Training a Giraffe (<i>Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata</i>) for Voluntary Foot Radiographs at Dubai Safari Park
When 0.1 Reticulated Giraffe (<i>Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata</i>) began displaying signs of lameness and a persistent swelling of the front left pastern joint, an operant based training program was created for front foot radiographs to diagnose and better manage lameness. Using a p...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/3/4/51 |
| _version_ | 1797456785783652352 |
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| author | Demi Booth Amos Kamau Henry Kayondo Anna Mae Sumaya Muhammad Waseem Ashraf |
| author_facet | Demi Booth Amos Kamau Henry Kayondo Anna Mae Sumaya Muhammad Waseem Ashraf |
| author_sort | Demi Booth |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | When 0.1 Reticulated Giraffe (<i>Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata</i>) began displaying signs of lameness and a persistent swelling of the front left pastern joint, an operant based training program was created for front foot radiographs to diagnose and better manage lameness. Using a protected contact set up, behaviour was shaped using a positive reinforcement procedure. A series of cued behaviors were trained and used to obtain dorsolateral palmar medial oblique front foot radiographs to aid vets in diagnosing the cause of lameness. By training giraffes for foot radiographs, potential causes of lameness could be identified and better managed. Long-term, the results may help zoos identify best practices for managing and preventing lameness in giraffe and subsequently improve welfare. Training animals to participate in their own medical care can improve welfare by giving them a sense of control within the situation. Training for medical procedures helps to reduce the stress imposed on the giraffe and the associated risks compared to alternative methods. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:12:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5a7d44e72fc841b19ec41aa0aec6a083 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-5636 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:12:51Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens |
| spelling | doaj.art-5a7d44e72fc841b19ec41aa0aec6a0832023-11-24T16:04:56ZengMDPI AGJournal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens2673-56362022-12-013468869810.3390/jzbg3040051Training a Giraffe (<i>Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata</i>) for Voluntary Foot Radiographs at Dubai Safari ParkDemi Booth0Amos Kamau1Henry Kayondo2Anna Mae Sumaya3Muhammad Waseem Ashraf4Zoology Department, Dubai Safari Park, Dubai P.O. Box 67, United Arab EmiratesZoology Department, Dubai Safari Park, Dubai P.O. Box 67, United Arab EmiratesZoology Department, Dubai Safari Park, Dubai P.O. Box 67, United Arab EmiratesZoology Department, Dubai Safari Park, Dubai P.O. Box 67, United Arab EmiratesVeterinary Department, Dubai Safari Park, Dubai P.O. Box 67, United Arab EmiratesWhen 0.1 Reticulated Giraffe (<i>Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata</i>) began displaying signs of lameness and a persistent swelling of the front left pastern joint, an operant based training program was created for front foot radiographs to diagnose and better manage lameness. Using a protected contact set up, behaviour was shaped using a positive reinforcement procedure. A series of cued behaviors were trained and used to obtain dorsolateral palmar medial oblique front foot radiographs to aid vets in diagnosing the cause of lameness. By training giraffes for foot radiographs, potential causes of lameness could be identified and better managed. Long-term, the results may help zoos identify best practices for managing and preventing lameness in giraffe and subsequently improve welfare. Training animals to participate in their own medical care can improve welfare by giving them a sense of control within the situation. Training for medical procedures helps to reduce the stress imposed on the giraffe and the associated risks compared to alternative methods.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/3/4/51giraffeoperant trainingfoot radiographslamenesswelfare |
| spellingShingle | Demi Booth Amos Kamau Henry Kayondo Anna Mae Sumaya Muhammad Waseem Ashraf Training a Giraffe (<i>Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata</i>) for Voluntary Foot Radiographs at Dubai Safari Park Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens giraffe operant training foot radiographs lameness welfare |
| title | Training a Giraffe (<i>Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata</i>) for Voluntary Foot Radiographs at Dubai Safari Park |
| title_full | Training a Giraffe (<i>Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata</i>) for Voluntary Foot Radiographs at Dubai Safari Park |
| title_fullStr | Training a Giraffe (<i>Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata</i>) for Voluntary Foot Radiographs at Dubai Safari Park |
| title_full_unstemmed | Training a Giraffe (<i>Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata</i>) for Voluntary Foot Radiographs at Dubai Safari Park |
| title_short | Training a Giraffe (<i>Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata</i>) for Voluntary Foot Radiographs at Dubai Safari Park |
| title_sort | training a giraffe i giraffa camelopardalis reticulata i for voluntary foot radiographs at dubai safari park |
| topic | giraffe operant training foot radiographs lameness welfare |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/3/4/51 |
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