Vienna: Husbandry and Medical Training
Posted by Jola
Foot care is not a problem! Indian rhinoceros female Sundari, Eveline and Helmut, Tiergarten Schönbrunn, 2nd January 2012
Foot care, little doctoring wounds, administer eye drops, weight control, are moving from point A to point B, etc. for the horned rhinoceros Jang and Sundari no problem. Since in March 2006 at the age of eight and three years in the Rhino Park are fed at the zoo, their carers and make regular Husbandry Medical training with them. This facilitates not only in everyday life to deal with the gray giants. It also strengthens the trust between man and animal, allows various medical studies without anesthesia, offers a mental challenge for the rhinos, and last but not least is a welcome change in Zooalltag.
The training is based on the principles of positive reinforcement (rewarding desired behavior is reinforced by) and (repeated voluntarily follow animal behavior, the consequences popular) operative conditioning. When Sundari and Jang is the reward by whistle and administration of most popular pieces of fruit and vegetables. The target is stationed at the back of the hand of the supervisor. The training will be completed by clapping on the part of the supervisor.
Foot care for Sundari. Sundari, Eveline and Helmut (behind Sundari) 12 June 2009
Foot care for Jang - creaming the sole! Jang and Eveline, 2nd January 2012
Desensitization by touch! Jang and Eveline, 25 August 2011
Desensitization by brushing! Jang with Eveline and Helmut, 2nd January 2012
The two rhinos during the trainings with attention and love. Rhino bull Jang (15 years old, 1500 kg) is through his eye problems - he is blind in his right eye - a little handicapped, but would still like taking part in the training. However, it can not be rushed. The treats are eaten with relish, as the supervisors have to wait until it is finished (see video).
Jang goes to Target = hand of the supervisor. Jang also recognizes the hand so that it must be moved! Jang, Helmut, 2nd January 2012
Rhino females Sundari (9 years old, 1000 kg) is very eager to learn, for example, can also ultrasound examinations. She has also learned to lie down on command.
Sundi lies down on command down too! Sundari with Eveline and Michael, 25 August 2011
Both the indoor and the outdoor facilities are changed regularly, the animals are not restricted to a specific location for the training. In addition to weekly training sessions are every day before the inlet into the house a mini-unit will be stationed briefly at the Sundari and Jang during the opening of the gates near the entrance area. This prevents one hand that the rhinos storming into the house and possibly crashing against the still closed door. On the other hand, it provides a good opportunity for the supervisors take a look at the animals up close.
Before they are allowed into the house, have the rhinos stop short - for a piece of banana they do so very happy! Sundari with Eveline, 12 June 2009
Jang at the entrance before the inlet into the house, 18 April 2011
Husbandry and medical training with Jang, Sundari, animal trainer, Dr. Eveline Dungl and district manager Helmut Ulzer, video recorded on 2 January 2012 at the zoo:
About the rhinos: Sundari , born 2003, and Jang , born in 1997, animal orphans from the Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal. Due to their strong influence on people developed both to "problem-rhino" and could not be reintroduced. Since 2006, they live in the Vienna Zoo .
(Photos: Connie Belik, Jola Belik, Video: Jola Belik)
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