Archive for Ed-zoo-cation

Seasons Change but the Animals Remain

October 7, 2009 · Filed under Animal Enrichment Program, Docent Diaries, Ed-zoo-cation · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s really starting to look and feel like autumn around the Zoo this week. Colorful leaves twirling down from the branches like little helicopters and crisp breezes rippling across the Wetlands.

In the wild, Season change has dramatic effects on animals— predators and herbivores alike become more serious about building up their reserves of fat and fur before the winter starts. But here at the Zoo, each animal’s climate is controlled to keep them in their optimum comfort zones year round. Of course, that doesn’t seem to stop the Bison’s winter fur from getting thicker and longer, or the Snow Leopard from gazing off wistfully at some soon-to-come snowbound landscape.

School is in session again and so the kids I have been seeing here on weekdays tend to be mostly pre-schoolers. These are kids who, perhaps for the first time, are seeing Penguins and Seals and miniature Guinea Hogs up close and personal.  It’s great to watch them point and laugh.  Over at the Gibbons’ exhibit, a group of youngsters are thoroughly entertained by one of the playful apes who grabs a page from a magazine that’s been put into their cage for enrichment, and swings briskly up to his perch where he appears to actually be “reading,” or at least enjoying the pictures.

The Giant Anteaters are outside together now most of the time and they seem to be gradually getting less formal with each other. I actually witnessed a few friendly nose-bumps as they passed each other. Pretty soon it will be too cold for them outside so they’ll be coming inside where the climate stays at the warm and comfy levels they refer.

Life for animals here at RWPZoo certainly has some definite advantages.

By Rob Mariani
RWPZoo Docent

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“Ed”venturous Travels with Zoo Camp on the Move

July 28, 2009 · Filed under Ed-zoo-cation, Uncategorized

ZCOTM Campers Share Their Wildest Poses

ZCOTM Campers Share Their Wildest Poses

Hello,

My name is Chris Hitchener and I coordinate the RWPZoo’s Zoo Camp on the Move (ZCOTM) program.  When I joined the education department in the fall of 2002, the camp had 40-60 participants.  Last summer we accommodated about 220 participants split into three separate camps; Natural Navigators (ages 11-13), “Ed”-venturous Travels (ages 14-17), and Family Camp (parents with children age 9-12).

 The purpose of ZCOTM is to get community members to use their inspiration from visiting the zoo and explore their own backyard.  We combine play, naturalist, and science based education techniques to foster appreciation and interest for our local wildlife.  Coupled with the philosophy “think globally act locally”, we use inspiration from global conservation efforts to develop curriculum about what is happening in Rhode Island and throughout New England.  The zoo plays a vital role by bringing these issues to the public and sparking environmental curiosity.  From there we can connect people to local issues and other local environmental organizations they might not be aware of. 

 In the past, camp participants have worked with; the Audubon Society of RI, Norman Bird Sanctuary, DEM of RI/MA/NH, the Nature Conservancy, Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association, REI, South Kingstown Parks and Rec., the University of RI, the Environmental Council of RI, Mystic Aquarium, Save the Bay, Pequot Museum, the Ecotarium, Carabiner Rock Gym, Stepping Stone Horse Ranch, the RI Natural History Museum, the RI Botanical Center, New Hampshire Fish and Game, Wickford’s Ocean Odysseys, The Good Earth Organic Garden Center, and Captain John’s Whale Watch.

 It’s quite a list, but it’s just a tiny fraction of the many environmental organizations found in the region.  Starting with the youngest travel camp, Natural Navigators, participants begin their week monitoring amphibian populations at Lincoln Woods State Park and North Burial Ground.  They split into small groups to test water quality for dissolved oxygen, pH, phosphates and nitrates.  They fill out work-sheets recording location, air temperature, precipitation history, and species of Amphibians found.  One rainy Monday morning I was with a group just off the side of the parking lot in a small flooded vernal pool.  We discovered four species of frogs, two salamander species (as nymphs), a great horned owl feather, a towhee, great blue heron, and a variety of aquatic macro-invertebrates all within 20 minutes after arriving.

