Summary of The art of training – Zoo Atlanta:
Zoo Atlanta offers an animal experience where visitors can watch a goat named Simon to create a painting. Training Simon to paint is similar to the process of creating art. Artists often plan before starting a new painting by making sketches and testing materials. Similarly, animal care professionals use shaping plans to train animals, breaking down desired behaviors into step-by-step instructions. Simon’s shaping plan for painting includes holding the brush for a certain amount of time, following verbal cues, and receiving snacks as reinforcement. Animal training at the zoo is based on positive reinforcement, and animals can choose whether or not to participate. Care team members look for certain qualities in animals, similar to elements and principles of design in art, that make them suitable for specific behaviors. Both creating art and training animals require time, knowledge, and skill. Just like artists revise their work, trained animals continue to practice their behaviors to improve their skills. Training a goat to be an artist is a complex process that requires dedication and practice.
Summary:
1. Introduction to the unique and fascinating aspect of training animals at Zoo Atlanta.
2. The similarities between animal training and the artistic process.
3. The importance of shaping plans in training animals.
4. The design elements and principles in art and animal training.
5. The complexity of training animals and the need for time, knowledge, and skill.
As some may know, Zoo Atlanta offers a unique animal experience where visitors can watch a talented goat artist create a painting right before their eyes. This experience showcases the incredible training efforts that go into shaping the behavior of our animal artists. The training is an art form that shares many similarities with the creative art-making process. This article will explore the fascinating aspects of training animals and how it relates to the artistic process.
When artists begin a new piece, they often start with rough sketches and test different materials before working on a larger canvas. Similarly, animal care professionals use shaping plans to guide their training efforts. Shaping plans outline the step-by-step process of working towards a specific behavior with an animal. For example, Simon, our goat artist, has a shaping plan for painting that includes criteria such as holding the paintbrush for a certain amount of time and specific verbal cues. Just like an artist, Simon’s progress is reinforced with rewards, such as snacks. It’s important to note that all animal training at Zoo Atlanta is done through positive reinforcement, meaning the animals always have a choice to participate.
Artists carefully consider color, contrast, and texture when creating an aesthetically pleasing piece. Similarly, care team members at Zoo Atlanta look for specific animal traits to determine their suitability for certain behaviors. Simon’s inclination to investigate with his mouth makes him a great candidate for painting behavior. He also enjoys being the center of attention, which adds to the experience for visitors. Like art, certain qualities make animals well-suited for specific behaviors, creating a visually captivating encounter.
The creation of art and the training of animals are complex processes that require time, knowledge, and skill. Just as artists revise their work and seek inspiration, trained animals continue to practice their behaviors to maintain and improve their skills. It’s a continuous process of learning and growth. Skill development takes time and practice; you never know when a burst of artistic inspiration may strike!
In conclusion, the art of training animals at Zoo Atlanta is a fascinating and unique aspect of the zoo. It shares many similarities with the artistic process, from using shaping plans to considering elements and principles. Both practices require time, knowledge, and skill to achieve desired outcomes. By exploring the training of our animal artists, we gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and beauty of animals and their abilities. So next time you visit Zoo Atlanta, take a moment to admire the incredible artistry that goes into training our animal ambassadors.
