0:00:00.000,0:00:03.802 ♪ (intro music) ♪ 0:00:03.802,0:00:05.324 Enrichment and training programs 0:00:05.337,0:00:08.338 are ingrained in the work[br]that we do every day. 0:00:08.338,0:00:11.253 They're not extras,[br]they're not if we have time, 0:00:11.253,0:00:15.328 they are the baseline for animal care,[br]here at the Academy. 0:00:15.485,0:00:18.721 We have 38,000 animals under our care, 0:00:18.721,0:00:23.168 everything from leafcutter ants[br]to American alligator, to sharks. 0:00:23.516,0:00:25.087 That looks different[br]for everyone. 0:00:25.087,0:00:29.448 You're not going to have the same program[br]for an octopus than a leafcutter ant. 0:00:29.448,0:00:33.316 But we do take[br]all of their needs and conditions 0:00:33.316,0:00:36.586 that need to be met for them[br]to really thrive into consideration. 0:00:36.586,0:00:41.683 So, everything from naturalistic exhibits[br]and mixed-species exhibits 0:00:41.683,0:00:43.151 to formal training programs, 0:00:43.151,0:00:45.561 where we're focusing[br]on specific behaviors, 0:00:45.561,0:00:48.531 is to provide a lot of choices[br]within the environments 0:00:48.531,0:00:50.841 for the animals to choose from[br]on a daily basis. 0:00:51.560,0:00:53.183 Each one has its personality. 0:00:53.183,0:00:57.290 In fact, that's one of the easiest ways[br]we can distinguish between who's who. 0:00:57.290,0:01:01.081 Some of them are a little more shy,[br]Some will come up to you right away. 0:01:01.081,0:01:03.150 Some will hang out[br]with you the whole time. 0:01:03.150,0:01:06.018 Getting in with them is[br]probably the highlight of my week. 0:01:06.018,0:01:08.449 The minute we get in,[br]we're just surrounded by them, 0:01:08.449,0:01:10.726 whether they want[br]a little scratch on the nose 0:01:10.726,0:01:13.319 or to be kind of pet on the head. 0:01:13.319,0:01:16.017 They like that interaction,[br]even when there's no treat. 0:01:16.017,0:01:19.717 We not only take care of the rays,[br]we monitor their diets. 0:01:19.717,0:01:22.304 We'll put different objects[br]in their habitat 0:01:22.304,0:01:23.822 just to keep things different. 0:01:23.822,0:01:26.444 In the wild, their habitat would be[br]constantly changing, 0:01:26.444,0:01:30.134 and that keeps their mind moving,[br]active and curious. 0:01:30.134,0:01:31.424 ♪ (music) ♪ 0:01:31.424,0:01:34.957 Every morning, we do enrichment[br]during the feeding programs. 0:01:34.957,0:01:37.807 For the scale training,[br]they're stepping up onto the scale. 0:01:37.807,0:01:39.991 We can see[br]if their weight is fluctuating. 0:01:39.991,0:01:43.258 For they can't talk to us,[br]we don't know if they're not feeling well, 0:01:43.258,0:01:46.742 if they're getting sick,[br]so weight decreases and eating less food 0:01:46.742,0:01:48.970 is really important for us[br]to talk to our vet 0:01:48.970,0:01:51.340 and see what he thinks might be going on. 0:01:51.340,0:01:52.736 Enrichment can be anything 0:01:52.736,0:01:57.749 from putting logs and rocks[br]in the exhibit, or nesting material. 0:01:57.749,0:02:00.184 I'll hand it out[br]and they'll grab it with their beak 0:02:00.184,0:02:01.981 and then bring it back to their nest. 0:02:01.981,0:02:05.214 We want to have changes in there,[br]something new in their environment 0:02:05.214,0:02:07.487 or that stimulates their brain[br]in a certain way. 0:02:07.697,0:02:10.928 The enrichment's definitely important[br]for our personal relationship, 0:02:10.929,0:02:14.352 so they can trust me more,[br]I can trust them a little bit more. 0:02:14.352,0:02:16.352 They know that I'm not trying[br]to hurt them. 0:02:16.352,0:02:17.414 ♪ (music) ♪ 0:02:17.414,0:02:21.534 Training is really building a language[br]between you and an animal. 0:02:21.534,0:02:23.500 We can't ask them questions, 0:02:23.500,0:02:26.411 so we have to find a way[br]to communicate with each other 0:02:26.411,0:02:31.738 to identify what we want from them[br]and what they want and need from us, too. 0:02:31.738,0:02:34.102 It allows us to actually[br]move them back and forth 0:02:34.102,0:02:35.699 between their night quarters, 0:02:35.699,0:02:39.078 and, when they're on exhibit[br]during the day, in the Rainforest. 0:02:39.078,0:02:44.443 Another example of their training program[br]is nail trimming or clippings. 0:02:44.443,0:02:47.202 That's a routine part of their care 0:02:47.202,0:02:49.923 and makes veterinary exams[br]a little easier. 0:02:50.744,0:02:52.595 Other programs include some fun, 0:02:52.595,0:02:56.892 and with macaws it's usually[br]related to chewing and food. 0:02:56.892,0:02:58.311 They're natural chewers, 0:02:58.311,0:03:03.446 they forage all day long in the forests[br]looking for fruits and seeds and nuts. 0:03:03.446,0:03:06.723 So we give them browse[br]that we cut out of the Rainforest. 0:03:06.723,0:03:09.025 I also love giving them puzzle toys, 0:03:09.025,0:03:12.844 so I actually hide parts of their food,[br]or treats like nuts, 0:03:12.844,0:03:14.726 in items that they have to manipulate 0:03:14.726,0:03:16.851 and try to figure out[br]how to get them out of. 0:03:16.851,0:03:18.761 That's really good stimulation for them. 0:03:18.761,0:03:19.559 ♪ (music) ♪ 0:03:19.559,0:03:21.028 It's really fantastic. 0:03:21.028,0:03:24.517 Having to problem solve,[br]to make sure that the animals in your care 0:03:24.517,0:03:26.841 are truly receiving[br]the highest quality care 0:03:26.841,0:03:28.662 is really exciting, 0:03:28.662,0:03:32.353 and then to also be able to turn around[br]and share that with our guests, 0:03:32.353,0:03:35.603 to really let these[br]ambassador animals shine through 0:03:35.603,0:03:38.920 to educate and inspire everybody. 0:03:38.920,0:03:44.236 It really reinforces the idea that,[br]as living organisms, we're all connected, 0:03:44.236,0:03:47.943 we have so much in common,[br]and we're really not that different. 0:03:47.943,0:03:50.809 We all care about[br]where we're going to get our food, 0:03:50.809,0:03:53.635 do we have shelter,[br]all those important things. 0:03:53.635,0:03:56.353 It's really not different[br]for all of these creatures, too. 0:03:56.353,0:03:59.571 Watching that every day[br]kind of reestablishes that connection, 0:03:59.571,0:04:01.678 for me, to the rest of the living world. 0:04:02.062,0:04:05.354 ♪ (music) ♪