 On Tuesdays we visit Stepping Stone Falls in Exeter, RI.  The falls cascade on a slight decline over 100 feet.  There is a small loop trail for the kids to explore, but by far the favorite activity is playing at the falls and building boats out of nature materials.  It’s fun to see if the boats can make it over the falls.  Wednesday we get in our very own boats to learn basic kayaking with Denise Poyer at the Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association.  Kids kayak up to a place called frying pan pond where they get to explore the reed grass and discover painted turtles, kingfishers, blue herons, swifts, and osprey fishing.  The second half of the day is spent testing the health of the river according to the diversity of aquatic “bugs” found in the water.  Of course that doesn’t stop us from finding things like banded water snakes, musk turtle, and mink living along the river’s edge.

 Thursdays we meet Doug Sommers from Wickford’s Ocean Odyssey.  Doug has a great operation out of Wickford where he does cadet training on the bay.  He leads us on a survival course (I was happy to discover that one of his educators is a previous ZCOTM camper).  He sets the stage by taking the group out onto Wickford Harbor in his trusty sea vessel, the “General”.  The kids imagine what it would be like to get stranded on a deserted island.  Doug drops the group off along the beach at a protected cove where activities are ready to go.  What I like most about the cast away program is watching the kids work together and use critical thinking.  They get to be creative and innovative in a safe and fun environment.

 Fridays are the final Hoorah for camp.  We visit the Galilee Mud Flats and Point Judith for coastal exploration.  At the mud flats the campers learn about the salt marsh, why it’s important, and some of the biodiversity that lives within the mud.  The group can discover fiddler crabs, mummichogs, horseshoe crabs, and quahogs.  Next they travel through the small fishing town of Galilee to see a community that is dependant on the health of its environment.  As we drive through, the kids can see lobster boats, fishing boats, charter boats, tour boats, ferry boats, clamming boats, tug boats, and even research boats.  After a quick drive we end up at Point Judith.  For our final few hours together campers can explore the Harbor of Refuge using masks and snorkels.  They look for sea stars, flounder, crabs, and bass or join a guided trip out to the eel grass and learn about its niche in the ecosystem.  Some days we take walks along the coast to visit the light house and talk about ships that have periled on the rocky shore.  On a really good summer day you can see Block Island in the distance!!

 This gives you an idea of some of the adventures we have during Natural Navigators.  I think I could write a book about all the wildlife we have seen over the years.  The best part is that it’s all around us, all the time, waiting for us to learn its story. 

Stay tuned to hear about our adventures with “Ed”venturous Travels and Family Walkabouts.   For more information on our travel camps or to register you can visit http://www.rwpzoo.org/education/Zoocamp.cfm#summer

 

See you outside!

 

-Chris

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Greetings From ZooCamp!

June 16, 2009 · Filed under Animal Enrichment Program, Behind the Scenes with a Zookeeper, Conservation, Ed-zoo-cation, Kids & Critters · Tagged , , , , , , , ,

 

We had a wonderful first day of Summer ZooCamp yesterday, learning about all things with wings.  We started with birds and learned that bird wings aren’t just for flying – they’re for camouflage, attracting mates, showing dominance and warning away predators too!  We made a “flashy flyer” – our very own brightly colored bird and took a trip into the rose garden where we learned about why and how birds, their eggs and their chicks are camouflaged.  Being camouflage experts, we took turns hiding our own bird/egg/chick and being foxes or snakes searching for them in the grass.  For snack we made “bird seed” – individualized concoctions of popcorn, chocolate chips, cereal, raisins and marshmallows and learned that birds eat half their body weight each day!  In our animal interviews we met a pigeon, a radiated tortoise and a leopard gecko.   

