahamas

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PRESIDENTEric GaglioneGeorgia Aquarium

FIRST VICE PRESIDENTMichele SousaAquarium of the Pacific

TREASURERRobert RoozendallSix Flags Discovery Kingdom

PRESIDENT-ELECTBill WoldenDolphin Quest

SECOND VICE PRESIDENTKelly Flaherty ClarkSeaWorld Orlando

SECRETARYJennifer LeachSeaWorld San Diego

PAST-PRESIDENTShelley WoodABC Animal Training &Dolphin Discovery

THIRD VICE PRESIDENTTeri CorbettAtlantis

DIRECTOR-AT-LARGEPatty SchillingNew England Aquarium

CHIEF EDITORDr. Laura Yeates

MANAGING EDITORPatrick BerryGulfarium

EDITORIAL DIRECTORLinda ErbDolphin Research Center

2015 Board of DirectorsPRESIDENTLinda ErbDolphin Research Center

TREASURERRita StaceyBrookfield Zoo

SECRETARYAlex MataDolphin Discovery

PRESIDENT-ELECTMichele SousaAquarium of the Pacific

SECOND VICE PRESIDENTSuzanne SmithGulf World Marine Park

DIRECTOR-AT-LARGERobert RoozendaalMirage Dolphin Habitat

PAST-PRESIDENTBill WoldenDolphin Quest

THIRD VICE PRESIDENTJennifer PletcherSeaWorld San Diego

Welcome to the 43rd Annual International Marine Animal Trainers Associations Conference here on Paradise Island, Bahamas! Being here in the Bahamas has a special meaning for me personally because in the early 1900’s my mother’s

side of the family– the Currys and the Kemps - came to Key West from Rock Sound in Eleuthera. It’s nice to be home and to be here with all of you who make IMATA the strong voice and advocates for marine mammal care and training.

We are very fortunate to be here in the beautiful Bahamas for our conference, and on behalf of all of IMATA I would like to thank our hosts here at Atlantis Dolphin Cay, our amazing VP team, the Dolphin Encounters team, and the islands of the Bahamas! There’s no doubt this conference and our IMATA member’s enthusiasm will ensure that IMATA is better in the Bahamas!

I also want to thank you for the incredible opportunity you’ve given me this year to serve as your President. I know we will be reflecting on the many happenings in our community since last year’s conference. I thank you for the trust and faith you put in me and in your board to hold the reins and direct IMATA this past year. We are a family that means the world to me. I did my very best to honor each of you and what you stand for as an IMATA member.

I extend a special welcome to those members attending their first IMATA conference. This year for the first time we have representatives from the social media realm. Eric Davis and Erin McKinney are here representing the website Awesome Ocean. Awesome Ocean is supportive of IMATA’s mission and will spend the week seeing, in person, how we share information with each other. They will be strategically placed as they cover some of our conference events. We are excited to have them with us, and encourage members to welcome them and make time get to know them.

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

4 Proceedings 2015

IMATA is a strong organization. You make it so. Our leadership teams over the past several years helped create a “machine” that is well-oiled, freshly painted and buffed with all of our re-branding and a beautiful new website. We also have a long term strategic plan that will guide us towards a bright future.

Let us also reflect on a year of celebration and challenge, because we continue to learn and adapt in a changing world and community that connects us through our love and respect for marine animals:

• 28 Facilities participating in Facility Pass benefit• AMMPA News Digest coming to your email direct!• Emeritus Membership initiated• Developed a 10 year strategic plan for conference regions

based in North America and International locations.• In Memoriam program launched on IMATA Website

At our business meeting on Monday you will receive a more thorough review of these and other accomplishments.

As president, my goal this year was to keep IMATA not only on track but to keep it out in front, leading the way on issues relating to marine animals. I wanted to be sure that we continued to show the world that the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association and our members are the experts when it comes to the care, well-being, training and presentation of marine mammals. We met the challenge to be on the front line by being proactive and telling our truths. And I am proud that’s what we accomplished.

It’s also been a year of emotional hurdles, including, one case that ended tragically. To the family and friends of IMATA member and marine mammal trainer, Jose Luis Barbaro, we continue to hold you in our thoughts and prayers.

Increasingly our facilities and IMATA trainers are in the public and media eye. They want and need to know how professional training is a critical part of our marine animals’ wellbeing. People should understand how we care for our animals, and we need to be transparent and honest about our work because we are the BEST at what we do. We need to show the public that IMATA is committed to ensuring trainers have the opportunities to continue learning and perfecting training methods and programs through exchange of ideas. That is why we are all here this week. IMATA is our catalyst.

One of my goals while President was to help increase the number of IMATA’s potential spokespersons who can help carry our important messages to the public. When we are offered the chance to speak to the public via media, whether in print or broadcast or social media, we need to be prepared to maximize the opportunity. To that end, we brought Public Communications Incorporated media training specialist Jill Allread to our mid-year board meeting where she helped your IMATA leadership team gain new techniques that ensure we articulate our messages clearly and professionally when speaking with the media. We hope to make this training an annual opportunity for board and committee chairs, so that when an issue arises or a call comes for IMATA to speak about our mission and values, we have a team standing by ready to go. Certainly we all have amazing stories to tell about the great work we are doing.

We are here this week to learn, to soak in knowledge shared by our peers from around the world, and to enhance our ability to provide the best for the animals for which we care so passionately. That sharing of knowledge is at the very foundation of IMATA’s mission: Education. In about two months, IMATA begins a new chapter in educational outreach. In early December IMATA members will teach classes for three days to students and graduate students at Osaka College in Japan. I have worked closely with professional IMATA member Satoru Yamamoto, who teaches at the College. He was a huge influence in helping us begin this relationship with our Japanese colleges. I am so excited that IMATA is developing this new educational outreach, and I am committed to seeing this continue in Japan and other countries.

In closing I would like to leave you with some words from schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe, who tragically lost her life on the ill-fated NASA space shuttle Challenger. Christa was the first civilian to ever fly to space, and she was so proud to be given the opportunity. She said,

“I touch the future. I teach.”

IMATA, those words ring true for each and every one of us because that is what we do. Keep teaching, keep inspiring – you DO touch the future in a very positive way!

Linda Erb

IMATA President

5Proceedings 2015

Welcome to the Bahamas and the 42nd Annual Conference of the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association, hosted by Dolphin Cay Atlantis! Our Conference team has been working for three years to put this

event together for you, and it’s finally here! The theme of this year’s conference revolves around how we provide the best possible care to our animals. As trainers, veterinarians, educators, researchers and animal advocates, we have a responsibility to care for the animals in our charge and encourage others to do so as well. This week is filled with opportunities for each of you to learn something new from your colleagues that will directly impact and improve your ability to do your job, so take advantage of everything we have planned for you this week. Planning a conference is always a team effort, but this year was even more so than usual. Teri Corbet, formerly of Dolphin Cay Atlantis, was our Vice-President for this conference and she spent two years putting together the schedule, events, and overall content of what you are about to experience this week. Unfortunately Teri had to step down from her position, so IMATA’s Board of Directors came up with a gameplan to keep Teri’s momentum moving forward.

The Vice-President “position” is now being covered by a team of ten. Each person we asked to help immediately said, “Yes,” and everyone agreed to pile on additional work onto their already busy lives without hesitation. The team includes: Michele Sousa, Will Elgar, Kelly Flaherty Clark, Michelle Campbell, Dave Roberts, Michael Hunt, Eric Gaglione, Jennifer Pletcher, Becky Masuga, Linda Erb and others that are listed on our “thank you” page in Proceedings. Each made sure this conference hap-pened and showed us all how truly dedicated each one of them is to our training community. This type of dedication makes each of them perfect as leaders in the animal care world. There’s always more work to be done, and not enough hours in the day to get it all finished, but when you are fueled by passion, the greater good, and understand the importance of what we do every day to care for our animals, you make the time to do it. Throughout this journey, we’ve learned that when you have a strong team and support group, it’s amazing what we can accomplish together. So please enjoy this year’s conference and know that it involved a LOT of people volunteering their time, energy, and love to create something wonderful for you. We believe that this week will be educational, inspirational, and definitely time well spent.

Bill Wolden

IMATA Past-President

PAST PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

6 Proceedings 2015

SUNDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER8:00am-12:00pm ANIMAL TRAINING CLASS WITH KEN RAMIREZ

INTRODUCTION TO TRAININGThis seminar will give a broad overview of the science behind training and the practical applications of operant conditioning. This seminar is designed for the beginning trainer who wants to get a better grasp of the basic concepts and principles needed to shape behavior. It is also an excellent seminar for experienced trainers who need to teach the material to younger staff.

This seminar will include: • Operant vs. Classical Conditioning • A variety of training and shaping techniques • Putting behaviors on cue • How to ignore unwanted behavior and use an LRS properly • The importance of developing a shaping plan

12:00pm-1:00pm LUNCH BREAK

1:00pm-5:00pm ANIMAL TRAINING CLASS WITH KEN RAMIREZ

NON-FOOD REINFORCERS: MAXIMIZING EFFECTIVENESSExperienced trainers frequently develop a variety reinforcers to use in sessions with their animals, which often include tactile, toys, and play among other things. Additionally trainers frequently talk about the importance of using a variable schedule of reinforcement. However, young trainers are often challenged in their effort to make non-food reinforcers successful and variable schedules effective. Even experienced trainers will discover challenges or animal frustration if these advanced techniques are not implemented successfully. This seminar will focus on the systematic introduction of these techniques into a training program.

This seminar will include:• How to establish strong secondary reinforcers• Determining if something is really a primary reinforcer• Importance of relationship building• Strategic implementation of variety• Differences between a scientific variable schedule and the more practical use of reinforcement variety.

1:00pm-5:00pm CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

7:00pm-10:00pm ICEBREAKERCome join us for an icebreaker beach party sponsored by Dolphin Cay. This event will be filled with music, food, drinks and fun! It’s also a great opportunity to meet other conference attendees and to help facilitate this interaction we will have a fun icebreaker game to play along with great prizes! Please be sure to wear your IMATA conference nametag for entry.

7Proceedings 2015 / Schedule

SCHEDULE

7:00am-7:30am CONFERENCE PRESENTERS’ MEETING

7:00am-8:00am REGISTRATION

8:00am-9:00am OPENING CEREMONIES

Opening Video – Compiled and edited by: Alex Mata

2015 Opening Video Theme: Have Fun With Your Animals Thank you to all of the facilities who filmed and submitted video footage for this year’s Opening Video!

Conference Welcome – Bill Wolden, Past-President Opening Remarks – Linda Erb, President Host Facility Dolphin Cay – Greg Charbeneau IMATA Raffle – Jeni Pletcher

9:00am-10:00am KEYNOTE SPEAKER: BRAD ANDREWS

Not many individuals can say that they have worked in the world of Zoos & Aquariums for over 40 years. Can you imagine the changes that have taken place over the course of four decades? Think of how we have honed our behavioral technique and fine-tuned our skillset for caring for the wonderful animals in our charge. Also consider the demographics or our guests. Those born into Generation Z seem to live by a “new” set of rules. How does all this affect the political climate that regulates what and how we perform our jobs? What does our future hold?

Please join Brad Andrews as he shares some of that history with us. More important, he will share his take on where we are today and the future of teamwork and change.

MONDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER

8 Proceedings 2015 / Schedule

SCHEDULE

9:00am-10:00am KEYNOTE SPEAKER: BRAD ANDREWS Brad Andrews, Chief Zoological Officer for SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, is responsible for all Sea World/Busch Gardens parks’ animal programs, including husbandry, breeding, training, beached animal rescue programs, education and transportation and acquisition procedures.

Andrews began his Sea World career in 1987 as Associate Curator for Sea World of California. He started working with marine mammals in 1972 at Marineland of the Pacific, later becoming General Curator at that marine life park. During his 15-year tenure there, he showed remarkable abilities for animal care and personnel leadership.

He holds a biology/chemistry degree from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California. Andrews is a Board member of Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, Wildlife Alliance, International Elephant Foundation, International Rhino Foundation, Cheetah Conservation Fund, African Carnivore Research Association, Global Conservation Network, and United States Rugby Foundation. He serves as a Steering Committee Member of the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Past- chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Past-president of the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, Past-president of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, a member of the International Marine Animal Trainers Association, the International Wild Waterfowl Association, the Society of Marine Mammalogists, and the European Association for Aquatic Mammals.

10:00am-10:30am COFFEE BREAK

10:30am-10:40am ANNOUNCEMENTS / RAFFLE

10:40am-12:00pm FORMAL PRESENTATIONS (4) MODERATOR - MICHELLE SHOEMAKER, SEAWORLD ORLANDO

LEARNING ON HER TERMS: USING INNOVATIVE BEHAVIOR AS A MOTIVATIONAL TOOL WITH AN ADULT FEMALE PACIFIC WALRUS Kayla Bergman

WHAT CAN AN AMAZON RIVER DOLPHIN BE TRAINED TO DO? Sandy A. Tassi Kremer

CAN MR. MANATEE TURN RIGHT? YES HE CAN! Ming Ying Hsieh

USING OPERANT CONDITIONING TO DECREASE THE FREQUENCY OF AN INTRINSICALLY MOTIVATING BEHAVIOR Joshua Suggs & Valerie Greene


1:30pm-3:00pm IMATA BUSINESS MEETING



SCHEDULE

MONDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 3:00pm-3:30pm COFFEE BREAK

3:30pm-4:30pm FORMAL PRESENTATIONS (3) MODERATOR - SHELLEY WOOD, ABC ANIMAL TRAINING

THEIR NUMBER WAS UP: TRAINING AND INSIGHTS OF WORKING SEMI & FREE CONTACT WITH MALE CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS RESCUED FROM THE BONNEVILLE DAM Madelynn Hettiger

CARING FOR RESCUED CALIFORNIA SEA LION PUPS (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS): THE REALITIES, THE CHALLENGES AND THE REWARDS Nicole K Enright

USHAKA SEA WORLD SEAL REHABILITATION AND THE INTRODUCTION OF SATELLITE TRACKINGColette Bodenstaff

7:00pm-10:00pm CAREER NIGHT #1

RESUME REVIEWCoordinator – Michelle Campbell, Dolphin Quest (see biography on page 11)Make a reservation for the Resume Review workshop! This event is for anyone interested in having experienced IMATA leadership review his or her resume in a casual one on one setting. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss his or her resume with experienced personnel in the marine mammal training industry. Participants will receive guidance regarding general resume content, resume format and advice on what a prospective employer may or may not value in a resume. This workshop is a must for those either looking to enter the marine mammal training field or for those who simply want to maintain a professional resume.

INTERVIEW INSIGHTSModerator – Shelley Wood, ABC Animal Training (see biography on page 11)Come join our panel of facility managers as they offer helpful suggestions to improve your interview skills. They will review helpful tips on the entire interview process including how to prepare and how to conduct a successful interview. Practice interviews will also be conducted with audience participation. Now is your chance to get hands on experience to help you get your dream job! No reservations required and all are welcome to attend.


SCHEDULE

CAREER NIGHT FACILITATORS

Michelle Campbell, Director of Marine Animals – Dolphin Quest / Quest Global Management

Michelle has been with Dolphin Quest since 1992 when she started as an entry-level trainer at Dolphin Quest Hawaii. In 1996, she transferred to Dolphin Quest Bermuda to be part of the animal management team and in 2005 advanced into her current corporate role as the Director of Marine Animals.

Michelle attended the University of California at Santa Barbara where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, in 1991. During school, she spent one summer at the Indianapolis Zoo as an intern for the Marine Mammal Biome. While in

school, she gained valuable experience as a veterinary technician at a local small animal practice. After graduating, she was employed by Cedar Point’s Oceana in Sandusky, Ohio, working with California sea lions and Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. She went on to get her Masters in Psychology in 2008 from California Coast University in Santa Ana, California.

Michelle has been active in the marine mammal community through her accreditation work with the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. In addition, she has been a member of IMATA for over 20 years and has served on the board of directors as Vice President. She has authored and contributed to several published articles and presentations during her tenure with Dolphin Quest and continues to play an active role in the annual conferences by coordinating various activities such as the Job Fair, Resume Review and Swim Test Workshop.

Shelley Wood, Owner – ABC Animal Training / Dolphin Discovery

Shelley is the owner of ABC Training Systems, a company dedicated to producing educational material to improve the quality of lives of animals living under human care and to promote career building in the marine mammal training profession. She is the author of ABC Animal Training and Director of ABC Dolphin Trainer Academy.

Shelley has been with IMATA serving on the Board of Directors since 2008 and she has presented career building and animal training workshops to IMATA members.

Shelley has been training marine mammals, terrestrial animals and educating trainers for 25 years. In 1994 she moved to Cancún Mexico where she played an important role in the development and opening of Dolphin Discovery. Her career with Dolphin Discovery has seen Shelley evolve from hands on animal trainer to Corporate Trainer Educator (CTE) for all Dolphin Discovery facilities. As CTE she was responsible for the development of curricula, courses, and guidelines used in Dolphin Discovery’s continuing trainer education program. Shelley currently serves as a consultant for Dolphin Discovery.


SCHEDULE

7:00am-7:30am CONFERENCE PRESENTERS’ MEETING


8:00am ANNOUNCEMENTS/RAFFLE

8:30am PANEL DISCUSSION INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR AQUATIC ANIMAL MEDICINE PROVIDING OUR ANIMALS THE BEST OF CARE Moderator – Dave Roberts, SeaWorld San Diego

The field of marine animal care has been at the forefront of positive animal welfare since the first dolphin gave a conditioned blood sample well over 30 years ago. Today, positive reinforcement training is the primary language that we use to communicate with the animals we care for, and it allows us to develop an ever expanding suite of behaviors and interactions that all ultimately serve to enhance our capacity to study, treat, and perhaps most importantly share these incredible animals with society at large.

