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Figure 1: Reward food items<br />
Figure 2: Video Camera<br />
NISSIM<br />
• The first and second sessions were spent walking Nissim from one end of the PC wall to<br />
the other. When Nissim responded to the command ‘Nissim Come’, he was rewarded and<br />
praised.<br />
• Nissim was calm and came close-up to the PC wall with his head and responded well in a<br />
focused way.<br />
• Whilst moving Nissim around the facility, he was held at stations to allow safe<br />
opening/closing of gates. He rushed a few of the gates so this behaviour will not be<br />
encouraged<br />
• Between the 1 st and 2 nd sessions Nissim was moved into his night pen and Buta brought<br />
into the PC pen. Between the 2 nd -4 th sessions Nissim was held in the bull yard and finally<br />
released into the paddock with the herd.<br />
• Short sessions were held at Gate 2 (see gate plan Appendix 1) and also at Gate 3 to see if<br />
a more positive response was obtained.<br />
• In the 3 rd and 4 th sessions the target stick was introduced, but Nissim was not keen on this<br />
at all and flung his trunk at it. He became impatient, lost attention and began pacing, as if<br />
he had a phobia of the target. Without the target he performed again.<br />
BUTA<br />
• Buta showed high levels of aggression, charging the bars, hurtling about screaming and<br />
rushing the gates, she is not used to being separated from the herd<br />
• Both elephants seemed to dislike the area of the PC wall where vision is blocked by heavy<br />
steelwork i.e. the keeper gate and by Gate 4- hopefully in time they will get used to this<br />
• As each session progressed Buta calmed down and did not hurtle about or scream<br />
• 1 st session- Buta responded to command ‘Buta Come’ and was rewarded and praised,<br />
even when she showed aggression on approach<br />
• 2 nd session- Introduction of the target stick. She learnt quickly to come in close and touch<br />
the target onto her head. Any unwanted behaviours including bashing the target or lifting<br />
her trunk were not reinforced.<br />
• 3 rd and 4 th sessions were shorter, just reinforcing learnt behaviours. Buta wanted to return<br />
quickly to the herd<br />
Conclusions-<br />
• Overcoming Nissim’s phobia is key to progression<br />
• Alan stated aggressive bulls are easier to train
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