Here is an activity you might want to try with your kids tonight:

Build a Bird

Birds come in all shapes, sizes and colors – and all for very special and very different reasons.  Visit the website (http://www.rwpzoo.org/education/KidsNCritters.cfm) to download the the templates of bird beaks, heads and legs to build a bird with your child.  How does your bird’s head, beak and leg shape help it to survive?  Take it one step further and create a name and habitat for your bird! 

Until tomorrow,

 Jen Karow – Manager of Family Programs

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A Dream Come True at the Zoo

December 18, 2008 · Filed under Ed-zoo-cation, Jen's Den, Tena Tails of "Wild" Adventures, Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jen and Vincent the wallaby

Jen and Vincent the wallaby

Please allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Jen and I am absolutely thrilled to be the new Environmental Educator here at Roger Williams Park Zoo. 

I have always dreamed of being an instructor at the Zoo, and when Tena (of “Tena Tails” blog fame) left to follow her own dream of becoming a zookeeper, my dream also came true.  How it happened, and how I came to be writing this very blog, is one of those stories that proves “everything happens for a reason.”

Before finding my way to the Zoo, I majored in English at the University of Rhode Island and had been working in the business world for 10 years.  I used to read Tena’s blog faithfully.  I remember wishing that I could work with animals and children full time.  I have always had a very strong connection to the Earth and all her creatures.  I find joy and solace in nature.  My wishing led me to the RWP Zoo website, which led me to Tena’s blog, which led me to the job postings site.  

On one hand, I couldn’t imagine finding a position here at the Zoo that I would be qualified for although, in my heart of hearts, I knew that if I looked hard enough and followed my path, it would lead me exactly where I was supposed to be.  Low and behold, there was a position that I was qualified for.  Americorps had an entry level assignment at the Zoo in Environmental Education.  I took a leap of faith and was hired.  I was absolutely astounded that I was finally living out my childhood dream.  I would be the woman with the owl on her arm who came to schools in the Zoomobile!

The only obstacle seemed to be that the position was temporary.  I poured my heart and soul into my job.  I learned as much as I could about all of the animals I was working with.  I became very good friends with Tena who has mentored me.  We have similar backgrounds, making the transition from the business world to education.  As Tena followed her path, mine opened up.  Encouraged by my friends and family, as well as all of my new friends in the education department here at the Zoo, I applied for Tena’s position as the full time Environmental Educator and was hired.  I cried when the offer was made.  I truly believe dreams come true when you listen to your heart. 

So, here I am, living out my childhood dream.  Reading Tena’s Zoo blog – and now having my own - has changed my life.  I feel honored to be a part of the Zoo family. 

I welcome and encourage any of your questions or comments.  Please let me know what topics you would like addressed and I will be more than happy to oblige.  I look forward to many more entries and making many more new friends!

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Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

June 2, 2008 · Filed under Tena Tails of "Wild" Adventures · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

OK, I admit it: I’ve been horribly remiss in my blogging duties lately.  We are deep in the midst of the craziness that is the spring.  Spring is the time when the weather turns nice and the end of the school year is nigh.  Both of these things bring people and schools to the zoo.  This is also the time of the year that is the absolute busiest for Zoomobiles.  So please forgive me for not being as steady a blogger as I should be.

 

Lots of changes have taken place here this spring.  The red panda is on exhibit – where he sleeps very cutely most of the time, the red-crowned cranes are back in their old exhibit (next to the red panda), the Flutterby exhibit has opened (summer butterfly extravaganza!), work is progressing quickly in the elephant yard, and we have two new education animals: a barn owl and an armadillo. 

As if all that weren’t enough – there are also big changes for me.  I have taken a position as a zookeeper at Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro MA and will be leaving Roger Williams Park Zoo next week. While I am very excited about the new challenges and experiences to be had as a zookeeper, it is a bittersweet time for me.  This means leaving a group of people I consider family and a group of animals that mean the world to me. 