But where can we go from here? What is the future of marine animal health and wellness? And how do positive reinforcement behavioral training and veterinary care continue to evolve synergistically to maximize our relationships with our animals, and to promote and foster the human animal bond?In this joint workshop of IMATA and the IAAAM we will put our collective heads together to imagine the future and to share what each of us is doing now, or planning to do, to revolutionize our approach to marine animal health and wellbeing.

The panel includes Drs. Martin Haulena, Geraldine Lacave, Mike Renner and Chris Dold. (see biographies on pages 14-15)

10:00am COFFEE BREAK

10:30am-12:00pm FORMAL PRESENTATIONS (4) MODERATOR - PETER GILJAM, KOLMARDEN DJURPARK

THE USE OF OPERANT CONDITIONING IN THREE AUSTRALIAN PELICANS Angelo Henriques

SHAPE AND COLOR DISCRIMINATION AND MATCH TO SAMPLE TRAINING IN GENTOO PENGUINS (PYGOSCELIS PAPUA) - Anna Pauline Svensson & Paola Cuevas

NEW IDEA FOR PENGUINS TRANSPORT IN OCEAN PARK HONG KONG Frank Chau & Gavin Fong

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVER - SWIMMING WITH ANTARCTIC PENGUINS: WHY NOT? TRAINING THE FIRST SUBZERO PENGUIN INTERACTION PROGRAM OF ITS KIND…..IN THE WATER! - Sarah Pillay

TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER


SCHEDULE


1:30pm BREAK-OUT SESSIONS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR AQUATIC ANIMAL MEDICINE VETERINARIANS & TRAINERS: WORKING TOGETHER

You are invited to join our guest veterinarians from the IAAAM to discuss how “we” can work together to think outside the box, challenge convention, and be open to new ideas and methods. Feedback from the morning Panel Discussion will help drive the direction of our Workshops. Be part of the cutting edge and drive our own future!

3:00pm COFFEE BREAK

3:30pm ANNOUNCEMENTS/RAFFLE

3:40pm-5:00pm FORMAL PRESENTATIONS (4) MODERATOR - JILL WATTLES, DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

HEY, IS SHE SMILING AT ME? SEARCHING FOR SMILES OF DOLPHINSSatoru Yamamoto

“WHAT’S THAT YOU SAY?” USING VERBAL COMMUNICATION WITH ATLANTIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINSJamie P. Stevens & Jennifer M. Erb

AWARENESS OF CONTROL AS A PRIMARY REINFORCERGabrielle Harris

EXPLORING THE SCIENCE BEHIND ANIMAL ASSISTED INTERVENTIONSCecilia Marre



SCHEDULE

CHRISTOPHER DOLD DVM - Vice President of Veterinary Services, SeaWorld Parks & EntertainmentDr. Christopher Dold is SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Vice President, Veterinary Services. He oversees the animal health and wellness programs that provide comprehensive care, disease detection, and medical and surgical treatment for the marine and terrestrial animals in the company’s care, and the animals brought in as part of the wildlife rescue program. Additionally, Dr. Dold has co-authored several published studies and book chapters that help to advance the global scientific understanding of animals and their care.

Before assuming his current role, Dr. Dold was a senior veterinarian at SeaWorld Orlando. Prior to joining SeaWorld he was a National Academies- National Research Council Postdoctoral Clinical Fellow with the US Navy Marine Mammal Program, and completed a University of California-Davis Internship in Marine Mammal Medicine and Pathology at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, Calif. He started his veterinary career as a small animal doctor in Hawaii.Chris is the past President of the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine and has served on that organization’s board for the past five years. Since 2009, he has served as an active board member for Florida’s Blood Centers and One Blood, Florida’s not-for-profit 501(c) (3) community asset responsible for providing safe, available and affordable blood to more than 200 hospital partners and their patients.

Dr. Dold received a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.

Chris and his wife Erika are proud parents of two wonderful children. As a family they shepherd a small menagerie of animals at home, including a dog, a cat, and a parrot. This summer they welcomed home a Labrador retriever puppy which they are excited to raise and foster on behalf of Canine Companions for Independence, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs.

MICHAEL S. RENNER DVMDr. Renner grew up on the north shore of Long Island where my love of marine life was born. He received his BA - Connecticut College. He received his DVM - University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine. Zoo internship at Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, Kansas, straight out of veterinary school. Stayed on at Sedgwick Zoo as staff veterinarian for another year. Then Miami Seaquarium, SeaWorld Cleveland, Columbus Zoo and currently self-employed with his very own marine mammal consulting business out of Jupiter, Florida. Also adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine, and is the current secretary for the IAAAM.

14 Proceedings 2015 / IAAAM Panelist

IAAAM PANELISTS

MARTIN HAULENA DVM, MSC, DIPL. ACZMDr. Martin Haulena graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph in 1993. He completed a clinical internship in aquatic animal medicine at Mystic Aquarium in 1996 and a Master’s degree in pathobiology from the University of Guelph in 1999. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Zoological Medicine in 2007. Dr. Haulena was the Staff Veterinarian at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California for 9 years. He has been Staff Veterinarian at the Vancouver Aquarium since 2006. His special interests are in the medical management of aquatic animals, particularly marine mammals, with emphasis on innovative diagnostic methods such as MRIs, endoscopy and sonography, developing safe anaesthetic protocols and improving surgical techniques. Veterinary students from around the world study aquatic animal medicine each year under the direction of Dr. Haulena. He serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University and Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia Fisheries Centre. His professional affiliations include the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine, Wildlife Disease Association and the American Association of Zoological Veterinarians. He has authored over 45 scientific journal articles and book chapters.

GERALDINE LACAVE DVMDr. Geraldine Lacave graduated in 1990 from the veterinary faculty of the Liege University in Belgium and obtained the first prize for her thesis on marine mammals, particularly pinnipeds, anesthesia. During her studies, she worked for a couple of years during her free time as a volunteer at the Bruges dolphinarium in Belgium where she also started her marine mammal carrier. She has devoted this carrier for the promotion of medical training in marine mammals, working very closely with the trainers in the development of good husbandry procedures for the animals in human care. She is working as a veterinary consultant worldwide since 1994 and gives regularly workshops on several subjects. She has been a member of EAAM, IMATA and IAAAM for over 20 years, is Past President of EAAM and past Vice-President of IMATA and presented numerous papers during the conferences. Aside of training, her main interests go to ultrasound, anesthesia and Erysipelas vaccination in dolphins. She is also the founder of the Marine Mammal Medical Workshops.

15Proceedings 2015 / IAAAM Panelist

IAAAM PANELISTS

TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 5:00pm-6:30pm POSTER PRESENTATIONS & COLL PERSKE PHOTO AND ART CONTEST

POSTER PRESENTATIONS (see pages 17-18 for full list)

The room will be filled with easels displaying all accepted poster presentations with the authors standing by to discuss their poster topics and answer any questions you have.

COLL PERSKE PHOTO AND ART CONTEST

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), longtime sponsor of the Photo and Art contest is proud to do so again this year. Entries are the work of IMATA members and are showcased and judged in one of three categories, PHOTO, ART, or HUMOR. Winners will be awarded cash prizes for 1st and 2nd places along with best overall.

7:00pm-10:00pm CAREER NIGHT #2

JOB FAIRCoordinator – Michelle Campbell, Dolphin Quest

Come one, come all! Whether you are an organization seeking to hire or an attendee jockeying for your dream job, this is the event for you! The room will be filled with various marine animal organizations showcasing their organization and collecting resumes for positions in training/research/education positions or possibly even internships. This is a great place to bring your newly revised resume and business cards to meet potential employers face to face.


SCHEDULE

SUCCESSFUL VOLUNTARY GASTROSCOPY TRAINING WITH AN AGGRESSIVE DOLPHINArenea Sleeman and Gabby Harris*uShaka Sea World, Durban, South Africa

A LITTLE ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES: COMPOSITIONAL ANALYSIS OF MILK SAMPLES FROM ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHINS (STENO BREDANENSIS) Dr. Lydia Staggs, Secret Holmes*, Heather DowningGulf World Marine Park, Panama City Beach, USA

LASER THERAPY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO MEDICATION OR SURGERY Dr. Lydia Staggs, Secret Holmes, Allison Hinz* Gulf World Marine Park, Panama City Beach, USA

COMPARING DIETARY COMPONENTS OF BOTTENOSE DOLPHINS’ NATIVE AND NON-NATIVE DIETSRita Stacey* and Melissa Zabojnik* Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, USA

ADVANCES IN TRAINING OF SEMEN SAMPLES COLLECTION IN A SOUTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL (MIROUNGA LEONINA)Marco Gonzalez*, Matias Naughton, Nestor Truppa, Ivan Zubizarreta, Yesica Buzid, Roxana CastelliMundo Marino, San Clemete de Tuyu, Argentina

DERMATOLOGICAL SKIN CONDITIONS IN SOUTH AMERICAN SEA LIONSCarla Haskell*, Eric Anderson, DVM, Will Elgar, Greg Charbeneau, Chelsea Roberts, RAHTDolphin Cay, Atlantis, Paradise Island, Commonwealth of the Bahamas

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE: AN INSIDE VIEW INTO THE SUCCESSFUL STORY OF KEEPING CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS) AT THE NUREMBERG ZOOChristiane Thiere* and Andreas FackelNuremberg Zoo, Nuremberg Reichswald, Germany

WAIT! DON´T PANIC! THERE IS A NATURAL SOLUTION TO THIS MIRACLE Edgar Urbina, Manuel Garduño, Alex Mata, Silvia Becerra, Leila Zekkour, Mauricio Madrazo, Joanna Stoklosa*, Roberto Sanchez Okrucky, Shelley WoodDolphin Discovery, Cancun, Mexico

TRAINING AND ENRICHMENT USED TO IMPROVE DENTAL CARE IN SOUTH AFRICAN FUR SEALSColette Bodenstaff*uShaka Sea World, Durban, South Africa

AMAZON RIVER DOLPHIN CONSERVATION FOUNDATIONSuzanne M. SmithAmazon River Dolphin Conservation Foundation, New Orleans, USA

PROTEINS, FATS AND KILOCALORIES IN 5 FISH SPECIES USED IN THE MARINE MAMMAL INDUSTRY OVER THE LAST 22 YEARS.Dan Shinder2, Wayne Phillips1, Jaime Alberto1*, Bernal Vertiz1* 1Cabo dolphins, Los Cabos, Mexico2Pisces Seafood International, La Mesa, USA

YALIT, A CASE TO SHAREAbarca J., Serrano L., Capote T., Torres R. & López C.*Grupo Via Delphi SA de CV, Cacún, Mexico

TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER POSTER PRESENTATION LIST

Continued on next page > > >


SCHEDULE

PERCEIVED END OF SESSION AGGRESSION IN A SOUTH AFRICAN FUR SEALColette Bodenstaff*, Bilal Limbada, Nikhiel SinghuShaka Sea World, Durban, South Africa

HOW DO YOU FIGHT THE CLAIM THAT DOLPHINS ARE “FORCED TO WORK ALL DAY”?...WITH DATA!Kelly Jaakkola*, Emily Guarino, Jane Hecksher, Katy Donegan Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, USA

BRINGING BACK THE JOY: MOTIVATING TWO SATIATED MALE ATLANTIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) TO RETURN TO GUEST INTERACTIONS Charlotte Raven*, George RodgersDolphin Explorer, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

THE IMPORTANCE OF COOPERATION AND TRUST IN A LONG TREATMENT OF INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION IN OLD TUSIOPS TRUNCATUS, WHO WAS NEVER INJECTED, USING POSITIVE HISTORY SCENARIO AS A SUCCESFULL CONDITIONING METHODRicardo Ruiz*, Cynthia Henderson & Tashi Reid.Onmega Dolphin Park, Marmaris, Turkey

RELATIONSHIP AS THE MAIN REINFORCEMENT TO TRAIN A BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN CALF TO BLOOD SAMPLE BY BEHAVIOURNeto A.P. Henriques*, A. Popadina, M. Libianchi, F. Patrignani, F. Valeri L. Grande, L. FiorucciZoomarine Italia, Pomezia, Italy

INTRODUCTION OF FAMILIAR AND NOVEL OBJECTS FOR TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS PONTICUS UNDER HUMAN CARERuta Ziliene1* and Fabienne Delfour2

¹Lithuanian Sea museum/Klaipeda University, Lithuania²Laboratoire d’Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée, Paris 13 University, Villetaneuse, France

FOUR DECADES OF HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND FUN: WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?Márcia Neto, Elsa Quintino*, Lucie Palma, Alexandra Rodrigues, Carla Flanagan, Marco Bragança, Miguel SilveiraZoomarine, Lisbon, Portugal

TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER POSTER PRESENTATION LIST CONTINUED


SCHEDULE

7:00am – 7:30am CONFERENCE PRESENTERS’ MEETING



8:30am SPECIAL PRESENTATION INAPPROPRIATE HANDLING OF DATA, INVALID COMPARISONS, AND UNSUPPORTED CONCLUSIONS: COMMENTS ON “CAPTIVE KILLER WHALE (ORCINUS ORCA) SURVIVAL” BY JETT AND VENTRE (2015).

– Drs. Kelly Jaakkola and Grey Stafford

The subject of any animal’s welfare in a zoological setting is an important topic for public discussion and scientific debate. When it comes to killer whales; however, this discussion often takes the form of accusation, misleading propaganda (e.g., Blackfish), and conjecture, which can result in misguided wildlife policy and prohibitive laws that harm science, education, and conservation efforts for this and other species. Please join Drs. Kelly Jaakkola and Grey Stafford for an educational discussion regarding a recently published article, Captive killer whale (Orcinus orca) survival (Jett and Ventre 2015), and how inappropriate handling of data and invalid comparisons may lead to unsupported conclusions. They will contrast this work to the results of another recently published paper, Comparisons of life-history parameters between free-ranging and captive killer whale (Orcinus orca) populations for application toward species management (Robeck et al. 2015).

Jett, J. & Ventre, J. (2015) Captive killer whale (Orcinus orca) survival. Marine Mammal Science, DOI: http://dx.doi.org.10.1111/mms.12225

Robeck, T. R., Willis, K., Scarpuzzi, M. R., O’Brien, J. K. (2015) Comparisons of life-history parameters between free-ranging and captive killer whale (Orcinus orca) populations for application toward species management. Journal of Mammology, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyv113

Robeck, T., Jaakkola, K., Stafford G., & Willis, K. (in press). Killer whale (Orcinus orca) survivorship in captivity: A critique of Jett and Ventre (2015). Marine Mammal Science.

WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER


SCHEDULE

9:00am-10:00am FORMAL PRESENTATIONS (3) MODERATOR - RACHEL SIDWELL

INNOVATIVE TRAINING APPLICATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS IN A NATURAL ENVIRONMENTJessica D’Ascanio

FOLLOW ME! USING MIMICRY AND LACTATION REINFORCEMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DESENSITIZATION TRAINING OF A NURSING SEA LIONNahoko Hayashi

MENTAL VS. MEDICAL: SMALL FACILITY, LARGE IMPACT AND CREATIVE STRATEGIES FOR EXPANDING AND IMPLEMENTING ANIMAL HUSBANDRY PRACTICES WITH LIMITED RESOURCESCynthia Henderson


10:30am-12:00pm FORMAL PRESENTATIONS (4) MODERATOR - JOHANNA STOKLOSA, DOLPHIN DISCOVERY

TRAINING RAM VENTILATING SHARKS FOR STATIONING BEHAVIORSMichelle Y. Crosetto DVM

THERE’S NO STOPPING US RIGHT NOWJan Czaja & Victoria Ferraro

IMPROVING ANIMAL WELLNESS AND GUEST EXPERIENCE THROUGH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND SECONDARY REINFORCERS WITH A GOLIATH GROUPER (EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA)Juliane Nylund & Thad Lacinak

COMBINING OPERANT CONDITIONING AND OUR OWN CREATIVE ENGINEERING TO DEVELOP HUSBANDRY BEHAVIORS WITH A 350 POUND, FIVE FOOT WIDE ROUGHTAIL RAY (DASYATIS CENTROURA)Nicole Ethier & Christina Mendonca

12:00pm LUNCH BREAK – 60 MINUTES

WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER


SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 1:00pm-7:00pm DOLPHIN ENCOUNTER SITE VISIT Dolphin Encounters would like to invite all conference attendees to a fun-filled beach party at our facility.

1:00pm-1:45pm Board a double decker catamaran at the Ferry Terminal on Paradise Island for a scenic 20-minute boat ride to Dolphin Encounters’ private island. There will be two boats – one departs at 1:30pm and the other departs at 1:45pm. You must have your IMATA nametag to get on the boat!

2:00pm-4:30pm Dolphin Encounters is closed to the public and open ONLY to IMATA conference attendees. Enjoy a dolphin swim, dolphin encounter or sea lion encounter offered at greatly discounted rates with all proceeds being donated to the IMATA Conservation and Research Fund – please sign up for these encounters during registration. Watch scheduled training sessions with onsite trainers. Take part in organized beach games on the beautiful Blue Lagoon beach. Play on the big inflatable water park. Relax and grab a hammock for lounging and relaxing. If you registered for the conference early, be sure to pick up your conference t-shirt at the Dolphin Encounters Education Classroom near the sea lion habitat.

4:30pm-6:30pm Enjoy heavy hor d’oeuvres and discounted special drinks

5:30pm-6:30pm INFORMAL PRESENTATIONS IN THE DINING AREA ON BLUE LAGOON ISLAND Moderator - Sarah Brignac, Dolphin Research Center

7:00pm Board the catamarans and enjoy a lovely sunset cruise back to Paradise Island and the Atlantis hotel

7:00pm-10:00pm SOCIAL NIGHT AT THE GREEN PARROTThe Green Parrot is a fun bar and restaurant and they are opening the doors to all IMATA conference attendees on Wednesday, 30 September, 2015 with drink specials and great music! Located under the bridge on Paradise Island, this location offers some of the best Bahamian food on the island in a magnificent island bar type setting. Have fun and drink responsibly!

