sarahmagoo

sarahmagoo t1_it79sqi wrote

Hot take: training marine mammals with positive reinforcement for shows is enriching and beneficial for the animal.

Zoos train animals all the time for husbandry reasons (step on scales, enter crate etc), the only difference between that training and training a dolphin to jump for a show is that one is entertaining to guests and one isn't.

This study suggests that shows are not stressful to dolphins.

> Any behavioral change that may be regarded as anticipatory behavior was not evidently abnormal or stereotypic in nature, and breathing rates remained stable indicating that the animals do not perceive the shows as stressful or as an aversive experience. Additionally, behavior and level of activity remained stable following the sessions.

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