When I was offered the position I was over the moon with excitement and didn’t think much further than that.  I hung up the phone from accepting the position and arranging a start date and went straight into the education center to teach an on-grounds zoomobile.  As fate would have it, Loki was one of the animals I was bringing out for this program.  I was still on cloud nine about the job offer when I brought him into the room.  He was the last animal of the day for this class. 

I’m talking along and I look over at Loki.  He is sitting there looking back at me with his head slightly cocked to the side, like he does.  My eyes filled with tears and my voice started to break.  It hit me like a ton of bricks that this meant I was leaving Loki.  Obviously I couldn’t break down and cry in front of the seventh graders from St. Stanislaus School, so I cleared my throat and mentioned allergies and got through the rest of the program.  But there was no going back from that realization.  I was leaving Loki, Dakota, Willie, my rat-a-tat-tats, my pre-schoolers, my zoocampers, my friends, and everything else here.  While I am still extremely excited I am also shedding a lot of tears.  Don’t think badly of me, but I’m crying right now.

 

However, just like on Broadway – the show must go on!!  The behind the scenes blogging will continue on!  Other members of the education staff will take over writing the entries.  They will introduce you to the new education animals (honestly, the barn owl is too amazingly cute and interesting for words!) and keep you posted on what’s going on.  And I will have one more entry for you: next week I will introduce you to the other members of the education staff and say so long and good night.

 

Now, excuse me but I must go and blow my nose and clean my face.  I’ll see you all next week.

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When the dinner bell rings….

April 25, 2008 · Filed under Tena Tails of "Wild" Adventures · Tagged , , , , ,

A Gibbon Enjoys a Squash Treat at Roger Williams Park ZooThe second question that Ms Bragg’s class asked had to do with what the animals here at the zoo eat. They wanted to know who decides what eats what and how we decide what eats what. The answer is remarkably similar to how we decide about their exhibits: we look to what their wild counterparts eat. Certain animals eat certain things. The three big categories are herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore. Herbivores eat only plants, carnivores eat mostly meat, and omnivores eat both. There are other smaller categories, though. Insectivores eat insects; frugivores eat fruit; foliovores eat leaves. I could go on and on but you get the point. So, we look at what different foods they would eat in the wild. If they eat mostly insects and some plants, we give them a lot of crickets and a little bit of herp salad (salad for reptiles!). If they eat a lot of plants and a few insects in the wild, we give them a lot of herp salad and a few crickets. If they eat mostly fruit and some leaves and insects in the wild, we copy that here. Again, I could go on and on but I think you see what I’m saying.

One of our vets oversees the nutrition of our animals here at the zoo. He takes the information that we know from the wild animals to decide what types of food we will give them, but he also looks at how active they are here to decide how much to give them. It’s kind of a constant battle to not let the animals get overweight. After all, in the wild they have to hunt or forage for their food and here we deliver it to them. Each animal is given a specific diet each day. That diet is prepared especially for that animal by our commissary staff (think of them as kind of like the people who make school lunch!) and picked up by the keepers to be given to the animals every day.

But where does the food come from? Very good question! There is a company that makes food for many of our animals – just like cat and dog food! And all of our fish and produce (fruits and vegetables) are restaurant quality – which means they are as good as the stuff we eat when we go to a restaurant. And let’s not forget the hay. Lots and lots and lots of hay. Tractor trailers full of hay!

I will sign off today with a new segment: “Crazy things kids say…”. I’m always amazed at some of the things I hear kids say or that are said to me by kids. It is absolutely all I can do to keep a straight face sometimes! So, I will start sharing some of these with you guys – so you can laugh along with me. Here are two from this week:

I do a lot of afterschool programs where I see the same kids week after week. I’ve been going to this one school for afterschools for 3 years and know the kids pretty well. In turn this means they feel very comfortable and familiar with me. This week as I started I said, “So, this week we’ll be talking about…” and one of the boys in the class said “Your new hairdo?!” (I was wearing my hair differently, but I still almost laughed out loud)

During a preschool class at a school one little boy said, “Alligators have legs and can swim? Wow, my brain needs a little rest!”