So What Would You Do With Some Kilos Less? Challenges of Training Antarctic Penguins Paola Cuevas * & Anna Pauline Svensson* Snow Penguins, Skidubai, Dubai U.A.E.

One is the Loneliest Number: A Solitary Dolphin Joins an Established Dolphin Social GroupTeri Bolton*, Eldon Bolton III & Samir GalindoThe Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences, Bay Islands, Republic of Honduras

The Effects of Time and Treatment on Frequency and Severity of Seizures in an Adult Male California Sea Lion Maggie DoutreWildlife Conservation Society, Queens Zoo, Bronx, NY, USA

The B Team: The Significance of the Support Trainers in a Large Facility Tazia T. Rutherford*, Will Elgar & Greg CharbeneauDolphin Cay Atlantis, Paradise Island, Commonwealth of the Bahamas

What’s Your Sign? April MartinNational Aquarium, Baltimore, MD, USA

Use of New Technologies and Novel Tools to advance Marine Mammal Research and Conservation Initiatives: Where will technology takes us and how long will it take us to get there?Stephen McCulloch1, Kevin Brown*2, Mark Simmons3, Todd Feucht3, Robin Friday3,Juli Goldstein1 & Armando Rodriguez4

1Protect Wild Dolphins Alliance,2Utility Robotics, 3Ocean Embassy, 4Dolphin Research Center


SCHEDULE

Swim with the dolphins, interact with sea lions and enjoy a day at a unique beach on beautiful Blue Lagoon Island. Dolphin Encounters offers animal interactive programs in a safe environment with an emphasis on education and entertainment. Our main objective is to let guests interactively experience bottlenose dolphins and sea lions in their natural habitats and to heighten their awareness and understanding of these truly magnificent animals and similar species.

Not far from Nassau, Bahamas, come visit us on magnificent Blue Lagoon Island or just learn more about the marine environment and the marine mammals under our care through our Education pages.

dolphinencounters.com

22 Proceedings 2015

7:00am – 7:30am CONFERENCE PRESENTERS’ MEETING



8:30am ATAC COMMITTEE GAME SHOW: “HEADS UP!”

9:00am GUEST SPEAKER – DR. TERRY L. MAPLEDr. Terry Maple is best known for his visionary leadership in revitalizing Atlanta’s city zoo. During Dr. Maple’s tenure as CEO, Zoo Atlanta became recognized as one of the world’s most innovative zoological parks. Dr. Maple has been invited to share the importance of the priority of animal welfare being elevated to equal status with conservation, as they are synergistic concepts. The new frontier of wildlife wellness requires that we understand what it means for each species to reach a standard of thriving, monitor and document thriving in great detail, and actively promote it through the science of behavior analysis and the practice of behavior management.

(see biography on next page)


10:30am-12:00pm FORMAL PRESENTATIONS (4) MODERATOR - PHILLIP ADMIRE, THE MIRAGE DOLPHIN HABITAT

HUMOR, TIMING, PACE, AND BEHAVIORS: EMPLOYING HIGH PRODUCTION VALUE TO SHARE OUR MESSAGECristina Mendonca & Martha Hiatt

THE SHAMU CONNECTION: CONNECTING CLASSROOMS AROUND THE WORLD VIA LIVE VIDEO CONNECTIONJoseph Sanchez & Kristen McMahon-Van Oss

UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF MARINE MAMMAL FACILITIES IN TODAY’S CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE: ANSWERING THE ACTIVISTS’ CLAIMSKelly Jaakkola

IT’S A ZOO OUT THERE: CREATING MARINE CONSERVATION IMPACTS THROUGH ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTION AND ANIMAL INVOLVEMENTHeather L. Crane & Sophia M. Darling

THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER


SCHEDULE

DR. TERRY L. MAPLEDr. Terry L. Maple is best known for his visionary leadership in revitalizing Atlanta’s city zoo after the most publicized scandal in the history of American zoos. Dr. Maple’s eighteen years of reform leadership re-branded Zoo Atlanta as a non-profit corporation and restored its credibility. Atlanta’s public-private partnership started a trend to privatization in the zoo industry. Former Mayor Andrew Young hailed Zoo Atlanta as the most successful privatization in Georgia history.

During Dr. Maple’s tenure as CEO, Zoo Atlanta became recognized as one of the world’s most innovative zoological parks. In 1987 and again in 2000, the zoo was honored by the Metropolitan Communities Foundation as Atlanta’s “best-managed nonprofit corporation”. Honoring the quality of its design and reconstruction, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) presented five awards to Zoo Atlanta for excellence in exhibit design. Zoo Atlanta’s partnership with local television resulted in six Emmy Awards for local programming, and in 1991, the Georgia Wildlife Federation honored Zoo Atlanta as its “Conservation Organization of the Year.” Upon his retirement from the zoo in 2003, he returned to an endowed chair at Georgia Tech. In 2008 he retired as Elizabeth Smithgall Watts Professor Emeritus marking thirty years of service in the School of Psychology.

Based largely on the programs established by Dr. Maple from 1984-2002, Zoo Atlanta was recently honored with AZA’s prestigious Edward H. Bean Award, for its fifty years of lowland gorilla conservation, exhibition, husbandry, propagation and research. Once denigrated as one of America’s worst zoos, Zoo Atlanta is now recognized as one of the world’s best.

During his parallel academic career in Atlanta, Dr. Maple mentored and trained twenty-seven doctoral students at Emory University and Georgia Tech. As a research group, Dr. Maple, his students, and his collaborators have published 225 journal articles, chapters and books on the behavior, conservation, and welfare of African antelopes, baboons, capuchins, chimpanzees, elephants, flamingos, giant pandas, gorillas, giraffe, lemurs, lions, macaques, mandrills, orangutans, spider monkeys, tigers, and zoo visitors. The acclaimed book Ethics on the Ark, based on a national conference organized and hosted by Zoo Atlanta and Georgia Tech was co-edited by Dr. Maple and published by Smithsonian in 1995.

An elected Fellow of the American Psychological Association, the Association of Psychological Science, and a former President of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Dr. Maple was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” in 1998 by the Atlanta Chapter of Stanford Business School Alumni. He received the 1999 “President’s Award” from the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau for his contributions to tourism in Georgia. He was elected to Fellow status in the Georgia Academy of Sciences in 2005. On May 17, 2008 he received an

24 Proceedings 2015 / Guest Speaker

GUEST SPEAKER

honorary Doctor of Laws degree from his alma mater, University of the Pacific, in Stockton, California.

Dr. Maple is the Founding Editor of the journal Zoo Biology published by John Wiley/Blackwell in association with the AZA, and a founding member of the American Society of Primatologists.

An internationally recognized expert on the behavior, welfare, and conservation of great apes, Dr. Maple’s ideas provided the ethological programming for Zoo Atlanta’s innovative lowland gorilla exhibit, acknowledged as one of the most important gorilla facilities in the world. Sponsored by Ford Motor Company and branded as the Ford African Rain Forest, it is the first exhibit designed for a population of gorillas distributed in four contiguous groups. Throughout his career he has provided consulting services and strategic advice to NIH committees concerned with the psychological well-being and propagation of nonhuman primates in research laboratories and primate research centers.

As President of the AZA (1998-1999), Dr. Maple established the association’s first diversity initiative, worked to differentiate AZA institutions from roadside attractions, and strengthened the association’s scientific network. His diplomacy on giant panda conservation resulted in a new partnership with China’s Ministry of Construction, the governmental agency responsible for China’s zoological gardens, and Zoo Atlanta’s successful exhibition of giant pandas after ten years of complex negotiations. Zoo Atlanta was the second zoo in the nation (after San Diego) to acquire giant pandas under the new, stringent regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

He has served on dozens of governmental and non-governmental committees including a four year Presidential appointment to the board of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). As an experienced and successful fund-raising executive, he consults regularly with aspiring executives in the nonprofit world. He is well-known as an expert in crisis and conflict management. In 2015 he was named to serve on the prestigious Division of Earth and Life Studies (DELS) committee for the National Academy of Sciences.

In 2005, Dr. Maple was granted a formal leave-of-absence from Georgia Tech to become the President/CEO of the Palm Beach Zoo. On Earth day 2009, the Palm Beach Zoo opened the innovative Melvin J. and Claire Levine Animal Care Complex, including a state-of-the-art animal hospital and the innovative Center for Conservation Medicine. Equipped with solar power provided by a grant from the Florida Power & Light Foundation, the U.S. Green Building Council certified the building LEED Gold, the first LEED-certified zoo veterinary hospital in the nation. Confirming the zoo’s growing leadership role in sustainability, the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin County named the Palm Beach Zoo as its “Sustainability Leader” among 59 competing non-profits in the region. After retiring as CEO of the Palm Beach Zoo in 2011 he resumed his affiliation with Florida Atlantic University and finished his thirteenth book, Zoo Animal Welfare (co-authored with Bonnie Perdue) published by Springer-Verlag in 2013. Among his active consulting engagements nationwide, Dr. Maple served from 2011 to 2014 as the San Francisco Zoo’s first “Professor-in-Residence” and the architect of their unique “Stanton Family Wellness Initiative” including applications to exhibit and facility design. In his current engagement as Professor-in-Residence, Dr. Maple is a mentor to keepers, curators, and veterinarians at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and actively working on his next book, Professor in the Zoo.

25Proceedings 2015 / Guest Speaker

GUEST SPEAKER


1:30pm ANNOUNCEMENTS/RAFFLE

1:40pm-3:00pm FORMAL PRESENTATIONS (4) MODERATOR - MARNI WOOD, MIAMI SEAQUARIUM

ESTIMATING THE AEROBIC DIVE LIMIT OF SOUTH AMERICAN SEA LIONS (OTARIA FLAVESCENS)Madelieine Arencibia

COOPERATIVE INVESTIGATION INTO DECOMPRESSIONS STRESS IN STELLER SEA LIONS (EUMETOPIAS JUBATUS)Troy Neale

COMBINING VIDEO, ACCELEROMETRY AND ACOUSTICS TO STUDY MOVEMENTS AND ROUTINES OF CAPTIVE TURSIOPS TRUNCATUSPatricia Rachinas-Lopes

C-WELL: THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WELFARE ASSESSMENT INDEX FOR CAPTIVE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS)Isabella L. K. Clegg

3:30pm-6:00pm AQUAVENTURE WATERPARK VISIT & SCAVENGER HUNTAll IMATA conference attendees are welcome to join us for an afternoon at the amazing Aquaventure Waterpark, located at the Atlantis Bahamas Resort. Filled with water slides, river rides, pools, beaches and more, this will be a great way to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather. In addition, IMATA is sponsoring an amazing scavenger hunt throughout the waterpark, so if you want to join a team, be sure to sign up at registration. And there will be prizes for the winners!

THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER


SCHEDULE

HOST FACILITYOur Host Facility for the 2016 IMATA Conference is Dolphin Cay Atlantis and they have opened up their doors to all conference attendees to ensure everyone’s visit to the Bahamas is a memorable one.

Aside from hosting Sunday night’s icebreaker event, Dolphin Cay and the Atlantis hotel have offered a FREE dolphin interaction for every single conference attendee. To book your encounter just dial 41 from your hotel room to make your reservation, or visit any Atlantis Adventures desk.

In addition, Dolphin Cay is offering FREE behind-the-scenes tours to allow guests a closer look at their operations along with FREE educational training sessions where you can work alongside their dolphin trainers. Reservations for the behind-the-scenes tours and educational training sessions can be made during registration so be sure to sign up!

www.atlantisbahamas.com/thingstodo/dolphincay

27Proceedings 2015

FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBER 7:00am – 7:30am CONFERENCE PRESENTERS’ MEETING



8:30am-10:00am FORMAL PRESENTATIONS (4) MODERATOR - CAROLINA STOVALL

HAND-RAISING OF A ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHIN NEONATE (STENO BREDANENSIS) AND TRAINING OF THE NURSING BEHAVIOR BETWEEN MOTHER AND CALFSecret Holmes

VOLUNTARY TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC IMAGING OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS AS A SCREENING TEST FOR CARDIAC DISEASEKatie Rice & Julie Rocho-Levine

DAYSI-A DOLPHIN REFUSING MORNING FISH INTAKE, PROCESSES TO ADDRESS THIS BEHAVIOR BY APPLYING TO OPERANT CONDITIONING TECHNIQUESRicardo Ruiz

HOW OPERANT CONDITIONING CAN ELIMINATE NETS IN A ONE HOUR DOLPHIN CALF INTERVENTION: INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN TO SURVIVALAlex Mata & Raul Novelo


10:30am-11:30am FORMAL PRESENTATIONS (3) MODERATOR - MARGARET BLACK - ALASKA SEA LIFE CENTER

DEVELOPMENT OF A PINNIPED ULTRASONOGRAPHY REFERENCE ATLASGeraldine Lacave

SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO BE HELD: THEATER OF THE SEA’S DISABLED CALIFORNIA SEA LION LEARNS VOLUNTARY RESTRAINTAmy Wise

WAITING TO INHALE: TRAINING A BLIND 28 YEAR OLD ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS TO HOLD AN EXHALE FOR AN ASTONISHING VIEW OF THE HEART FOR AN ECHOCARDIOGRAMKaria G. Kovacic


SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBER

11:30am-11:50am 2016 IMATA CONFERENCE PRESENTATION

11:50am BIG TICKET RAFFLE

11:30am – 12:30pm PEOPLE’S CHOICE BALLOTS DUE Grab your People’s Choice ballot (attached to your name tag when you first arrived at the conference) and write down who you would like to vote for to receive the 2015 People’s Choice Award. Nominees can include any individual, group, or organization that conference attendees feel has made the greatest contribution to the 2015 Conference. Please be specific when writing down your nomination and deposit your ballot into the official People’s Choice Ballot Box by 12:30pm! Winners will be announced tonight at the Honors and Awards Ceremony!


1:30pm-3:00pm COMMITTEE MEETINGSGrand Ball Room

6:30pm-12:00am HONORS & AWARDS BANQUETJoin us for the biggest night of the week where we celebrate excellence and hand out IMATA awards to our selected recipients for their formal presentations, art contest entries, service as IMATA Board member and more.

6:30pm COCKTAIL RECEPTION

7:00pm FORMAL DINNER Please dress to impress!

8:00pm HONORS AND AWARDS CEREMONY

9:00pm-12:00am IMATA DANCE PARTY!


SCHEDULE

LEARNING ON HER TERMS: USING THE INNOVATIVE BEHAVIOR AS A MOTIVATIONAL TOOL WITH AN ADULT FEMALE PACIFIC WALRUS (OBODENUS ROSMARUS)Kayla Bergman Wildlife Conservation Society-New York Aquarium Brooklyn, New York, USA

Innovative behavior training employs “the learning [procedure] by which an animal is selectively reinforced for performing behaviors as a result of an experimental or self-inventive process. In 2011, the animal care staff at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium began to train novel behaviors to a Pacific female walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) utilizing a discriminative stimulus (SD). The training was implemented as a means to enhance the enrichment and mental stimulation already provided in the Aquarium’s animal training sessions. The Aquarium staff believed “Kulusiq” would benefit from the addition of a creative or innovative behavior training paradigm, due to her curiosity, demonstrated enthusiasm to learn, and her apparent propensity to seek attention from conspecifics, as well as trainers outside of sessions.

Aquarium staff utilized shaping through pairing to condition the innovative behavior. A training plan was devised, working the behavior with Kulusiq twice a day, five days a week. Staff began the training process of pairing of three previously established behaviors with a new SD. The initial goal was to elicit one of three preselected behavioral responses. Additional pairings with the new SD were implemented as sessions progressed.

Within months, Kulusiq jumped ahead of the training plan. In response to the Innovative SD, she began offering previously trained behaviors that had not yet been added to her innovative program. She also began to chain a variety of behaviors from her repertoire. Additionally, she began to offer novel behaviors. She presented these novel behaviors during sessions in which she was also offering previously established behaviors. The primary trainer encouraged novel behaviors using high magnitude of reinforcement, and through this reinforcement schedule, these novel behaviors were captured. Her behavioral repertoire has increased 25% over time, as a result of capturing from innovative training.

Since the start of the innovative training program, Kulusiq’s attention and engagement with staff has increased during sessions. She is also showing increased interest in trainers outside of training sessions, and offers novel behaviors without any primary reinforcement. Additionally, stereotypic behavior that she has displayed in the past is significantly decreased during sessions in which innovative behavior is included.


30 Proceedings 2015 / Abstracts

FORMAL ABSTRACTS

MONDAY, 28 SEPTEMBERWHAT CAN AN AMAZON RIVER DOLPHIN BE TRAINED TO DO?Sandy A. Tassi Kremer, Quistococha Zoo, Iquitos, Perú

In February of 2013, Quistococha Zoo started to work with Huayrurin, one of four Amazon River dolphin (Inia geofrensis) in captivity in the world. Huayrurin has been housed since 2006 alone in Quistococha Zoo and had never been trained before. He was suffering several cutaneous injuries in the mouth, penis and spiracle because of lack of stimulation, stress and poor water quality.

Two main objectives were set prior to developing a training plan for Huayrurin. The first was to create a training program to decrease stress and improve mental and physical heath. The second goal was to use operant conditioning and positive reinforcement to allow us to perform daily husbandry and medical care procedures.

To reach these goals a consistent training plan was created and implemented without almost any information about how to train an Amazon River dolphin. This plan included, changing the variety and amount of food, establishing new training/feeding times, using trainer-dolphin water interaction to create a strong bond and conditioning the foundational behaviors of bridge and targeting. A specific trainer’s whistle was used as a bridge to tell the dolphin that it has just done the right thing and a reward is coming. The training plan was based in the use of positive reinforcement training to build trust and bond with the animal, and to encourage the desired behaviors. Most of the complex behaviors were taught by using shaping by reinforcement of successive approximation and captured techniques. Time outs were used to reduce undesirable behaviors and food was used as a primary reinforcer.

