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Summary of Description:
The content concerns training Oakley, a male eastern screech owl, to voluntarily come out for programs while his brother Cedar participates in Zootroop programs. Great American Insurance Group sponsors the video and promotes the Cincinnati Zoo.
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Oakley the Eastern Screech Owl: Voluntarily Coming Out for Programs
Oakley, a male Eastern Screech Owl, is one of the stars at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, where he participates in the Zootroop programs. This beautiful creature and his brother Cedar, both native of the area, could be out and about in any weather conditions at the zoo. Training Oakley to come out for programs voluntarily has been an amazing experience. The zoo recently posted a video of him flying out of his cage for a training session. Explore this video further and see what training an owl-like Oakley takes.
Building Trust and Encouragement
When we talk about training exotic animals, the first thing that comes to mind is building trust and encouragement. It’s no different for Oakley. The video starts with the bird being called out by name to come out of his cage. The trainer then opens the door slowly while talking to him gently. Oakley hesitates initially, and the trainer has to call him out a few more times before he emerges from the cage.
Giving Space and Freedom
Once Oakley is out of his cage, he is given enough space and freedom to move around in a designated area. The trainer uses a clicker to mark his good behavior and rewards him with small bits of food. This technique is known as positive reinforcement, and it helps the owl associate the behavior with the reward. The trainer also uses a target stick to guide Oakley and encourages him to move from one spot to another. Oakley seems to be enjoying the interaction with the trainer and is responding well to the cues.
Flight Training and Confidence Building
The most exciting moment in the video is when Oakley takes his first flight outside his cage. The trainer walks a little away from him and encourages him to fly toward him. Oakley takes off from the ground, flaps his wings for a few seconds, and lands on the trainer’s glove. This exercise is crucial as it builds Oakley’s confidence and also helps him improve his flight skills.
In Conclusion
Training an animal like Oakley is no easy task. It takes time, patience, and lots of care. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is known for its exceptional animal welfare practices, and this video is just one example of its dedication to the animals in their care. It’s heartening to see how Oakley responds to the trainer’s cues and how much he enjoys the interaction. Hopefully, this video will inspire people to learn more about this incredible species and take action to ensure their conservation.
You can donate through their website to support Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. You can also follow them on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date with their latest events and activities.
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Source Description
Oakley is a male eastern screech owl. We are training him to come out voluntarily for programs. His brother, Cedar, has been going to Zootroop programs. These guys are native, so that they could be out/about in the zoo in any weather. This great video is brought to you by Great American Insurance Group. #shorts
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