Have a great week everyone!

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Home, Home at the Zoo

April 10, 2008 · Filed under Ed-zoo-cation, Tena Tails of "Wild" Adventures · Tagged , , , , , , ,

Snow Leopard By Mike BordenMs. Bragg’s classes asked about how we come up with the design for the animal exhibits, so I thought I would let everyone in on this process while I answer their question. I’m using the snow leopards as an example since their exhibit has so many cool things that are there just because there are snow leopards that live there.

There is usually a group of people that get together and decide on an animal’s exhibit design before the animal arrives so the exhibit can be all finished and comfy when the animal gets out of quarantine. One of our curators, the lead keeper in the area, and the primary keeper for the animal are the main members of this group. Other members include someone from operations (the people who either build the exhibit or hire the people that build the exhibit), other keepers that may have worked with this animal at another zoo, and the interpretive manager (she’s from the education department). The first task of the group is to learn all they can about how the animal lives in the wild – what it’s wild habitat looks like, how the animal moves around in it’s natural habitat, what sort of food they eat, how do they find/catch/scavenge their food, what sort of sleeping space do they have in the wild, are they naturally secretive animals? These are all questions that must be answered. Once this knowledge is all gathered and discussed the design for the animal’s exhibit starts to form itself based on the answers to the questions.

From that point, everyone looks at other aspects of the design – like the behind the scenes areas. How will the keeper access the area? Does there need to be protective doors and caging between the keeper and the animal at all times? How will the animal shift from the inside holding area to the exhibit? How will veterinary procedures be performed on this animal and in this space? Again, all the answers to these questions determine how the behind the scenes areas will look. After that is determined, another critical eye at safety – for the animal, the keeper, and the public. And then the education representative helps determine what graphics and messaging will be on the outside graphics (those things that are up for you to read and learn about the animal and their natural habitat).

Let’s look at the snow leopard as an example. First of all, snow leopards are found in the Himalayan mountain range. There, they hunt wild mountain sheep and goats that live there as well. Both the predator and the prey are excellent at leaping and jumping around on the bare rocks that make up the mountainside. (that’s why the snow leopard has such a long tail – to help them balance while they make their spectacular leaps) The design of the fur of the snow leopard gives them perfect cover to sneak as close as possible to their prey before they pounce. So, when it came to designing the exhibit – it was only natural that it look like the rocky side of a high mountain range. Did we bring boulders from the Himalayas? Nope. We hired someone to create the look of rocks out of lots of chicken wire and a plaster/concrete mix. So, it looks and sort of feels like the rocky side of a high mountain range. The cats feel love all the natural nooks and ledges that can be found tucked into the fake rocks. This is where they can usually be found during the day. You have to look hard to find them there because they blend right in! And since they can jump around these ledges so well they may be at the tippy-top of the exhibit. Since snow leopards are such great jumpers – can actually jump a little over 32 feet with one pounce – and are such great climbers there is a net of chain link over the top of the exhibit. It is high enough that the cats can still jump and pounce and even climb part of the tree that is there but it keeps the cats from springing out over the side of the exhibit and wandering through the park.

As for the inside holding areas, since leopards are big, predatory cats the keepers do not go in with them. Therefore the area had to have two sets of doors. When the animals shift in for the night (the door is in the back of the exhibit and when they go in it looks like they are going into a cave!) they go through one door, through a small hallway, and into their holding spaces (which are also filled with ledges and cubbies for the cats to sleep). And this entire area has protective bars around it so the keepers are never in the same space as the cats.

Other animals wouldn’t find this exhibit very hospitable. Take the camels, for instance. They can’t climb so all those chicken-wire rocks would be lost on them. But the snow leopards also wouldn’t be able to live in the camel exhibit either. All that sand in their toes would probably make for a cranky cat.