The results of two years of training allowed us to learn more about the behavior of this particular species. How they learn and their capability in training activities. This work also supports the notion that Amazon River dolphin are very intelligent in contrast to the theory that these animals are not very trainable. This dolphin has learned more than twenty different behaviors and furthermore their respective verbal and signs commands.

CAN MR. MANATEE TURN RIGHT? YES HE CAN!Ming Ying HsiehFarglory Ocean Park, Hualien, Taiwan

Our one and only West African Manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) arrived 11 years ago. He developed a stereotypic behavior of circling to the left to the degree that when viewed from above, his body is slightly curved to the left when he rested. Because of this, we began conditioning him to turn right. We combined luring, targeting, and a pivoting exercises to help him develop the muscles required to make right turns. After a few months of training, we started seeing him circling to the right on his own. His body is not crooked anymore and muscles required for turning have developed, increasing our training options with him.

31Proceedings 2015 / Abstracts

FORMAL ABSTRACTS

MONDAY, 28 SEPTEMBERUSING OPERANT CONDITIONING TO DECREASE THE FREQUENCY OF AN INTRINSICALLY MOTIVATING BEHAVIORJoshua Suggs, Valarie GreeneSeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, Florida, USA

Intrinsic motivation is defined as the performance of an activity for its inherent satisfactions rather than for some separable consequence (Ryan and Deci, 2000). Extrinsic motivation is the idea that an activity is performed in order to attain some separable outcome (Ryan and Deci, 2000). In 1949, Harry Harlow was first to define intrinsic motivation in non-human animals. During his behavior studies with rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), Harlow observed the primates solving puzzles without any expectation of reward (Green 2010). Operant theory maintains that behavior is motivated by rewards. With intrinsically motivated behaviors, the reward can be the behavior itself. Animal trainers use the terminology “intrinsically reinforcing” when it is assumed that an animal finds a behavior, an object, or a particular environment inherently reinforcing. Animal trainers can utilize this behavior to reinforce a correct response.

So what happens when an intrinsically motivated behavior is incompatible with the target behavior in a behavioral plan? Rebel, a six-year-old Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea) weighing seven pounds, appeared to find the behavior of chewing small objects to be intrinsically reinforcing, thereby affecting the training of a prop carry behavior. During training, Rebel became possessive over the object itself and the chewing increased. This paper will explore the successes and challenges of using operant conditioning to decrease the occurrence of the intrinsically reinforcing behavior of chewing in an Asian small-clawed otter.

THEIR NUMBER WAS UP: TRAINING AND INSIGHTS OF WORKING SEMI & FREE CONTACT WITH MALE CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS RESCUED FROM THE BONNEVILLE DAMMadelynn Hettiger 1*, Ken Ramirez 2

1John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois, USA2Karen Pryor Clicker Training, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA

The Bonneville Dam sea lion story is not new to our community. IMATA itself has been highly involved at times as a behavior consultant for this issue. In 2008 Shedd Aquarium underwent a massive renovation. One of the many goals of this renovation was to be able to provide space to rescued California sea lions including potentially larger males. In 2009 we received the call that several California sea lions, removed from the Bonneville Dam, had met the criteria for euthanasia.

We were able to provide homes for two of these animals. In 2012 we rescued yet another. This presentation will focus on the care and training of working with adult intact male California Sea Lions from protected to semi and free contact training. This presentation will also focus on the impact these animals have on conservation messaging with other facilities and with our guests.


FORMAL ABSTRACTS

MONDAY, 28 SEPTEMBERCARING FOR RESCUED CALIFORNIA SEA LION (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS) PUPS: THE REALITIES, THE CHALLENGES AND THE REWARDSNicole K Enright 1, Mark A Halladay 1, Jill L Borger-Turner 1,2

1Dolphins Plus Bayside, Key Largo, FL, USA2Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miami, FL, USA

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) recently declared a California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) Unusual Mortality Event (UME) (NOAA Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources, 2015), with over 2,700 animals, predominantly pups and yearlings, reported stranded between January and April, 2015 (NOAA Fisheries, West Coast Region, 2014). As rescue facilities become overwhelmed, the critical role of zoological facilities in this crisis is increasing. Dolphins Plus Bayside acquired two, juvenile, male sea lions in 2013 after they stranded twice and were deemed non-releasable by NOAA, NMFS.

Integrating wild animals into a zoological facility comes with many, unique challenges and rewards. Some of the behavioral and health challenges included old, internal injuries that remained undiagnosed until strategic testing, mouthing, biting, rushing, environmental sensitization, stereotypies, and fear. Since these were naïve, wild animals, with no data regarding their individual learning histories, there were also significant training and behavior modification challenges. These included learning to consume non-living prey delivered by hand, conditioning the bridge, training foundation behaviors (e.g. target, hold), conditioning secondary reinforcers, desensitization training, and maintaining staff safety. Some of the strategies utilized to mitigate these issues included specific and repeated diagnostics (e.g. radiographs), regular desensitization training, obtaining weights frequently and diet management, the planned use and delivery of secondary reinforcers within specific reinforcement schedules, understanding and utilizing Herrnstein’s matching law, and the strategic application of differential reinforcement. The opportunity to observe the sea lions progress through basic milestones and eventually thrive was uniquely and exceptionally rewarding.

To date, there is little to no information available to zoological facilities considering providing permanent homes to young, wild, non-releasable sea lions, and some of the issues identified at Dolphins Plus are unique to this demographic. Given the current UME, the likelihood of zoological facility involvement in providing assistance and long-term care is increasing. Thus, we hope this information can serve as a growing database of the relevant challenges and strategies as part of a unified effort to better prepare our industry to provide world-class responses and care.

ReferencesNOAA Fisheries, Office of Protected Resources (2015) 2013-2015 California Sea Lion Unusual Mortality Event in California. Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/californiasealions2013.htm

NOAA Fisheries, West Coast Region (2015) 2015 Elevated California Sea Lions Strandings in California: FAQs. Retreived April 2, 2015, from http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/mediacenter/faq_2015_ca_sea_lion_strandings.pdf


FORMAL ABSTRACTS

MONDAY, 28 SEPTEMBERUSHAKA SEA WORLD SEAL REHABILITATION AND THE INTRODUCTION OF SATELLITE TRACKING. Colette Bodenstaff*uShaka Sea World, Durban, South Africa

uShaka Sea World has been involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of many seals found on the Kwa-Zulu Natal coastline since 1977. Species that Sea World has dealt with include South African fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus), numerous sub-Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis), one Crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophagus) and Southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina).

Sea World records suggest that eight elephant seals have graced Kwa-Zulu Natal shores between 1982 and 2013. The eighth elephant seal was found in Southbroom in June 2013. He was estimated at 18 months of age and grossly underweight. He was named Selso and remained at uShaka Sea World for seven months of rehabilitation.

Selso provided a unique opportunity to study the movement of a southern elephant seal post rehabilitation and release off South Africa. This was a ground breaking collaborative effort by DEA, Oceans and Coasts, PE Museum, University of Pretoria and uShaka Sea World.

Selso’s story was also the catalyst in satellite tagging three rehabilitated sub-Antarctic fur seals in the same year and planned tagging projects for the next five years.

Unbelievably, after ten months at sea, Selso came ashore in Port Elizabeth and valuable data was downloaded from the satellite tag. The satellite tag was refurbished and Selso was released a second time with the same tag. This presentation will document Selso’s amazing journey and the important questions and information as a result.

THE USE OF OPERANT CONDITIONING IN THREE AUSTRALIAN PELICANS (PELECANUS CONSPICILLATUS) A.P. HENRIQUES NETO, F. PAGLIA, L. DE SANCTIS, A. FIORITO, L. FIORUCCI, F. GRANDE, M. KANELLOPULOS, I. MELLIZoomarine Italia, Pomezia (Rome), Italy

Since 2012 Zoomarine Italy hosts three Australian Pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus). The Zoomarine training program allows the cooperation between animals, trainers and veterinarians ensuring high standard of animal welfare. Using operant conditioning based on positive reinforcement, birds can be trained to voluntarily participate in husbandry behaviors thus avoiding or minimizing stressful circumstances. Relationship and trust that you can achieve with the animals under human care are the most important basis for a successful training program. Thanks to this successful training program we improved the quality of management of our pelicans and in addition we include these results in an educational presentation for our public.


FORMAL ABSTRACTS

TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBERSHAPE AND COLOR DISCRIMINATION AND MATCH TO SAMPLE TRAINING IN GENTOO PENGUINS (PYGOSCELIS PAPUA)Paola Cuevas *, Anna Pauline Svensson *Snow Penguins, Skidubai, Dubai U.A.E.

With the objective of mental stimulation as enrichment and to establish the basis of behavioral training for future research; we implemented discrimination training with some of our Gentoo penguins. This basic training establishes the beginning of a work in progress where we plan to carry out research on the cognition abilities and visual capacity of Gentoo penguins.

Together with our feathered buddies we aim to engage in a journey of discovery with many possible questions including: Are the actual theories of color perception based on the study of receptor cells of the penguin retina supported or refuted by their behavior? Are penguins able to generalize and associate geometrical shapes of different sizes, presented at different angles and further, are they able to associate a three dimensional object with a two dimensional picture of that same object? Are the penguins able to do categorization of objects represented in a two dimensional image?

Four of our Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) where involved in this project. All the training took place in one to one sessions and in different locations at the Ski Dubai facility. Laminated papers with printed two dimensional images of black and white geometrical shapes (a circle a triangle and a square.) and colored squares of the three basics colors (yellow, blue and red) were used. The birds were trained to discriminate shapes and colors.

The Penguins soon learned to discriminate between the different shapes and colors. They even proved to be able to generalize when later in the training larger versions of the shapes and colors where used. Our aim here was make the training more visually attractive for public and to integrate the behavior in our interactions.

The process has proved not only enriching for the penguins, but also for us the trainers and our visitors. We have experienced an amazing response integrating the discrimination behaviors to our encounter programs and public presentations. Our animals have shown an increase in motivation levels and our trained behavioral repertory has grown. This has provided us with a greater range of possibilities to maintain the variability in our sessions whilst improving mental stimulation to our penguins. The motivation towards learning was even seen in those penguins refusing to eat due to early moult but still willing to participate in the training sessions with the shapes and color.


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NEW IDEA FOR PENGUINS TRANSPORT IN OCEAN PARK HONG KONGFrank Chau*, Gavin Fong* Ocean Park Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China

Ocean Park Hong Kong is located at the southern side of Hong Kong Island, and is sub-divided into separate geographic areas known as the Summit (headland) and Waterfront (lowland). The Park maintains a population of 97 penguins including 75 Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua), 13 Rockhopper (Eudyptes spp.) and 9 King (Aptenodytes patagonicus) penguins at its South Pole attraction located at the Summit. From 5 January to 16 February 2015, the park undertook facility and life-support system optimization work that involved closing the exhibit and temporarily relocating the penguins to other holding facilities located at the Waterfront. The two facilities are about 4km apart by road.

Traditional transport methods involve penguins being kept inside small kennels, which in our view adds unnecessary stress to the birds and is also time consuming, requiring significant manual handling work. The Park introduced a transport method for short distance road transports using a Giant snow-covered chute, which allowed the penguins to walk with their acquainted companions to the refrigerated transport vehicle and large snow covered corral. The idea helped the birds to move freely within a comfortable boundary during transport and mitigate stress during the 4 kilometer journey. With this method, the Park successfully relocated all 97 penguins between the facilities in a relaxed and efficient way.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVER - SWIMMING WITH ANTARCTIC PENGUINS: WHY NOT? TRAINING THE FIRST SUBZERO PENGUIN INTERACTION PROGRAM OF ITS KIND…..IN THE WATER! Sarah Pillay*, Diego Cecilio Snowpenguins at Ski Dubai, Dubai, UAE

Ski Dubai already has a very popular penguin encounter program where guests can chose from a range of different encounters and experience a ‘hands on’ personal interaction with our King and Gentoo penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus, Pygoscelis papua). After working with marine mammals, the trainers at Ski Dibai have always looked for new challenges and opportunities to prove that penguins have as much exhibition and educational value to their mammalian counterparts. So we came up with the idea of introducing a swimming program where guests are able to join the birds in their pool. The initial desensitizing was done with the trainers going into the water to feed the penguins. Anyone who works with these birds will know that a penguins’ “safe” place is the water so training them to accept guests posed something of a challenge. This program has quickly become one the penguins’ favorite activities as they are now offering the guests the opportunity to touch and hug them in the water. This paper will describe the steps we took to train the penguins and how it has evolved from a simple swimming program into an interactive and increasingly popular and unique encounter for our guests


FORMAL ABSTRACTS

TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBERHEY, IS SHE SMILING AT ME? SEARCHING FOR SMILES OF DOLPHINSSatoru YamamotoAwashima Marine Park, Numazu, Shizuoka Perfecture, Japan

The one important goal of animal trainers is to develop mutual trust and positive social relationship with their animals. But how can we accomplish this difficult task? Surely, it is crucial trainers provide clear and easy to understand training to his/her animals. Also, trainers must be able to give a positive reinforcer precisely and appropriately. Are these all we need to do? No, these are not enough.

Animal trainers dream to be able to communicate with their animals to some degree and many scientists are interested in symbolic communication abilities of animals to prove the animals’ sophisticated cognitive capability. But there is one very important thing to be able to communicate with animals. It is emotion. Without understanding of the other’s emotion, it is almost impossible to develop social relationship and communicate. There is no doubt that, at least, mammals and birds have some emotions. During training animals, we trainers often feel and believe that our animals are feeing happy. But on what bases can we justify our beliefs? Surprisingly, no one knows how dolphins, sea lions, and seals smile.

In this presentation I will 1) quickly review emotional system of animals, 2) explain some important aspects of emotion related with animal training, 3) suggest application of emotional communication with animals for their training. I also propose active involvement of scientists in our animal training. Rather than providing research opportunities to scientist, we should utilize scientists to figure out things which we need to know. Further, we should cooperate with scientists to develop new tools to improve our training. The study of emotion of animals, particularly positive emotion “pleasure or happiness” is one of the most difficult and thus not well explored areas of animal psychology. But it is the time we face the happy smile of our animals.


FORMAL ABSTRACTS

TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER“WHAT’S THAT YOU SAY?” USING VERBAL COMMUNICATION WITH ATLANTIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINSJamie P. Stevens*, Jennifer M. Erb*, Linda S. Erb, Armando “Mandy” RodriguezDolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, Florida, USA

As marine mammal trainers, we are constantly communicating with our animals. The majority of this communication is done through hand signals, with the animals constantly watching our movements and behavior. As a result, our marine mammal friends become experts on our body language and much more.

According to the Association of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) can hear in the range of 75 to 150,000 Hz and humans vocalize in the range of 100 to 10,000 Hz. With this information it is known that dolphins can hear what we say, but can they understand what we are saying? At Dolphin Research Center (DRC), in Grassy Key, FL, we have observed behavior that appears to show that they do understand at least some of what we are saying.

The culture at DRC has always been for staff to talk to the dolphins, not using baby-talk, but with articulate words and phrases. As people go about their day, they call the dolphins by name; stop to say hello, etc. In sessions the trainers began by pairing a specific word with a hand signal, then one day randomly asking for the behavior using the verbal signal on its own. We have found many of the dolphins have transferred the behavior to the verbal signal even when trainers do not use the hand signal. We can now ask for multiple behaviors just by using verbal communication.

Not only are verbal cues used as signals for behaviors, they are an essential part of reinforcement for the dolphins. Getting excited for the dolphins and praising them when they return after being bridged for a behavior, gets the dolphins excited as well. Some of the dolphins know the word “good” as a bridge. We do not use the word “good” often as a bridge but when we do there is a noticeable understanding that they have done the behavior asked.

When first training calves born at DRC we constantly use their names. This has proven to be very beneficial when working with multiple dolphins. Just like humans, it is reinforcing to get recognition. When we use their names they know they are being rewarded and reinforced for what we have asked them to do. When working with multiple dolphins, we can use their individual names to get their attention and to help with training manners during sessions.

This presentation will discuss the benefits DRC has found by utilizing verbal communication with dolphins. While the evidence is anecdotal in nature, the results are very real. We believe talking to our dolphins improves their understanding in training situations, and strengthens our relationships with them. It fosters our philosophy of showing respect for them as individuals and as a species. DRC guests respond in a very positive manner as well, commenting on the connection between trainers and dolphins.


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TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBERAWARENESS OF CONTROL AS A PRIMARY REINFORCERGabrielle Harris 1*, Frantisek Susta 2

1South African Association for Marine Biological Research, uShaka Sea World2Prague Zoo

When our training does not go according to plan, we problem solve which includes looking at how we have used the reinforcers and schedules of reinforcement that we have consciously chosen. When working with instrumental conditioning, we need to be cognizant of classical conditioning. Primary reinforcement associated with something can result in associations that are not in line with our goals. For example, if the animal is stressed due to his hunger drive, he may associate us with that stress. Our primary reinforcers satisfy biological needs, and therefore are powerful to reinforce behavior that we are conditioning.

One primary reinforcer that does not receive much attention is an animal’s control over its environment. This control is sometimes taken away and then achieved inadvertently and results in powerful behavior change. This is so because if an animal has lost perceived control over a situation, they will have become stressed, and learning in this stressful state is potentially classically conditioned due to the autonomic nervous system taking over. This paper will investigate control as a primary reinforcer. A number of case studies will be outlined to show how behavior problems have been created and solved by providing the animal with control or removing the debate all together. In summary we will outline how stress is generated when an animal loses perceived control over its environment. By maintaining an animal’s perceived ability to choose, we are able to avoid this from occurring.

