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Summary of Transcript:
The lead night keeper at Salido Zoo, Tara, trains R2 gray wolves Sandra and Loki to exhibit basic behaviors such as standing up or coming up close for examination and medical purposes. The Wolves are introduced indoors at night, as they are more focused and less distracted. The trainer finds it interesting to work with different animals and observes their behaviors, communication, and activities during the night when the zoo is closed. Treats such as beef heart or horse line were used, and the Wolves received special enrichment as a rabbit.
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Summary of Description:
It is a short and exciting video depicting animal training, and the hashtags are #shorts, #toledozoo, #toledoohio, #graywolf, #wolf, #wolves, #animaltraining, #zookeeper, #zoo, #zooanimals, and #coolanimals. The content shows Tara, the lead night keeper, training two gray wolves in Toledo Zoo, Ohio. The video features two gray wolves named Tundra and Loki.
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Gray Wolf Training with the Toledo Zoo’s Night Keeper
Gray wolves, also known as timber wolves, are fascinating creatures that are visually stunning and highly intelligent. At the Toledo Zoo, two incredible animals, Tundra and Loki, are receiving training from experienced zookeeper Tara. Join us as we follow Tara’s point of view during one of her wolf-training sessions.
Meeting Tundra and Loki
As Tara enters the wolf enclosure, two magnificent gray wolves greet her. Tundra and Loki are six years old and have been at the Toledo Zoo since they were pups. Tara welcomes the wolves with nice words and body language, letting them know she is there to work with them.
Training begins
Tara begins the training session by targeting, which involves teaching the wolves to touch a small, handheld target with their snouts. This form of positive reinforcement training builds trust and helps develop a bond between the keeper and the wolves. Tundra and Loki quickly learn what they are supposed to do and eagerly perform the behavior, receiving a treat as a reward.
Next, Tara moves on to training the wolves to present their paws, which is essential for their care and medical treatment. She demonstrates the behavior, and Tundra and Loki follow her example. At first, the wolves are hesitant, but Tara’s patience and gentle encouragement help them understand what is expected.
As the training continues, Tundra and Loki get more confident in their abilities, and the bond between the keeper and the wolves strengthens. Tara uses various techniques to keep the training sessions fresh and engaging, such as playing a “find it” game with hidden treats and having the wolves jump up to touch a small bell.
Wolf’s Communication
The communication between the keeper and the wolves is fascinating to observe. Tara uses a series of vocalizations, hand signals, and body language to convey information to Tundra and Loki, and they respond with their unique vocalizations, facial expressions, and postures.
Tundra is the more vocal of the two wolves, and her high-pitched whines and yips fill the air during the training session. Loki is quieter but extremely observant and attentive to Tara’s cues.
The Importance of Training
Training is an essential part of the care and welfare of zoo animals. It helps keep them mentally and physically stimulated, provides enrichment, and prepares them for medical procedures and husbandry practices.
Training also has an important educational component for wild animals like gray wolves. These animals are often misunderstood and feared, but people can learn about their behavior, social structure, and ecological role through training and education.
The Toledo Zoo’s night keeper, Tara, is an excellent example of a dedicated and skilled animal trainer. Her love and passion for the wolves are evident, and the trust and respect she has earned from Tundra and Loki are a testament to her expertise.
Conclusion
The gray wolves at the Toledo Zoo are incredible creatures that inspire awe and respect. Watching them during a training session with Tara is both entertaining and educational. It showcases the importance of training in animal care and welfare and highlights the incredible bonds that can develop between humans and wild animals. It is an experience that visitors to the Toledo Zoo will not soon forget.
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Source Description
Lead night keeper Tara shows us her point of view while doing a training session with Tundra and Loki, two of the Gray wolves at Toledo Zoo! ??