So, this is what goes into creating a new exhibit. We happen to be in the middle of building one right now for our brandy-y new red panda. The grand opening for that exhibit is set (tentatively) for the end of May. I’ll keep you posted on how things are going down there so you may be able to see the process take place before your very eyes. And make sure to check back in next week to find out how we decide who gets what to eat, and how much.

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Comments, Comments, Comments!

April 4, 2008 · Filed under Ed-zoo-cation, Tena Tails of "Wild" Adventures · Tagged , , , , , ,

TenrecI really love getting comments for this little blog thing I’m doing – it reminds me there are actually people reading it! And since I appreciate the feedback so much I’m going to respond to some of those comments every so often. This way you guys will know I’m actually reading your comments.

When I wrote about training little Stevie I got a comment from Dean, the founder of the Fish School. “What’s Fish School?” you may be asking yourself. It’s a really cool, interactive website all about training fish to do really cool tricks. If only I had read that before I went to that workshop I wouldn’t have been so terrified! Seriously, some of the video clips and descriptions are VERY cool. You can check them out yourself at www.fish-school.com. While you’re there check out Dean’s blog – he blogged about my blog. Only on the internet!

Someone asked about Hyde, our Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec. The tenrecs are one of the animals that people are most confused about when they first see them. Most people guess that they are either a hedgehog or a porcupine. The picture of our tenrec shows exactly why those are the most common guesses. But the tenrecs are neither hedgehogs nor porcupines; they are their own family of animals. There are 24 known species of tenrecs and they all live in Madagascar and Africa. The lesser hedgehog tenrec is found on Madagascar and lives in either the trees or on land. They eat insects and worms and grubs. The reason most people automatically think of a hedgehog or a porcupine when they see the tenrec is because of the spiny fur that covers their body. This is how they protect themselves from predators. When threatened they can roll themselves into balls and stick out their spines to discourage other animals from bothering them. Tenrecs are nocturnal and spend their nights scouring for food and their days sleeping in fallen logs or in the hollows of trees. We have two tenrecs – Jekyll and Hyde.

A very interesting comment came from Ashley Bragg, a teacher in North Carolina. She teaches at an elementary school in NC and is focusing on technology in the classroom. So, a great big hello to the K-2 students at Union Grove Elementary School in NC. They asked that I do some interactive Q & A with their students so for the next couple of weeks I will be responding to a couple of their questions via this blog. Everyone should come along and learn with us because I’m going to give behind the scenes looks at how we design exhibits for our animals and who and how the animals’ diets are decided. Should be fun for all!

On a personal note: Hey to Cassy and Bryan – friends who have commented. And to Alexis and Mary Lynne – I miss you guys too!

 

See everyone next week!

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GO OUTSIDE!

March 28, 2008 · Filed under Ed-zoo-cation, Tena Tails of "Wild" Adventures · Tagged , ,

A Family on the Wetlands TrailI’ve been working on this entry that replied to some of the comments I have received, but that will have to wait until another day – I just got inspired!  After work I went for a walk around the park.  Not on zoo grounds, in the park.  I took the path by the lake. I was not alone.  There was a pair of muskrat frolicking in the water.  That’s right, muskrats.  Rats that have webbed feet and waterproof fur and spend most of their time in the water.  And there they were, the first ones I’ve seen this year.  Frolicking even.  The grackles are back from their winter stay in the south.  They are in the park (and zoo) by the hundreds.  A noisy lot they are too!  The red-winged blackbirds have made their way back to the park and zoo as well.  Both these and the other birds that have come home are beginning their nest preparations.  Conveniently the flamingos are starting their spring molt and many of these birds will line their nests with bright pink flamingo feathers!! I saw my first mockingbird of the season too.  Mockingbirds are a favorite of mine as they are the state bird of Tennessee, which is where I’m from.  And mockingbirds truly mock – there was one that spent a few days in a tree outside my window giving a dead on impersonation of my cat Pudge’s meow.  Finally, as I was finishing my walk and heading back to the zoo to get in my car and go home a huge red-tailed hawk flew from a tree and soared right over my head.  He was taking the remnants of his final catch of the day back to the nest with him.  All I could do was stand there and say, “Wow”!