EXPLORING THE SCIENCE BEHIND ANIMAL ASSISTED INTERVENTIONSCecilia Marré 1*, Teo Mariscal 2 1Corporación Bocalan Confiar, Santiago, Chile2Fundación Bocalán Internacional, Madrid, Spain

Animal Assisted Therapy is a modality of intervention designed to promote improvements in the physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of a person in which animals act as a facilitator of the therapeutic process. Since the 1960s, the incorporation of animals as a supporting component of rehabilitation treatment in different medical areas has been gaining in popularity. Today there is a high degree of professionalization of this modality of therapy. This development is primarily due to the outstanding results obtained during these interventions, either achieving therapeutic goals in less time with greater intensity or in a more pleasant and personal way for those who receive it. There is an ever-increasing variety of species that can participate in these activities. The real question; however, is why an animals can serve as a good therapeutic resource capable of facilitating therapy.

For the public, in general, there is considerable misinformation about the answer to this question. They vary from scientifically based theories to explanations rooted in superstitious or supernatural abilities purporting that animals are able to cure people, especially when referring to dolphins. It is crucial that professionals that work in this field of study fully understand the answer to this question and are capable of correct practical application to yield positive outcomes for our clients.

The purposes of this presentation are to explore the justification of using an animal as a highly effective therapeutic resource and to highlight important behavioral principles that need to be applied correctly to maximize results.


FORMAL ABSTRACTS

WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBERINNOVATIVE TRAINING APPLICATIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS IN A NATURAL ENVIRONMENTJessica D’Ascanio*, Sylvia Rickett, Cheryl Messinger, Doug MessingerDolphin Connection, Duck Key, Florida, USA

The training of husbandry behaviors has been a staple of our profession for decades. Historically, voluntary blood sampling in dolphins was documented as early as 1964, and has since progressed to include amazingly advanced medical procedures through the trusting relationships we have built with our animals. Although husbandry training is nothing new, at Dolphin Connection we decided to take a new look at some of our tried and true husbandry behaviors to determine if there was any room for advancement. What did we find? There is always room for improvement!

With dolphin welfare, health and safety as our first and foremost concern, Dolphin Connection has spent the last several years re-examining and improving our most important husbandry behaviors in the following ways:

• We transformed our traditional ultrasound layouts to allow for extended periods of stabilization with little to no effort on the part of the staff or the dolphins.

• Using the extended stabilization model, we employed a similar technique which proved valuable during months of nebulizer treatments.

• We modified our group gating behavior into a more flexible and fluid operation where individuals separate from one another and are comfortable utilizing any available holding area.

• We increased the overall safety of our netting procedure by transitioning from an opportunistic scoop to a trained, passive restraint behavior that allows for calm and controlled net maneuvering.

• We improved the efficiency and safety of transporting dolphins from our lagoon through the design and development of an innovative carrier system that can be operated with ease under minimal effort.

Through this paper, Dolphin Connection would like to share some of our unique management techniques, and how we used training, and a little creativity, to improve our operations for the benefit of the dolphins in our care.

FOLLOW ME! USING MIMICRY AND LACTATION REINFORCEMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DESENSITIZATION TRAINING OF A NURSING SEA LION Nahoko Hayashi*, Wayne Phillips, Abel Reyes,Dolphin Adventure, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

Dolphin Adventure conducts its interactive and educational programs in varied environments. From open water dive programs in remote locations to multiple sea lion exhibits, the sea lion populations are conditioned to move from place to place. To facilitate this sometimes difficult desensitization training, training staff used mimicry and controlled lactation opportunities to desensitize a nursing South American sea lion to different environments. The results of this training have led to a very stable individual that has adapted well to all kinds of training scenarios.


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WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBERMENTAL VS. MEDICAL: SMALL FACILITY, LARGE IMPACT, CREATIVE STRATEGY FOR EXPANDING AND IMPLEMENTING ANIMAL HUSBANDRY WITH LIMITED RESOURCESCynthia Henderson*, Ricardo RuizOnmega Dolphin Park, Marmaris, Turkey

Onmega Dolphin Park is located in Marmaris, Turkey. It is a natural environment dolphinarium that currently houses a population consisting of five Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), two of them females and three males of various ages and training levels. Each animal clearly displayed several undesired conducts e.g. strong refusal and avoidance especially towards previously trained husbandry behaviors due previous aversive conditioning stimuli record. For the last 4 years, every member of the training team pursued the same goal trying to increase the welfare of our animals using positive conditioning techniques to retrain the dolphins consistently. The main challenge was the lack of consistent effectiveness in required husbandry practices and a Preventative Medical Training Program (PMTP). We mainly focused in the development of trust based bonds among the population and with the trainers, introducing a strong socialization program as well as increasing the positive association of the training team members, achieving a high comfort level while performing husbandry behavior training and during procedures in real situations. This allowed us to concentrate all efforts in our PMTP methods, implementing solid desensitization and trust foundation mentioned below:

1. Extinguish aversive responses while working on generalized positive stimulus.2. Extensive desensitization of a wide variety of stimulus.3. Decrease or avoid physical manipulation.4. Train 100 % voluntary responses5. Avoid involuntary sampling or medical treatment.6. Teach all necessary PMTP behaviors to every member of the population.7. Keep “positive notes” with successful reinforcers and use redirection techniques.8. Set the animal to succeed, looking to elicit proactive responses due the use of positive training techniques.

As a result we experienced success when observed the animal’s willingness to cooperate increasing, giving the trainers the chance to acquire knowledge teaching basic and advanced medical behaviors with consistent response and solid criteria, extinguishing behavioral problems such as avoidance, refusal and aversion, despite aspects such as age, level of conditioning or character of the individual. Through our PMTP we diminished the stress levels of the animals allowing us to complete a variety of voluntary medical behaviors such as samplings, ultrasounds, endoscopies, intramuscular injections and esophagus tactile exploration, or complex procedures such as a full voluntary insemination process, in addition to increase the Staff´s safety avoiding the use of nets during maneuvers and instead handling them with a voluntary stranding. The implementation of this program led us to become the first facility in Turkey to have an exceptional PMTP and allows for the setting of guidelines and standards for other facilities within Turkey and Russia.


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WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBERTRAINING RAM VENTILATING SHARKS FOR STATIONING BEHAVIORSMichelle Y. Crosetto DVM 1*, Eric Bogden 2

1Shark Reef, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA2Dolphin Cove, Ochos Rios, Jamaica

Ram ventilation is a specific method of respiration employed by numerous fish, including Bonnethead Sharks (Sphyrna tiburo), which have a reduced, to zero ability to pump water buccally to maintain ventilation. This method of respiration is achieved via swimming with mouth open, such that water flows through the mouth and across the gills. These animals are generally considered ‘obligate swimmers’ with the inability to stop for husbandry or other trained procedures. As such, shark conditioning has historically be centered on non-obligate ram ventilators, such as Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) or Zebra Sharks (Stegostoma fasciatum). Our goal was to condition a group of adolescent Bonnethead Sharks to station and accept tactile stimulation for future behaviors, including husbandry procedures.Using operant conditioning, similar to that employed throughout the marine mammal industry, our sharks were taught to slow, and eventually stop in front of their trainer. Simultaneously, we began introducing tactile stimulation desensitization. We also used a portable air pump to reduce any stress that may be experienced with lack of respiration due to reduced water flow.

The combination of stopping and accepting tactile stimulation has allowed us to voluntarily restrain these animals for future husbandry procedures. The use of the portable air pump allows us to lengthen procedure time past what may be considered safe otherwise. While ram ventilator sharks have special considerations that should be accounted for, these animals should not be overlooked for conditioned behaviors. Conditioning an animal to stop and accept tactile stimulation not only reduces stress on the animal, but also improves our staff’s ability to manage our collection. We hope that the presentation of this paper will encourage other facilities to consider expanding conditioning programs with ram ventilating animals.

THERE’S NO STOPPING US RIGHT NOWJan Czaja* and Victoria Ferraro*Discovery Cove, Orlando, Florida, USA

When operant conditioning is discussed, it is usually in reference to mammals, but when aquarists with animal training backgrounds and a passion for creating memorable guest interactions with fish started thinking outside of the bubbles, they headed on a training adventure that they never thought was possible. This particular story started in 2012 when Discovery Cove Aquarists noticed that one of the rooster hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) seemed especially interested in the SeaVenture helmet dive experience. Without any prior positive reinforcement, the fish followed the guest tours and was attentive with the divers. The staff decided that this fish’s interactive nature made him the ideal candidate for an underwater animal interaction training program. This particular animal showed them what the potential could be for training in fish. The use of operant conditioning with this fish spawned a wave of animal interactions within the Discovery Cove Aquarium Department. Over the last two years, aquarists have embarked on training journeys with multiple teleost and elasmobranch species. Through these training programs, aquarists bridged the gap between Discovery Cove guests and animals, providing more up close and personal interactions that connect and inspire guests for a lifetime.


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WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBERIMPROVING ANIMAL WELLNESS AND GUEST EXPERIENCE THROUGH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND SECONDARY REINFORCERS WITH A GOLIATH GROUPER (EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA)Juliane Nylund 1*, Melissa Robertson 1, Rachel Serafin 1, Amy Slagoski 1

Thad Lacinak 2*, Angi Millwood 2

1The Florida Aquarium, Tampa, Florida, USA2Precision Behavior, Merritt Island, Florida, USA

Critically endangered goliath groupers (Epinephelus itajara) are an important species to represent from a conservation perspective in aquaria. Cleatus, one of The Florida Aquarium’s original residents, was less than two feet long when he peered out at his first admirers from behind the acrylic wall of the exhibit that would become his home. Two decades later, Cleatus is an impressive fish at over three hundred pounds and more than five feet in length.

The primary behavioral goals for the goliath grouper were to teach the fish basic behaviors to facilitate his daily care and to provide Cleatus with appropriate mental stimulation. The aquarium also sought to alter the mindset of guests who most frequently responded to viewing the grouper with the comment, “I bet he’d taste good.”

In a short time, Cleatus was eagerly participating in targeting sessions at the surface. During conversations about training progress, it was revealed that biologists had sprinkled sand on the grouper while cleaning his exhibit in the past and he hadn’t retreated from it. This posed a new question. Would a grouper respond well to secondary reinforcers? To our delight, when biologists entered his enclosure with dive gear to shower him with sand and blow air bubbles in his mouth, he began displaying a posture associated with wrasse cleaning stations that groupers encounter in the wild. These secondary reinforcers were then used to station the grouper to specific locations within his exhibit and to reinforce him for targeting at the surface, providing needed variety.

The benefits of a training regime for the grouper were many. Past aggressive and fearful displays from Cleatus ceased and he began exhibiting excited and/or anticipatory behavior whenever novel stimuli were presented. The program has improved his overall visibility in his exhibit; aquarium visitors are impressed with his prowess of learning and with the interest he displays toward his caretakers; and his activity level and food consumption have both increased. Beyond providing for the animal’s basic needs, this program gives Cleatus opportunities to think, just as wild grouper use skills and adaptations to meet their daily needs. And best of all, during training sessions, no visitor looks a Cleatus and thinks simply of a grouper sandwich.


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WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBERCOMBINING OPERANT CONDITIONING AND OUR OWN CREATIVE ENGINEERING TO DEVELOP HUSBANDRY BEHAVIORS WITH A 350 POUND, FIVE-FOOT-WIDE ROUGHTAIL RAY (DASYATIS CENTROURA) Nicole Ethier*, Cristina Mendonca New York Aquarium, Brooklyn, New York, USA

The New York Aquarium animal care team, consisting of aquarists and marine mammal trainers, has collaborated on efforts to establish a training program with our sharks and sea turtles since 2012. In the summer of 2013, we also began a training program with “Ray Charles”, our Roughtail ray (Dasyatis centroura) who is at least 35 years old. Ray shared her pool with three nurse sharks and four sea turtles, all of whom tended to leave their trainers to disrupt Ray’s training sessions. Their interference prompted the staff to employ a variety of techniques to enable Ray to work with us, uninterrupted by the other animals. Initially she learned to eat from a net lowered to her at the bottom of the pool. Over the course of the next two years we have progressed to the point where she now hand-feeds, while sitting in a specially designed stretcher at the surface. Most recently, we have desensitized Ray to husbandry behaviors that have been critical to monitoring and maintaining her health.

In this presentation, we will share the techniques we have used to train Ray to station in a stretcher and allow blood draws, tail manipulation, and topical medication application. We will also share our plans to train Ray and her cohabitants for the multiple transports that will be happening over the next few years, as we open the Aquarium’s newest exhibit, “Ocean Wonders: SHARKS!”.


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THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBERHUMOR, TIMING, PACE, AND BEHAVIORS: EMPLOYING HIGH PRODUCTION VALUE TO SHARE OUR MESSAGEMartha Hiatt and Cristina Mendonca* New York Aquarium, Brooklyn, New York, USA

Formal shows are one of the most popular attractions at zoos and aquariums. Production staffs work hard at providing memorable experiences for guests, and employ various methodologies to do so. Some emphasize entertainment, while others take a more educational approach. Other parks emphasize the relationship between the animals and their trainers. All approaches have important merit—it is up to the trainers and the park’s management to decide which will best serve the needs of our guests, our facility, our animals, and our mission.

The training staff at the New York Aquarium, a Wildlife Conservation Society park(WCS), has put a great deal of thought into what and how we communicate with our audiences, and we face a number of challenges. We must balance entertainment with our obligation as members of WCS to educate guests about species and ecosystems, promote conservation, and encourage good stewardship of the planet. We must compete with numerous other entertainment opportunities in New York City, one of the world’s cultural centers, which means we must maintain high production value. New York is home to an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse population, requiring us to connect meaningfully with a very wide variety of people. We also must address the increasing amount of anti-public display propaganda to which many of our guests are bombarded, and we need to do so in ways that do not appear defensive or self-promoting. Most importantly, we need to make every show a positive and stimulating experience for the animals. And one more thing, we need to do it all in about 20 minutes.

Through careful planning, and trial and error, we have developed a show style that meets all of these requirements. This presentation shares the ways we have found to satisfy all of our goals, and create a production that benefits our guests, our organization, and our animals.


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THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBERTHE SHAMU CONNECTION: CONNECTING CLASSROOMS AROUND THE WORLD VIA LIVE VIDEO CONNECTIONJoseph Sanchez*, Kristen McMahon-Van Oss*, Kelly Flaherty-ClarkSeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, Florida, USA

As social media evolves it brings zoos and aquariums an amazing opportunity to offer animal presentations in classrooms around the world. At the end of 2014, SeaWorld Orlando introduced an interactive outreach program called the “Shamu Connection” to inspire students and teachers around the world. The program allows animal trainers and other animal professionals to offer students and faculty a new perspective of killer whale care at SeaWorld. This program is designed to connect students with killer whales and trainers via live video feed in a fun, educational format that showcases the truth around caring for them. During collaboration with the SeaWorld education department, four core ideas were decided upon to be demonstrated in the 30 minute presentation. They are husbandry training, behavior modification, environmental enrichment and individual relationship.

The intent of this program is to spread our knowledge gained from killer whales in our care to students and teachers around the world. Through these “up close”, in classroom, live video connections we promote conservation for not only killer whales but all the animals that inhabit our oceans worldwide. With the zoological community’s ongoing commitment to celebrate, connect and care for our natural world, we hope that zoos and marine parks around the world will follow suit and influence students and teachers from all over the globe.

UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF MARINE MAMMAL FACILITIES IN TODAY’S CONSERVATION LANDSCAPE: ANSWERING THE ACTIVISTS’ CLAIMSKelly JaakkolaDolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, Florida, USA

Over the last few years, the debate surrounding the issue of cetaceans in human care has grown increasingly more prominent. In the wake of Blackfish, activists are more vocal with their accusations that cetaceans fare poorly in marine mammal facilities, and well-intentioned, but misinformed members of the public are hearing these claims and becoming concerned. It is essential that the marine mammal community answer these accusations head-on. It is also imperative to add to the growing discussion regarding ways of using data to combat activists’ claims.

It is universally acknowledged that the biggest threat to marine mammals today are human beings -- whether directly through harassment and killing, or indirectly through the many human practices that impact the environment in which they live (e.g., over-fishing, pollution, and so forth). And because humans are the problem, it is imperative that we look for ways for humans to bring about the needed solutions. Marine mammal parks and aquariums perform two critical roles in this endeavor. First, they provide the opportunity for research and expertise with marine mammals in a way that is impossible to achieve in the wild. The knowledge gained from these facilities helps scientists correctly interpret studies of wild behavior, and directly informs conservation and rescue efforts. Second, these facilities provide a forum for the general public to directly experience marine mammals, learn about the challenges they face in the wild, and make the emotional connections necessary to inspire conservation-mindedness. Of course, from an ethical standpoint, any such benefits to research, education, and conservation -- no matter how great -- must also be carefully weighed against any potential cost to the animals that might be brought about by housing them in such facilities. To that end, I will discuss current data on animal training practices, behavior, and life expectancy in marine mammal facilities, in order to better inform the debate surrounding these issues.


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THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBERIT’S A ZOO OUT THERE: CREATING MARINE CONSERVATION IMPACTS THROUGH ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTION AND ANIMAL INVOLVEMENTHeather L. Crane*, Sophia M. Darling*Houston Zoo Inc., Houston, Texas, USA

Just as many other facilities are becoming more involved in conservation efforts every year, the Houston Zoo has pledged to make conservation involvement a priority. Historically, zoos have not been in the forefront of the marine mammal industry; the focus often lies in the lions, tigers, and bears…. oh my! However, over the course of the past year, the sea lion team at the Houston Zoo has started stepping out of those stereotypes, and is working towards putting the Houston Zoo on the map for marine conservation. These efforts are magnified by zoo resources and the ability to reach large audiences to which compelling marine conservation messages can be delivered. With these resources made available to us, combined with the outstanding ambassador personalities of our California sea lions, the Houston Zoo sea lion team has built, from the ground up, a conservation initiative that is already spreading through Texas.

This year the sea lion department has added to the existing Houston Zoo conservation programs by taking action to reduce monofilament and marine debris, partnering with National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration in creating ex-situ conservation action. Here at the zoo, we have re-designed our presentations to educate and inspire guests to join us in our fight for marine conservation and cleaning up the Galveston Bay.

