Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) for Bornean Sun Bears!
Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) is a cornerstone of modern animal care and conservation efforts. It's a method that rewards desired behaviours, encouraging animals to perform them, thus facilitating easier management and care.
The success of PRT depends on the trust between keepers and the bears. The dedication and commitment of the keepers are fundamental in creating bonding and developing trust with the bears.
The PRT process begins with identifying the purpose and behaviours we want to encourage in the bears. These behaviours could be as simple as responding to a name, or more complex like allowing a veterinary examination. A clicker is used as a ‘bridge’ to communicate with the bears, that it has the correct behaviour and will be reinforced with a reward system.
Amaco, 30 years, the oldest sun bear in BSBCC, is no longer active in playing, and therefore he tends to have overgrown claws that can affect his walking stance. Via PRT session, Amaco allows the keepers to trim the claws. He also knows to open his mouth big for oral examination. The outcome is very encouraging and significantly promotes general well-being. The number of general anaesthesia can be greatly reduced as well through Amaco’s participation in PRT. In a geriatric animal, general anaesthesia is a risky procedure.
Thank you to Yayasan Hasanah, Kementerian Kewangan and Yayasan Sime Darby for always supporting BSBCC's conservation efforts. PRT allows us to perform necessary health checks and medical procedures with minimal stress to the bears, provides mental stimulation, and promotes general well-being. We look forward to seeing improvement in the health and well-being of our bears via PRT.
Amaco, 30 years, the oldest sun bear in BSBCC, is no longer active in playing, and therefore he tends to have overgrown claws that can affect his walking stance. Via PRT session, Amaco allows the keepers to trim the claws.
He also knows to open his mouth big for oral examination. The outcome is very encouraging, significantly promotes general wellbeing. The number of general anaesthesia can be greatly reduced as well through Amaco’s participation in PRT. In a geriatric animal, general anaesthesia is a risky procedure.
PRT is an invaluable tool in the care and management of Bornean Sun Bears. It allows us to perform necessary health checks and medical procedures with minimal stress to the bears, provides mental stimulation, and promote general well beings. We look forward to seeing improvement in the health and wellbeing of our bears via PRT.
One of our other residents, Julaini, also has PRT done. He has cataract in his left eye and PRT allows us to examine this eye closer.
The Roles of PRT:
1. Enrichment and Mental stimulation:
The PRT is an exercise to develop trust between the bears and keepers. PRT encourages cognitive development and stimulates positive emotion. The bears will find the exercise pleasant and, hence anticipate more of such interactions.
2. Health Management
The PRT shaped the bears to participate in medical examinations, such as claw trimming, oral examination, and physical examination. To a more advanced stage, the animals will voluntarily participate in sampling and diagnosis such as blood drawing, hair sampling, vulva swab for cytology, pregnancy scan with ultrasound etc.