Often we think we have to go to far away places to see cool wildlife.  All we really have to do is go outside.  Walk around your neighborhood.  Take the entire family to one of the many fantastic Audubon refuges in the state.  Go to a pond or wetland – the turtles and frogs will be back and visible soon.  Just get outside and discover all the wonderful wildlife we have right here!

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Little Stevie

March 7, 2008 · Filed under Ed-zoo-cation, Tena Tails of "Wild" Adventures · Tagged , , , , , ,

Little StevieSo, last week I trained a fish – Stevie. Yep, that’s right. I trained a fish. Perhaps I should start at the beginning. When I first started thinking about training the program animals here I researched various animal training workshops. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) offers one every February at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Last year it was full. This year I made sure I was one of the first one’s to turn in my application. So for the past year I’ve been eagerly awaiting this workshop that would help me tweak and hone my meager training skills. Finally the week had come.

Day one we meet our instructors – some of the best known animals trainers in the world. It was a little intimidating I must admit but they were all wonderfully down to earth and inspiring. The excitement happened at the end of the day when we found out what animal we would be training for the week. We had all been anxiously wondering about this all day. There were three different species that were being trained: rats, alligators (baby), and fish. I got the fish.

At first I was not excited. I think I was a little overwhelmed by the question, “How in the world do you train a fish?” Quite honestly I was afraid I would not be able to do it. We got our natural history sheets and went back to the hotel assigned with the task of coming up with a training/shaping plan for the behavior we would attempt to train our animals. After reading about our fish (a couple of different species of cichlids) I came up with my behavior: at the very least I would target Stevie (our animals were all named after our first crushes, by the way) to a laser, my dream ultimate behavior was to cue him through a hoop. The first day’s lecture had prepared us to come up with realistic plans based on the animal’s life in the wild. I was cautiously optimistic.

To make a week-long story a little shorter, Stevie was fantastic. He went right to the laser and was consistently targeting to the laser and following the laser on the first day. We added the mesh tunnel and he went right into it. Stevie actually seemed to enjoy the tunnel. Every morning when I came in he had moved the tunnel to a different place. I did have trouble figuring out how to make Stevie understand going through the tunnel on cue because he kept wanting to go through the mesh to get to the target instead of through the tunnel to get to the target. My wonderful training mentor, Michelle, helped me work through any problem I encountered. I made the mistakes I always make when training and she helped me see how easily these could be avoided. In the case of little Stevie, tunnel re-arranger and mesh-pusher that he was, we came up with the plan of pushing the tunnel against the front of the tank and weighting it with rocks. This way he couldn’t move it around during a training session and it took away the option of going to the front of the tank and trying to follow the laser through the mesh. It worked! Little Stevie started going through the tunnel to get to the laser and food that were waiting for him in the middle. I started moving the laser and food back little by little. We were almost there! Stevie would soon go through the tunnel just by my shining the laser at the far end. Then, Stevie stopped eating. And got a little green around the gills. And this happened right before our final presentations. The staff took Stevie and put him back in the aquarium he had come from so he could recover from whatever was ailing him. Little Stevie was written out of the fish group’s final presentation.

You would think that the ending of the week would have put a damper on the whole fish training thing. But it so didn’t. I had trained a fish. I knew it. I didn’t need to show it off. And in the process I had learned so much from all the wonderful instructors and the other participants in the class. My original goal for taking the class was to get more technical training knowledge but I came back with so much more, including more confidence in my training skills and a training process I could use for every animal I work with. I’ve even been practicing with my cats at home – the same cats that for years have been training me instead of the other way around. Stay tuned for more training footage and updates. I’m sure there will be lots of these now that I’ve trained little Stevie.

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