We want to give marine conservation a primary presence in the zoo world; a presence that we feel has been under represented. Our goal is to reach an extensive audience by strengthening the relationship between marine conservation and zoos, using both in-situ and ex-situ methods. It is our hope to share our conservation project model, which magnifies the efforts of a small team, as a resource to take on large conservation efforts.


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THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBERESTIMATING THE AEROBIC DIVE LIMIT OF SOUTH AMERICAN SEA LIONS (OTARIA FLAVESCENS)Madeleine Arencibia* 1, Paul Jobsis 1, Shannon Atkinson 2, R. Lee Kellar 3

1University of the Virgin Islands, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands2University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA3Coral World Ocean Park, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Marine mammals in under human care provide an opportunity to collect metabolic rate (MR) and aerobic dive limit (ADL) data on species where limited data from wild populations are available. By studying South American sea lions at Coral World in St. Thomas, U.S. Vigin Islands, the MR and ADL were determined for the species. The MR was determined through oxygen consumption measurements and oxygen stores were calculated using collected data and estimates from literature. Preliminary data collection yielded a MR of 3.63 mL/kg/min, and an ADL of 11.78 minutes (more than double the predicted ADL). This MR will help to improve the husbandry of these animals and the ADL will allow constraints on the natural diving behavior to be better predicted.

COOPERATIVE INVESTIGATION INTO DECOMPRESSION STRESS IN STELLER SEA LIONS (EUMETOPIAS JUBATUS)Troy Neale*, Nigel Waller, Danielle HysonVancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Since 1993, the Vancouver Aquarium and the University of British Columbia have jointly operated a research program dedicated to understanding the 80% population decline of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) over the last 30 years in the North Pacific Ocean. As a part of this program, the consortium has collaborated with researchers worldwide. Over the last three years, working with a group of scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and Texas A&M, the Vancouver Aquarium’s open water trained Steller sea lions participated in the first ever attempt to investigate decompression stress in free diving marine mammals. In order to collect sufficient data, 0.4 sea lions each participated in anesthetic procedures, voluntary blood draws from the hind flipper, and voluntary ultrasounds over four phases of data collection. This work was all in conjunction with collecting respirometry data while diving and foraging at 50m as well as active swimming trials for comparison, each for 30 minutes in an open water setting. At the end of these research trials, the animals were then loaded back onto our transport boat and returned to their holding pens for post-trial data collection. The animals were under behavioral control for upwards of 120 minutes for each research session. Previous to this study these animals had never been trained for voluntary bloods. With just over a month of prep time and multiple samples needing to be collected per day, training staff were forced to overcome some great challenges. Through the collaboration process with the international researchers on this intensive project, there were numerous successes including some unexpected and surprising results.


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THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBERCOMBINING VIDEO, ACCELEROMETRY AND ACOUSTICS TO STUDY MOVEMENTS AND ROUTINES OF CAPTIVE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS)Patrícia Rachinas-Lopes 1,2*, Vítor B. Paixão 1, Ricardo Ribeiro 1, Márcia Neto 3, ElsaQuintino 3, Manuel E. dos Santos 2, Rui M. Costa 1

1Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, Lisboa, Portugal2ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisboa, Portugal3Zoomarine Algarve, Mundo Aquático,S. A., Albufeira, Portugal

To better understand the behavioral repertoire of bottlenose dolphins, this project is developing a non-subjective behavior quantitative classification system. Using a pattern recognition algorithm with triaxial accelerometer data to study how behavior transitions occur, it focuses on how these transitions are associated with movements and acoustic behavior. Two bottlenose dolphins were trained to have a waterproof box (containing the accelerometer) attached to their bodies with suction cups, near the dorsal fin. It was critical to the project that the animals were comfortable enough with the equipment to perform their normal daily behavior, and a positive reinforcement strategy was used to desensitize the animals. The subjects could easily remove the equipment, which was a problem in some trials. One of the subjects explored different strategies to detach the equipment while the second animal never tried to remove it. For each session, we were able to collect up to 60 minutes of accelerometer data with both subjects (in two different contexts: alone and with another dolphin in the habitat). However, trial duration was highly dependent of the animal’s mood. A total of 9 hours were collected for each subject (divided into 60 sessions for both animals and contexts). A way to analyze the routines of the animals in the pool has been developed using a tracking system (with three video cameras) to explore the positions of the animals in the habitat and their preferences, which may allow the identification of unusual behaviors or routines in a very early stage. Underwater sound recordings helped to determine periods of activity/inactivity, and the analysis of vocalizations. Preliminary analysis shows no differences in accelerometer measurements in different contexts (alone vs with company) for both animals, although whistle parameters differ depending of the presence or absence of the accelerometer. These analyses may provide insights into the animals’ behavior that could be of used both in the welfare management of captive dolphins and in the understanding of movements of wild cetaceans.


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THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBERC-WELL: THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WELFARE ASSESSMENT INDEX FOR CAPTIVE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS)Isabella L. K. Clegg 1*, Jill L. Borger-Turner 1 and Holli C. Eskelinen 2

1Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Florida, USA2Dolphins Plus, Key Largo, Florida, USA

The field of welfare science and public concern for animal welfare is growing, with the focus broadening from animals on farms to those in zoos and aquariums. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are the most common captive cetaceans, and relevant regulatory standards are principally resource based and regarded as minimum requirements. In this study, the farm animal Welfare Quality® assessment was adapted to measure the welfare of bottlenose dolphins, with a similar proportion of animal-based measures (58.3%). The “C-Well” assessment included 11 criterion and 36 species-specific measures developed in situ at three marine mammal zoological facilities, tested for feasibility and accuracy, and substantiated by published literature on wild and captive dolphins and veterinary and professional expertise. C-Well scores can be calculated for each measure or combined to achieve an overall score, which allows for the comparison of welfare among individuals, demographics, and facilities. This work represents a first step in quantifying and systematically measuring welfare among captive cetaceans and can be used as a model for future development in zoos and aquariums, as well as a means to support benchmarking, industry best practices, and certification.

HAND-RAISING OF A ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHIN NEONATE (STENO BREDANENSIS) AND TRAINING OF THE NURSING BEHAVIOR BETWEEN MOTHER AND CALFSecret Holmes*, Jessica L. AditaysGulf World Marine Park, Panama City Beach, USA

Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach, Florida has maintained the only collection of rough-toothed dolphins under long-term human care since 1996. The current population of 2.3 rough-toothed dolphins has provided valuable information on this little known species in terms of habitat conditions, diet, morphometrics and behavior. In the summer of 2013, one female, Doris, was confirmed pregnant and the growth of the fetus and physical changes of the mother were closely monitored in the following months through voluntary behaviors and observation.

At 5:58pm on 27 June 2014, Doris gave birth to a male calf. During the first twenty-four hour period, Doris exhibited behavior that discouraged the calf from nursing successfully. The decision was made to move Doris and calf to another pool in the park so as to allow access for staff members to begin hand-raising the calf. Over the course of a month, the animal care team worked around the clock to provide the care and training that both Doris and calf required, with the goal of Doris eventually being able to nurse/raise the calf on her own. The within-park transport, nursing behavioral training and information gathered on rough-toothed dolphin milk composition and calf growth and development will be presented.


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FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBERVOLUNTARY TRANSESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC IMAGING OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS AS A SCREENING TEST FOR CARDIAC DISEASE IN ADULT BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINSRice, Katie 2*; Julie Rocho-Levine 1*; Levine, Greg 1; Renner, Michael 4; Eubank, Jason 5; Sklansky, Mark 3

1Dolphin Quest Oahu, The Kahala Hotel & Resort, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA2Dolphin Quest Hawaii, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa, Hawaii, USA3UCLA Children’s Heart Center, Los Angeles, California, USA 4Zoo and Aquatic Veterinary Consulting Services, Jupiter, Florida, USA5Mindray N. America, Mahwah, New Jersey, USA

Heart disease has been identified on necropsy and histopathology of older bottlenose dolphins both in the wild and under human care. Clinical diagnosis of heart disease in dolphins is challenging, and treatment strategies have not been well established. In 2004, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) at Dolphin Quest Oahu (DQO) showed detailed views of the dolphin heart not achievable transthoracically. Those studies involved four bottlenose dolphins under the age of twenty. Ten years later, the goal was to identify baseline echocardiographic parameters for older dolphins, the population most likely affected by degenerative heart disease. To increase the sample size and age ranges of animals studied, trainers from DQO and Dolphin Quest Hawaii (DQH) worked collaboratively with a team of researchers to complete heart exams on nine bottlenose dolphins ranging from 14 to 44 years old. Along with the original four males (previously trained to help develop a safe, reproducible and effective way to perform TEE) five additional animals (3:2), were conditioned for TEE imaging. For the four repeat animals, re-conditioning the breath out and breath hold behavior along with desensitization of the probe in the esophagus was a quick process. Prior history of husbandry behaviors made the desensitization aspect quick and efficient for the animals first learning the behavior.

In order to achieve the cardiac assessments, each dolphin was asked to remain calm in a heads up position while being supported by the trainer who was seated dockside or on a shallow platform in the water. The probe, which is similar to an endoscope insertion tube, was inserted into the esophagus to the level of the heart. Each dolphin was asked to exhale and hold its breath. During the breath hold, an attempt was made to perform a detailed transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation on each dolphin, incorporating 2D, pulsed and color Doppler modalities. In addition to baseline evaluation of cardiac structure, particular attention was paid to elements of cardiac function widely recognized to be reflective of heart failure/pulmonary hypertension in humans. The breath out/breath hold behavior was repeated multiple times without removing the transducer, so multiple examinations could occur without having to replace and reposition the transducer.

The TEE trials resulted in nine animals being examined (7:2) with an age range of 14 to 44 years old. The probe was left in place in the esophagus from 5 to 12 minutes, with breath hold times ranging from 30 to 60 seconds. Dolphins were given the opportunity to take regular breaths between breath hold requests. No sedation was provided and there were no complications. Detailed echocardiographic evaluations were performed on each animal studied. Mild tricuspid and aortic regurgitation was found in several dolphins. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function appeared to be within the normal range seen previously in young, healthy dolphins and humans. No structural abnormalities were noted.

In conclusion, Antemortem diagnosis of dolphin heart disease will enhance our knowledge base, changing the way we care for older dolphins by identifying potentially treatable disease.


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FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBERDAYSI, A DOLPHIN REFUSING MORNING FISH INTAKE: PROCESSES ADDRESSING THIS BEHAVIOR APPLYING OPERANT CONDITIONING TECHNIQUESRicardo Ruiz*, Cynthia Henderson, O’neil WilsonOnmega Dolphin Park, Marmaris Turkey

In 2013, Daysi, an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) suffered a gastric disorder. Daysi’s syptoms included high acidity levels in the stomach and persistent regurgitation preventing us from feeding her before noon. Once prescribed treatment ended, regurgitation and heartburn were controlled by the medical team; however, avoidance of morning intake persisted.

After unsuccessfully trying methods such as 1) changing session’s time and schedule, 2) short positive sessions 3) secondary reinforcers as motivation for eating, and 4) increasing base diet to satiation among others, Onmega’s training staff continued to address this challenge using positive reinforcement. Tools such as alternating LRS and DRI techniques were utilized without modifying the base diet or gastric condition of the dolphin. We eventually obtained gradual recovery morning food intake. This exposition details successful conditioning methods used in this process.

HOW OPERANT CONDITIONING ELIMINATE NETS IN A ONE HOUR DOLPHIN CALF: INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN TO SURVIVALEdgar Urbina, Manuel Garduño, Alex Mata*, Dr. Roberto Sánchez, Silvia Becerra, Félix Osorio, Shelley WoodDolphin Discovery, Cancún, Mexico

On 28 December 2013, at 1 am, Diana, an experienced 25-year-old mother of two, gave birth to her third calf at Dolphin Discovery in Puerto Aventuras. Within 40 minutes after birth the calf´s swimming pattern and low erratic respiration rates indicated a problem. Within the first hour of life the Veterinarians decided to intervene and the calf was pulled for a health assessment. The male calf was diagnosed with a fungal respiratory illness due to his behavior and blood analysis.

The illness required long term multiple daily injectable treatments. Recovery of this illness required the calf be separated from its mother to administer the medical treatment. Before the calf’s first month of age the Veterinarian and Training departments designed and implemented a plan to shift from negative reinforcement separation techniques to voluntary positive reinforcement techniques, thereby allowing the mother to separate herself from the calf and remain calm during the handling of the calf. This plan was implemented to minimize risk of injury and stress for mother, calf and for the attending staff as well. The plan was modified 90 days after birth when medical treatment was changed from injections to oral medications. Operant conditioning techniques were applied to condition calf to eat pieces of fish.

This paper will describe the postpartum protocols and the training techniques applied for handling the calf, administering medications and mother and calf separations.


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FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBERDEVELOPMENT OF A PINNIPED ULTRASONOGRAPHY REFERENCE ATLAS Geraldine Lacave, DVMMarine Mammal Veterinary Services, Brugge, Belgium

The correct application of a diagnostic imaging tool such as ultrasound depends on standardization, documentation and archiving. With the progress of medical training ultrasonography is now included in the regular physical check-ups of sea lions and seals in many facilities but there is still little available references regarding ultrasound in these species. Expected repeatable “normal” images of the different anatomical systems are necessary to be able to recognize and interpret “abnormal” images. A reference atlas, compiling the most representative “normal” images of each system, and how to obtain them, resulted from regular voluntary – or better said “trained” – ultrasound sessions in the past 15 years with the pinniped population from several facilities. Images were obtained using a Logiq E VET, General Electric, with 4C-RS curvilinear (2-5MHz), 8C-RS micro-convex (8-10 MHz) and 12 L-RS linear (10-12 MHz) probes. Attention was given to a consistent labelling and orientation of the images. This atlas will mainly help compare new findings in the animals with their normal images. On an educational point of view, it will make an excellent tool for new veterinarians to refer to when learning this skill. It will also be useful for a better inter-facility comparison. Although this document has now been printed for a quicker visual help, this is an on-going process. Technology evolves quite rapidly, better performing equipment becomes available and more is learned about interpretation of this kind of diagnostic imaging every day. But also our medical knowledge about these animals is a constant learning curve. Such an atlas would never have been possible without the excellent training skills of these animals’ trainers.


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FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBERSOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO BE HELD: THEATER OF THE SEA’S DISABLED CALIFORNIA SEA LION LEARNS A VOLUNTARY RESTRAINTAmy E. WiseTheater of the Sea, Islamorada, Florida, USA

Established in 1946, Theater of the Sea (TOTS) is the second oldest marine mammal park in the United States. TOTS staff has trained voluntary restraints with our Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) for years but had not done so with California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Previously, when they needed to be restrained, males were placed in a squeeze cage and females were “caught” and manually restrained. After discussing other options with our curator, Beverley Osborne, we thought if the dolphins can learn a voluntary restraint, why can’t the sea lions!

Theater of the Sea is home to five California sea lions; four were born in human care and one, Bella, stranded six years ago. Rehabilitated by the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, CA, Bella was deemed non-releasable after being diagnosed with a neurological condition. Bella’s motor skills are impaired; resulting in a constant head motion to compensate. Bella’s disorder has not inhibited her from participating in shows, swims, meets, and paint programs nor various husbandry behaviors. Historically, Bella is distracted by shadows as well as noises and she has trouble with sessions involving multiple trainers around her, which often cause her to flee the session.

Bella’s disorder and docile nature made her the perfect candidate to train the voluntary restraint behavior. This behavior desensitizes her to multiple people close to her and provides a way to handle her for potential medical procedures. Restraint approximations included having Bella tuck her flippers, allow hands to hold her neck, and adding one person at a time to the behavior. Once a person was on either side, we decided that restraining her would be much easier if a trainer kneeled over her, holding head in place, simulating an actual restraint. In the final behavior there are one or two people on top, and up to six people around her holding her down.

In an effort to further reinforce the restraint layout we perform the behavior in our Meet the Sea Lion Program (MTSL). The guests set up in two rows, Bella lies down and tucks her flippers between them. Once tucked, we allow the guests to pet her in this position providing an adorable photo for the guests and extra tactile training for Bella. Using this behavior in MTSL was a very important step in completing the restraint.

Bella learned the voluntary restraint quickly, therefore it was decided to take the behavior a step further. We chose to combine the restraint with her previously trained voluntary blood draw. Shortly after training Bella for the restraint, another trainer at Theater of the Sea, Katia Kovacic, began training Mimi, an elderly blind sea lion, for the restraint paired with oral hydration. Next, Bella and Mimi were trained to breathe with an anesthesia cone placed over their nose while in the restraint. The combinations are endless with this beneficial husbandry behavior.

Training Bella for a voluntary restraint not only gave us another option to care for her medically, but transformed her into an animal that is now extremely comfortable with having a group of people around her. These skills will help Bella as a whole to be a more confident, successful animal. We believe that all of our animals can benefit from being comfortable in uncomfortable situations and we will continue to search for even more ways to improve their care.


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FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBERWAITING TO INHALE: TRAINING A BLIND 28 YEAR OLD ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS TO HOLD AN EXHALE FOR AN ASTONISHING ECHOCARDIOGRAMKatia G. KovacicTheater of the Sea, Islamorada, Florida, USA

Established in 1946, Theater of the Sea (TOTS) is one of the first facilities in the country and is home to one of the oldest California sea lions in human care, Mimi. Mimi is a blind 29 year old female sea lion. With age comes increased probability of medical issues and therefore the need for conditioning husbandry behaviors that were once unimaginable in order to maintain her excellent health. During a routine ultrasound TOTS veterinarian, Dr. Michael Renner, noticed what appeared to be fluid around her heart. Dr. Renner said there were small moments when he saw a better view of the heart. These glimpses occurred when Mimi would exhale. The reason there were only moments of clarity is because sea lion lungs are massive. When filled the lungs can obstruct the view of the heart. Dr. Renner requested we condition a new husbandry behavior where Mimi empty her lungs of air and hold the exhale for an echocardiogram. This paper will go over the obstacles and approximations that led to the success of this behavior allowing the entire heart to be seen and diagnosed.


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SUCCESSFUL VOLUNTARY GASTROSCOPY TRAINING WITH AN AGGRESSIVE DOLPHINArenea Sleeman and Gabby Harris*uShaka Sea World, Durban, South Africa

Affrika is a 21 year old female Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops trucatus) with a history of aggression and unpredictability in her behaviour. Animal care staff at uShaka Sea World were concerned about her health due to the abundance of red and white blood cells found in routine gastric samples. Affrika also went through a period of chronic regurgitation and as a result it was difficult to maintain her at a healthy weight. A restrained gastroscopy showed that Affrika suffered from ulcers in her esophagus and first stomach. Ten days after the gastroscopy Affrika took a turn for the worse and stopped eating. In order to medicate her, negative reinforcement training was successfully used. Affrika responded well to the treatment and started regaining her strength. Once she was stronger a follow-up restrained gastroscopy procedure was attempted. Unfortunately, this was unsuccessful. Animal care staff were faced with two challenges, to get consistent blood samples and to train a voluntary gastroscopy. The challenge with Affrika was her aggression and unpredictability. Affrika regularly snaps at the gastric tube after a sample is taken, often biting the tube and narrowly missing trainers’ knees. Also, this risk cannot be taken with very expensive medical equipment. A training plan was compiled with animal behavior modification techniques and equipment modifications in mind to suit Affrika and her care givers. This paper will document the training process and the successful results gleaned from consistent training, creative thought, and team work.

A LITTLE ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES: COMPOSITIONAL ANALYSIS OF MILK SAMPLES FROM ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHINS (STENO BREDANENSIS) Dr. Lydia Staggs, Secret Holmes*, Heather DowningGulf World Marine Park, Panama City Beach, USA

Gulf World Marine Park is the proud home to a collection of rough-toothed dolphins (S. bredanensis). As one of only two facilities in the world to currently house rough-toothed dolphins under human care, this has afforded Gulf World the opportunity to investigate aspects of this unique species which were previously unknown, such as milk composition. Milk samples were taken early post-partum from two individual females, and a proximate analysis was performed, looking at percentages of fat, carbohydrates, moisture content, caloric value, and ash (mineral) composition. Findings were compared to published values from closely related cetacean species. Milk analysis is especially important when considering man made formula composition for the hand-rearing of dolphin calves, as the recipe needs to be formulated according to the needs of the particular species.

56 Proceedings 2015 / Posters

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TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBERLASER THERAPY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO MEDICATION OR SURGERY Dr. Lydia Staggs, Secret Holmes, Allison Hinz* Gulf World Marine Park, Panama City Beach, USA

Innovative technologies are regularly developed to advance animal health and care. One such technology used at Gulf World Marine Park is Multi-Wave Locked System (MLS) Laser Therapy. This therapy increases blood and lymphatic circulation and relieves pain. This particular technology penetrates water which helps to treat a variety of species, including: cetaceans, pinnipeds, sea turtles, sharks, fish, penguins, and domesticated species. Laser therapy has helped treat many conditions, like arthritis, and heal wounds. Through the training staff’s and veterinary staff’s subjective observations, a better range of motion was noticed for animals previously limited and allowed veterinary staff to decrease or discontinue pain medication. Healing times for wounds were cut in half. The staff concurs that this cutting-edge technology has been extremely beneficial as an alternative to medication or surgery.

COMPARING DIETARY COMPONENTS OF BOTTENOSE DOLPHINS’ NATIVE AND NON-NATIVE DIETSRita Stacey* and Melissa Zabojnik* Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, USA

Iron overload in captive animals is often attributed to the consumption of non-native diets (Johnson et al., 2009). According to our previous research (funded by the 2011 IMATA Research Grant) results showed that blood iron levels in dolphins in human care increase with age. These results were similar to Mazzaro et al. (2012) findings in that dolphins in professional care had higher iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation values than free-ranging dolphins. After investigating trophic levels of native and non-native fish species, we have compiled nutritional analysis, iron content, and tannin analysis. This compares fish species commonly fed to dolphins in professional care to that of seven different fish species consumed by wild dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida. This research was supported by the 2014 IMATA Research Grant.

ReferencesJohnson, S. P., Venn-Watson, S. K., Cassle, S. E., Smith, C. R., Jensen E. D., & Ridgway, S. H. (2009). Use of phlebotomy treatment in Atalntic bottlenose dolphins

with iron overload. Journal of the American Veterinarian Medical Association, 235(2), 194-200.

Mazzaro L.M., Johnson, S.P., Fair, P.A., Bossart, G., Carlin, K.P., Jensen, E.D., Smith, C.R, Andrews, G.A, Chavey P.S., Venn-Watson, S. (2012). Iron indices among

bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): identifying populations at risk for iron overload. Comparative Medicine 62, 508–15.

57Proceedings 2015 / Posters

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TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBERADVANCES IN TRAINING OF SEMEN SAMPLES COLLECTION IN A SOUTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL (MIROUNGA LEONINA)Marco Gonzalez*, Matias Naughton, Nestor Truppa, Ivan Zubizarreta, Yesica Buzid, Roxana CastelliMundo Marino, San Clemete de Tuyu, Argentina

Mundo Marino conducted training semen sample collection in a Mirounga leonina specimen housed at the park in order to assess reproductive capacity. Through operant conditioning techniques we positioned the animal to desensitize the genital area and get semen samples. 210 practices were conducted over a period of 18 months. During this time we collected pre-seminal fluid samples. The best results of this training matched the breeding season of the species. These results will allow us to evaluate and learn more about the sperm morphology and expand the data on sexual maturity and seasonality of the species in controlled environments. This work will allow us to preserve the genetic material in a Genetic Bank and ensure the conservation of the species.

DERMATOLOGICAL SKIN CONDITIONS IN SOUTH AMERICAN SEA LIONSCarla Haskell*, Eric Anderson, DVM, Will Elgar, Greg Charbeneau, Chelsea Roberts, RAHTDolphin Cay, Atlantis, Paradise Island, Commonwealth of the Bahamas

Dolphin Cay, Atlantis is home to eight South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens). Over the past two years we have seen varying degrees of severity in dermatological conditions in our sea lions, especially our South American sea lions. One animal in particular, Camilla, has a severe skin condition which at times affects up to 50-60% of her body. Camilla has several areas that are affected, with the majority of the conditions localized around the ventral throat region, ventral thorax down to the mid abdomen, shoulder/upper flippers, dorsal- lateral head/neck, and periocular regions, differing from the commonly seen lower dorsal region. We have used different calming and topical treatments to manage Camilla’s condition, with varying success. Camilla is also on a daily oral supplementation schedule, including vitamins, fish oil, and antibiotics as necessary. Camilla’s condition does vary subtly with seasonal changes; however, it never fully resolves. The condition does not affect Camilla’s training and interaction program. With further studies and treatments, we hope to collaborate with other institutions to further our knowledge of an underlying cause and treatment of this dermatological condition in South American sea lions.


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TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBERPAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE: AN INSIDE VIEW INTO THE SUCCESSFUL STORY OF KEEPING CALIFORNIA SEA LIONS (ZALOPHUS CALIFORNIANUS) AT THE NUREMBERG ZOOChristiane Thiere* and Andreas FackelNuremberg Zoo, Nuremberg Reichswald, Germany

With this poster we want to give you a view into the history of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) at the Nuremberg Zoo. The Zoo opened in 1912 and sea lions were presented in a rocky environment. In the 1930s, Adolf Hitler needed the area where the zoo was located for a big parade ground and forced the zoo to move somewhere else. The former zoo director decided to move to the edge of the forest, where the new Zoo, “am Schmausenbuck,” was reopened in 1939. During the Second World War many animals died, including the pinnipeds. In 1956 the new generation of California sea lions arrived and since then the zoo has been impressively successful in keeping and breeding these wonderful pinnipeds. Since 1956, 86 Sea lions have been born at Nuremberg Zoo and most of them found new homes all around the world, from Hong Kong to Italy, from California to Hungary.

Over the years the environment has been rebuilt from a pond into a big natural pool with underwater viewing. In 1991 a second group of sea lions had been settled in the zoo’s dolphinarium in order to become playmates for the dolphins. After the death of the two breeding males in 2009 and 2010 the zoo reorganized the two groups to avoid inbreeding. In 2014 a new, 1 ½ year old, male sea lion arrived. Within a half year later he mated successfully with two of our females, which leads us into the seventh generation. We are proud to present the great grandmother, grandmother, mother, daughter, and grandchild living together in our zoo.

WAIT! DON´T PANIC! THERE IS A NATURAL SOLUTION TO THIS MIRACLE MANATEE Edgar Urbina, Manuel Garduño, Alex Mata, Silvia Becerra, Leila Zekkour, Mauricio Madrazo, Joanna Stoklosa*, Roberto Sanchez Okrucky, Shelley WoodDolphin Discovery, Cancun, Mexico

Ten years after the beginning of our manatee breeding program at Dolphin Discovery, Juliet, in Puerto Aventuras, has had five successful births, all males. In Isla Mujeres, one of our other manatees, Sabina, was preparing for the birth of her calf. The birth was successful and she became the second Manatee in Dolphin Discovery to successfully reproduce and the fourth in Mexico. Postpartum, Sabina displayed maternal behaviors; however, she would not allow her calf to nurse. When it appeared that the only solution was nursing through human intervention, we realized that the solution was a mere 90 miles away in Puerto Aventuras where Juliet was still nursing her seven month old calf, Conchis. Juliet’s calf was transported to Puerto Aventuras where Sabina took care of both female manatees with natural nursing. Coupled with our experience in operant conditioning, teaching Juliet to show the mammary glands naturally, plus a combination formula designed for optimal growth was the key for survival of this valuable female, a new genetic line for future reproduction of our manatees. The quick reaction, successful transport of a three day old manatee, conditioning female for prompting the nurse position, and successful formula gave us the solution to this miracle.


POSTER ABSTRACTS

TRAINING AND ENRICHMENT USED TO IMPROVE DENTAL CARE IN SOUTH AFRICAN FUR SEALSColette Bodenstaff*uShaka Sea World, Durban, South Africa

South African fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus) teeth are blackened by bacteria. This is normal in wild seals as well as seals under human care. Seals are piscivores, using their teeth to capture and rip prey fish apart into bite size chunks. Pinnipeds under human care do not need to capture their prey and food is most often fed to them in smaller pieces to deliver quick rewards and minimise chewing. Plaque builds up on their teeth as a result of less manipulation of whole fish. Seals are also prone to infections from tooth fractures and abrasions during altercations with con-specifics. This paper will show how the animal care staff at uShaka Sea World uses positive reinforcement and operant conditioning techniques to train the seals a variety of husbandry behaviours to monitor and improve their dental care. These trained behaviors include daily mouth checks, regular teeth, and gum brushing with an oral cleaning paste made specifically for animals, veterinarian presence desensitization, radiograph training, voluntary injection and crate training for more invasive procedures requiring immobilization. Furthermore, seals are also provided with fresh kelp (Ecklonia maxima) as enrichment on a monthly basis. The seals’ chewing action on the kelp stalks and leaves significantly reduces plaque growth and serves to rid their teeth of excess plaque. This practice is not widely used and some information on the use of kelp will also be discussed.

AMAZON RIVER DOLPHIN CONSERVATION FOUNDATIONSuzanne M. SmithAmazon River Dolphin Conservation Foundation, New Orleans, USA

Amazon River Dolphin Conservation Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization that supports local Brazilian efforts to protect a storied species and its rainforest ecosystem. Building upon the wisdom of Amazon traditions, practices and beliefs with findings from modern conservation biology, Amazon River Dolphin Conservation Foundation works to preserve the river dolphin from the corrosive pressures of outside, usually foreign interests that threaten the survival of the dolphins and their world. The fates of dolphins and people have been entwined for millennia. Amazon River Dolphin Conservation Foundation promotes healthy, natural interactions between dolphins and people that protect both animals and people, sustain local culture, and transform visitors to ardent Amazon conservationists. Approved future collaborative projects with Amazon River Dolphin Conservation Foundation include, but are not limited to, photo identification catalog, population survey, and conservation education messaging.



POSTER ABSTRACTS


PROTEINS, FATS AND KILOCALORIES IN 5 FISH SPECIES USED IN THE MARINE MAMMAL INDUSTRY OVER THE LAST 22 YEARS.Dan Shinder 2, Wayne Phillips 1, Jaime Alberto 1*, Bernal Vertiz 1* 1Cabo dolphins, Los Cabos, Mexico2Pisces Seafood International, La Mesa, USA

Marine mammals under human care normally consume fish that was caught by a variety of fishing methods and vessels. The fish is either processed on board with the aim of quick freezing, or delivered directly to the processing facilities. The goal is to achieve the freshest product while maintaining maximum nutrients. Fish is usually frozen in blocks and packaged in plastic-lined boxes to be impervious to air and moisture to retain its quality and water content. Purchases are made in bulk, delivered to a holding cold storage, and sent to the final destination, arriving frozen for thawing prior to being fed. Quality, freshness, and handling methodology of the fish we use has been a subject of study and evaluation. We will review the data analysis collected over 22 years for five different fish species used to feed our animals. The analysis include catch year, fat, proteins, and kilocalories used and consumed throughout the marine mammal community.

YALIT, A CASE TO SHAREJ. Abarca, L. Serrano, T. Capote, R. Torres & C. López*Grupo Via Delphi SA de CV, Cacún, Mexico

A four month old Tursipos truncatus calf presented with multiple uncommon lesions including nodulations in pectoral fins and caudal vertebrae, partial loss of vision and poor weight gain. Upon physical examination corneal opacity was evident, apparent arthritis in pectoral fins and caudal vertebrae and high body temperature. Clinical analyses were performed and medical treatment was administered including ceftriaxone, Varidasa™, local treatments of wounds, ocular tears. After a long treatment duration there are not recurrent lesions. This case is similar to humans with Chronic Recurrent Multiple Osteomyelitis (Colleen et al., 2004; Huber et al., 2002).

ReferencesColleen, S.Y. & Chun, M.D. (2004). La osteomielitis multifocal crónica recurrente de la columna vertebral y la mandíbula: Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literature,

Pediatría. 113(4).

Huber, A.M., Lam P.Y., Duffy CM, Yeung, R.S., Ditchfield, M., Laxer, D., Cole, W.G., Kerr Graham, H., Allen, R.C., Laxer, R.M. (2002) Osteomielitis crónica recurrente

multifocal: resultados clínicos después de más de cinco años de seguimiento. Journal of Pediatrics. 141(2), 198-203.


POSTER ABSTRACTS

TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBERPERCEIVED END OF SESSION AGGRESSION IN A SOUTH AFRICAN FUR SEALColette Bodenstaff*, Bilal Limbada, Nikhiel SinghuShaka Sea World, Durban, South Africa Ilanga, a 17 year old female South African fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus) started aggressing towards trainers when asked to gate into her holding area (kennel) at the end of a training session. This was unusual behavior as Ilanga has always been regarded as a calm and placid seal with no tendencies of aggression towards trainers. Due to her calm nature she is often used as a confidence booster for novice trainers to learn training skills. Various reasons for the “sudden” aggression were considered and ranged from the anthropomorphic, “She was having too much fun and didn’t want the session to end,” to the most likely reason which was that her aggressive unwanted response had unwittingly been reinforced. End of session cues are highly debatable due to their association with aggressive responses. At uShaka Sea World the seal team had chosen to use an end of session vocal cue and corresponding hand signal to indicate the end of a session. This signal was always given through protected contact. Ilanga seemed to associate the kennel as the end of her training session. The various theories as to the reason for her response will be detailed and behavior modification techniques to solve her unwanted behavior will be highlighted.

HOW DO YOU FIGHT THE CLAIM THAT DOLPHINS ARE “FORCED TO WORK ALL DAY”?...WITH DATA!Kelly Jaakkola*, Emily Guarino, Jane Hecksher, Katy DoneganDolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, USA

Animal rights activists often accuse marine mammal facilities of “forcing the dolphins to work all day.” Of course, this is wrong on multiple levels. The dolphins aren’t forced, and positive reinforcement training adds to an animal’s well-being, rather than detracts from it as implied by the term “work.” In addition to correcting these deliberate terminological distortions, facilities can also address such criticisms with objective data. At Dolphin Research Center, we timed how long each dolphin spent in sessions (excluding enrichment) over three separate days. The results revealed an average of one hour, 31 minutes daily. We would like to encourage other facilities to collect similar data, allowing an industry-wide response to the criticism that the dolphins are “working too much”.

BRINGING BACK THE JOY: MOTIVATING TWO SATIATED MALE ATLANTIC BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) TO RETURN TO GUEST INTERACTIONS Charlotte Raven*, George RodgersDolphin Explorer, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

In 2014 two alpha male dolphins, Khan and Cacique, were withdrawn from interaction programs due to medical issues. Following treatment they were cleared for participation in low-energy programs. They began well but interest gradually faded, criteria was not met, and sometimes programs were not completed. We decided they were satiated, that over-exposure to non-swimmers and others uncomfortable in the water was largely responsible for this behavior. Our tools for turning this around were variability and motivation based on a strong dolphin-trainer relationship. We began by focusing on programs geared to fewer, more capable, swimmers and having the two dolphins share the behaviors. We built on this gradually until Khan, and the more reluctant Cacique, were again enthusiastic participants in scheduled programs.


POSTER ABSTRACTS

TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBERTHE IMPORTANCE OF COOPERATION AND TRUST IN A LONG TREATMENT OF INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION IN OLD TUSIOPS TRUNCATUS, WHO WAS NEVER INJECTED, USING POSITIVE HISTORY SCENARIO AS A SUCCESFULL CONDITIONING METHODRicardo Ruiz*, Cynthia Henderson & Tashi ReidOnmega Dolphin Park, Marmaris, Turkey

Last winter it was necessary to apply intramuscular injection treatment for twenty consecutive days to Flip, a 31 year old Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus truncatus), who had never been injected before. Onmega’s training team had the challenge of conditioning injection tolerance while actual medical treatment was administered. The team’s goal was not to capture Flip for treatment but to have him do so voluntarily. Applying methods of active desensitization, we offered a preconditioned positive scenario in which the dolphin voluntarily beached and was then surrounded by trainers for a gastric inspection, as a positive reference to gradually extinguish the aversive response to the application of the injection, then to receive intramuscular injection as a positive stimulus. This paper will review the challenges involved in undertaking such a plan.

RELATIONSHIP AS THE MAIN REINFORCEMENT TO TRAIN A BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN CALF TO BLOOD SAMPLE BY BEHAVIOURNeto A.P. Henriques*, A. Popadina, M. Libianchi, F. Patrignani, F. Valeri L. Grande, L. FiorucciZoomarine Italia, Pomezia, Italy

Thai is a young female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) born at Zoomarine in September 2012.Thai was used to being in contact with trainers due to the excellent relationship between trainers her mother. This relationship allowed trainers to be close to Thai in various training session contexts, interaction in water, playing and other situations. Increasing interaction, Thai looked for contact more often, especially scrubbing on her fluke. Our biggest challenge was maintaining behaviors using relationship as the main reinforcement. During the beginning of Tai’s training program, Thai was still nursing and just started eating fish. At the age of one year and five months a successful blood sample by behavior was taken.


POSTER ABSTRACTS

INTRODUCTION OF FAMILIAR AND NOVEL OBJECTS FOR TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS PONTICUS UNDER HUMAN CARERuta Ziliene 1* and Fabienne Delfour ²1Lithuanian Sea museum/Klaipeda University, Lithuania²Laboratoire d’Ethologie Expérimentale et Comparée, Paris 13 University, Villetaneuse, France

Scientific studies on the welfare of marine mammals under human care are deeply needed to better respect them. Studies usually focus on various parameters, such as group composition, number of individuals, medical care or diet of these marine mammals. Nevertheless, more studies on individual and social behaviors of marine mammals are needed such as serious assessments of enriching programs. During the present study eight familiar and 14 novel objects were provided to six Black Sea bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus ponticus) in Attica zoological park once a day during their free time. Preliminary results show a group interest for novel objects; the introduction of novel objects seems to enhance social behaviors. When not manipulating the objects, dolphins display visual interest towards the introduced objects; however, this activity is mainly individual. To conclude, results are discussed in terms of effectiveness of enrichment programs and behavioral changes in the animals subsequent to the introduction of various objects.

FOUR DECADES OF HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND FUN: WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?Márcia Neto, Elsa Quintino*, Lucie Palma, Alexandra Rodrigues, Carla Flanagan, Marco Bragança, Miguel SilveiraZoomarine, Lisbon, Portugal

Zoomarine’s founding dolphins started to be trained for husbandry behaviors back in the 1970’s, a long time before the park’s opening in Portugal. This training program, sponsored from the beginning by Mr. Pedro Lavia, is today one of the keystones of our marine mammal zoological standards. Our husbandry behaviors protocol, together with a strict preventative medicine philosophy largely improved the quality of life and health of our marine mammals. This lead to long life expectancies and as a result most of our founders are still among us. Additionally, as we became more proficient in training these behaviors and in overcoming the first challenges, the protocol included more and more animals from our collection. Husbandry behaviors have been applied both to our dolphins and pinnipeds, and have been in constant evolution, either by increasing the number of behaviors, or by improving and adapting existing ones to new challenges that arose. Training begins in the early stages of the marine mammals’ lives and lasts for the whole duration of their life. If there is one thing that we all know in our profession is that there is not a special formula for training marine mammals. It’s a joint learning process for both the trainer and the animal. And we had a lot to learn, throughout all these years. Many of the adaptations made to conventional training techniques were due to challenging medical conditions, animals with special needs, innovative research projects and our geriatric pinnipeds and dolphins that required particular attention. Our path was by no means uneventful and we made many mistakes along the way. Nevertheless, we believe that our community grows stronger each time a member shares its experience, and that has a direct positive effect on the animals in facilities across the world. With this presentation we would like to share over 40 years of marine mammal husbandry training and our vision for the future.



POSTER ABSTRACTS

IMATA RESEARCH GRANTThe IMATA Research Grant was established in 2011 to provide financial support for research projects which address IMATA’s Mission. All submissions underwent a rigorous and competitive two-tier review process before the IMATA Research and Conservation Committee submitted funding recommendations to the IMATA Board for consideration.

TO DATE, IMATA HAS AWARDED $13,570 IN RESEARCH GRANTS.PROPOSALS ARE ACCEPTED ANNUALLY. SEE IMATA.ORG FOR MORE DETAILS.

IMATA CONSERVATION FUNDThe International Marine Animal Trainers Association Conservation Fund was founded in 2011 to provide financial support for third-party non-profit organization projects which focus on conservation-oriented issues and promote communication, professionalism, and cooperation among those who serve marine mammal science through training, public display, research, husbandry, conservation and education.

TO DATE, IMATA HAS AWARDED $3,000 TO CONSERVATION PROJECTS.PROPOSALS ARE ACCEPTED ANNUALLY. SEE IMATA.ORG FOR MORE DETAILS.

Questions? Contact the Research and Conservation committee chair at [email protected]

65Proceedings 2015 / IMATA Gives Back

IMATA GIVES BACK

THE 2015 IMATA CONFERENCE IN THE BAHAMAS IS GUARANTEED TO BE FILLED WITH SOME AMAZING AND INSIGHTFUL PRESENTATIONS, MANY OF WHICH WILL RECEIVE SPECIAL HONORS AND AWARDS! EACH YEAR, IMATA AND THE HONORS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE PRIDE THEMSELVES ON RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING PRESENTATION ACHIEVEMENTS BY HONORING THOSE PAPERS, POSTERS, AND PRESENTERS THAT STAND OUT FROM THE REST.

JUDGESThe 2015 Judge Team is a diverse team of IMATA members from around the world.

As a comprehensive team, they have: • Over 80 years of training experience • Over 50 years as IMATA members • Attended over 20 IMATA conferences • Trained a wide variety of species of marine animals, terrestrial animals and birds. • Extensive experience in all areas including education, husbandry, show training, interactive training, operational training and research.

This is a huge commitment from our volunteer judges, and every year they have a tough job to do!

JUDGING CRITER IAJudging will be based on four elements:

• Information • Subject matter • Presenter • Overall presentation

Each judge will assign a total score to each presentation based upon those four criteria.

TROPHY CATEGORIESAwards will be given during the Honors and Awards Banquet on Friday, 2 October 2015 in the following categories:

• Behavioral Training • Husbandry Training • Education and Conservation • Research Advancements • Poster Presentation

The First Time Presenter Award will be given to the individual presenting a formal presentation for the first time at IMATA. The presenter must be giving at least 50% of the formal paper.

66 Proceedings 2015 / Judging & Awards

JUDGING & AWARDS

ADDITIONAL AWARDS

OUTERNET TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL AWA RDOuternet Technologies will host and sponsor their 14th annual award recognizing the best or most innovative use of technology in training sessions, shows, play sessions, husbandry or record keeping for any formal, informal, or poster presentation. The recipients of this award are determined by the IMATA Honors and Awards Judging Team and this year the second place winner will receive $100, and the first place winner will receive $200.

COLL PERSKE PHOTO & ART CONTESTThe Science Applications International Corporation will sponsor the annual photo and art contest where IMATA members are encouraged to display their creativity through photography, art, or humor/cartoon as related to marine animals or related training activities. All submitted entries will be judged by SAIC representatives and first and second place winners will be selected for three categories including: best photography, best art, and best humor/cartoon. Second place winners will receive $100, and first place winners will receive $200 for each category.

EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARDDesigned to encourage and recognize excellence in writing skills, this award will be presented to the author of the expanded abstract that most effectively and accurately reflects the formatting guidelines for IMATA Proceedings. A cash award of $300 will be awarded at the annual conference, sponsored by Doug and Cheryl Messinger of The Dolphin Connection.

2015 IMATA PEOPLE’S CHOICEThe IMATA People’s Choice Award is given to any individual, group, or organization that conference attendees feel has made that greatest contribution to the 2015 IMATA Conference. To vote, simply fill out and detach the enclosed 2015 IMATA People’s Choice Voting Ballot and insert into the People’s Choice Ballot Box by 12:30pm on Friday, 2 Octoberber 2015. These votes will be privately tallied by the Honors and Awards Committee and the first and second place winners will be announced at the Honors and Awards Banquet where they will each receive a special IMATA trophy.

67Proceedings 2015 / Judging & Awards

JUDGING & AWARDS

GOLD-LEVEL SPONSORS

PLATINUM-LEVEL SPONSOR

MCROBERTS SALES CO., INCwww.mcrobertssales.com | 813-645-2561

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Dr. Johanna Mejia-Fava | [email protected] Necessity focuses on delivering high-quality nutritional products and services to

veterinary health professionals and pet owners around the world.

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SAICwww.SAIC.com | Scott KlappenbackScott Klappenback | 703.676.4300

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PEPPERMINT NARWHALwww.peppermintnarwhal.com | 330.962.3834Brian Masuga | [email protected]

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ATLANTIC/PACIFICwww.atlanticpacificusa.com | 401.294.9570

John Kosmark | [email protected] top quality fish and other seafood to zoos, aquarium, and marine animal attractions

worldwide for the best in nutrition and health.

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SILVER-LEVEL SPONSORS

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FACILITY SPONSORS

AMNEVILLE ZOOwww.zoo-amneville.com

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68 Proceedings 2015 / Sponsors

SPONSORS

FACILITY SPONSORS EXHIBITORS

CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM www.seewinter.com

DOLPHIN ENCOUNTERSwww.dolphinencounters.com

GEORGIA AQUARIUM www.georgiaaquarium.org

MOTE MARINE LABORATORY www.mote.org

DOLPHIN CAY ATLANTISwww.atlantisbahamas.com/thingstodo/

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GULF WORLD MARINE PARKwww.gulfworldmarinepark.com

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HOST FACILITY

ANIMAL NECESSITY, LLCwww.animalnecessity.com

ATLANTIC/PACIFICwww.atlanticpacificusa.com

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DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTERwww.dolphins.org/cmmp

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McROBERTS SALES CO., INCwww.mcrobertssales.com

MERIDIAN SUBTEKwww.meridian.cc

PEPPERMINT NARWHALwww.peppermintnarwhal.com

69Proceedings 2015 / Sponsors

SPONSORS

MESSAGE FROM BILL WOLDENIMATA PAST-PRESIDENT

Thank you to all of the individuals listed below for their hard work towards making this year’s conference a success. It’s important to note that almost all of the people listed below DO NOT GET PAID for their work with IMATA, but instead VOLUNTEER their time, energy, and expertise so that we can become the most effective animal advocates for all creatures on this planet.

• TERI CORBETT for getting us started on the right track to plan a conference that we will never forget. We hope you will rejoin the IMATA leadership team soon.

• DOLPHIN CAY for being our host facility, sponsoring the icebreaker event, and for providing every single conference attendee a complimentary dolphin experience.

• MICHELE SOUSA for being the liaison between the Atlantis Resort and IMATA - including organizing room blocks, audio visual, food & beverage, and so much more. You will be a great President!

• KELLY FLAHERTY CLARK for organizing the abstract review team, handling all submitted abstracts, organizing the formal and informal presentations schedule, and for keeping the bar high.

• WILL ELGAR and GREG CHARBENEAU for helping us organize events with Dolphin Cay and Atlantis including the icebreaker and dolphin encounters and for setting up our Junkanoo dancers, DJ, and waterpark scavenger hunt.

• MICHELLE CAMPBELL for her amazing hard work, organization and clear vision on our resume review workshop, job fair and raffle events.

• DAVE ROBERTS for his ability to recruit interesting and relevant guest speakers, and for his skills at effectively moderating and producing the panel discussion.

• JENNIFER PLETCHER for her assistance and creativity with the raffle drawing events, and for raising the bar and making this year’s raffle our best one yet.

• MICHAEL HUNT for his hard work with conference marketing and promotion, name tag design, conference registration, and providing his expertise whenever asked.

• BECKY MASUGA for her countless hours and assistance with so many projects beyond her duties with Peppermint Narwhal, including: resolving registration challenges, name tag design, website updates, and the list could go on and on. You are a true IMATA friend!!!

• ERIC GAGLIONE for his willingness to jump in, organize, and teach new talent how to recruit moderators, organize gift bags, and so much more.

• LINDA ERB for her leadership and support over the past year and making sure we always had enough resources to get our work done.• CHRIS SCULLION for recruiting sponsorships for this year’s IMATA conference – she is a huge part of the reason why we are able

to offer lower registration rates to our members.• LAURA YEATES for her endless support with organizing the content for Proceedings, and her work with abstract organization and

review.• GARY SIDDALL for stepping up to the plate to volunteer as our audio/visual liaison between the Atlantis Resort and our IMATA

presenters.• KEN RAMIREZ for volunteering his time and energy to conduct two animal training seminars to the eager students excited to learn

new skills.• KIM TERRELL and DOLPHIN ENCOUNTERS for providing our conference attendees a fantastic afternoon at their park, a

beautiful boat ride, and for hosting our informal night.• BRIAN MASUGA and PEPPERMINT NARWHAL for designing our conference logo, PowerPoint templates, Proceedings,

marketing materials, and so much more. You continue to help IMATA look polished, and we value our partnership.

70 Proceedings 2015 / Thank You!

THANK YOU

• ROBERT ROOZENDAAL and RITA STACEY for making sure budgets were followed, funds were tracked, and our membership’s dollars were all accounted for.

• BEN SCHREINER for organizing all of our shipping needs into the Bahamas and making sure everything got to the conference on time.

• SHELLEY WOOD for organizing our interview skills workshop and providing attendees invaluable information.• BRAD ANDREWS for inspiring us all as our keynote speaker for this year’s conference and for sharing his insights on the animal

care community and how to secure the future for trainers and animals.• DR. TERRY MAPLES for his informative talk on the next frontier of animal welfare and reminding us all on the importance of

providing the best possible care to our animals.• DR. GERALDINE LACAVE, DR. CHRIS DOLD, DR. MARTIN HUALENA and DR. MICHAEL RENNER, representatives

of the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine (IAAAM), for their insightful panel discussion and workshop on animal care along with their willingness to talk personally with our conference attendees.

• ERIN WEBER for her work on recruiting and organizing our conference volunteers and for handling our roommate service requests.• ERIN WISE for securing and managing our conference moderators and for facilitating our conference survey.• ANN HOEDT for serving as our Merchandise Committee chairperson and for ensuring our conference merchandise products were

fresh, high-quality, and available for sale to our membership.• BEAU RICHTER for keeping our IMATA website up to date with important information about this year’s conference to keep our

members informed.• NICOLE O’DONNELL for recruiting our conference judge team, securing all award trophies, and for organizing the Honors and

Awards Banquet.• ALEX MATA for creating the always fun-to-watch conference opening video and for coming up with a fun theme and wonderful

song choice this year.• SUZANNE SMITH for putting together an exciting presentation showcasing the 2016 IMATA Conference in San Diego – we can’t wait!!!• RESUME REVIEW TEAM made of professionals for taking their time to assist others fine tune their resumes.• ROBYN TRAINOR for all of her administrative assistance with the career night events, and keeping things organized and moving

forward.• MICHELLE SHOEMAKER for handling a variety of duties that helped us stay on track and prepare for the conference.• JILL ALLREAD for offering professional advice on all public relations matters and for making sure IMATA is well-represented and

protected.• AWESOME OCEAN for taking an interest in IMATA and wanting to tell the story of the important work that we all do.• SPONSORS for donating funds, products, and time to this year’s conference - and also for those companies that purchased

tables at the Exhibitor Hall to provide our membership with information, services, and products for their facilities and animals.• FACILITY SPONSORS for donating funds to this year’s conference and allowing us to lower conference registration rates for

our members.• ALL OF YOU – the presenters, moderators and conference attendees for coming to the Bahamas, purchasing a conference

registration, speaking your voice and being an active participant in this year’s event – it doesn’t work without each of you!• IMATA for continuing to provide a platform for trainers to share information and thereby improving the quality of care for all marine

animals around the world.

It’s been my pleasure to work with everyone listed above this year and I believe we have worked very hard and have done our best to put together a conference that attendees will enjoy and remember for a long time. The IMATA leadership team continues to improve our community by implementing new ideas, educating our members, and caring for the animals in our care with the highest of standards…and for those reasons and more I’m very proud to be a part of the IMATA organization.

71Proceedings 2015 / Thank You!

THANK YOU

DEDICATED TO ADVANCING THE HUMANE CARE AND HANDLING OF MARINE ANIMALS BY FOSTERING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PROFESSIONALS THAT SERVE MARINE ANIMAL SCIENCE THROUGH TRAINING, PUBLIC DISPLAY, RESEARCH, HUSBANDRY, CONSERVATION, AND EDUCATION.

Proceedings is published once a year by the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA) as a service to its members. Submissions of abstracts, photographs, and graphics are subject to such revision as is necessary in our sole discretion to meet the requirements of the publication. Photographs should be submitted as highresolution digital images. Include captions, identify all recognizable persons, and include a photo credit. The act of submitting an abstract, photograph, text, or graphic constitutes an agreement that (1) the materials are free of copyright restrictions, (2) photo releases have been obtained, and (3) the materials may be published by IMATA in Proceedings or other IMATA publications, including the IMATA web site.

Inquires should be sent to Laura Yeates, via email at [email protected].

© Copyright 2015. All of the abstracts contained within Proceedings are the personal views of the respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of IMATA, its Chief Editors, or its Board of Directors.

IMATA1200 S. Lake Shore DriveChicago, Illinois 60605 USAPHONE 1.312.692.3193FAX 1.312.939.2216www.imata.org

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72 Proceedings 2015 / Guest Speaker

IMATA

73Proceedings 2015

imata proceedings 2015 / bahamas

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