Joint Care - Working with 1.2 Dhole (Cuon alpinus) to Allow Stick Feeding Nicola Williscroft BSc (Hons), Hooves and Carnivore Keeper, Twycross Zoo Kris Hern, Animal Training Manager, Twycross Zoo Nikki.williscroft@twycrosszoo.org; Kris.hern@twycrosszoo.org ABSTRACT As ex situ conservation efforts within zoological collections continue to improve animal husbandry and welfare standards through advances in research, education, and veterinary care; many zoological collections have seen an increasing number of species living longer in captivity. With an increasing population of elderly animals comes an increasing amount of elderly related health issues. Twycross Zoo, Warwickshire (UK) is just one of these institutions which has an increasing number of elderly animals, and as it continually strives to become one of the leading institutions in husbandry and welfare, along with its expanding veterinary expertise, the care of its elderly animals is paramount. One such species the zoo holds is its aging pack of three (1.2) dhole (Cuon alpinus). One particular individual, Yoko, started showing signs of possible hind leg/hip problems in spring 2012. The decision was taken to try and train the dholes using positive reinforcement to individually take meat from a feeding stick from keepers, with particular focus on Yoko ; with an end goal of enabling keepers to administer daily joint supplement and/or medication if required. The training plan was successful with a daily joint supplement, Glucosamine, and an anti-inflammatory non-steroid medication, Rimadyl, being prescribed and administered thirty two days after the training plan started. Key words: Dhole, Cuon alpinus, positive reinforcement, joint care, medical training INTRODUCTION Dholes are a member of Canidae and are one of the least studied members of the canid family, classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List (Durbin et al., 2008). Their current status and distribution within their native range is very vague and poorly understood (Venkataraman & Johnsingh, 2010) due to a lack of research resulting from their shy nature and habitat choice. Numbers are estimated around 2,500 mature individuals (Durbin et al., 2008), spanning across their native range consisting of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Vietnam (Durbin et al., 2008). This highly social and cooperative canid has decreased dramatically throughout its native range within the past 50 years (Kamler; Wildlife Conservation Research Unit) and now the dhole is recognised as more endangered than the tiger (Panthera tigris) and snow leopard (Panthera uncia) within Asia, and their numbers are expected to continue to decline (Kamler, 2012). Their main threats include habitat loss, prey depletion, persecution, interspecific competition, and potential disease transfer from domestic/feral dogs (Durbin et al., 2004; Durbin et al., 2008). Therefore it is paramount that conservation efforts are made to safeguard this species and ex situ conservation breeding is one of these methods. Within captivity there are to date 100.103 dhole with 27 births worldwide in the last 12 months (ISIS, 2012). Twycross Zoo has bred dhole successfully for a number of years and currently holds a stable sibling group of 1.2. When one of the females Yoko, appeared to be showing signs of potential joint/hip problems, the zoo s veterinarians were consulted to discuss the course of action. Yoko was prescribed a daily liquid pain relief and anti-inflammatory tablet which we were unable to successfully medicate her with. It was decided to try and train the dhole to individually stick feed to take food which could potentially be used to administer medication. This would enable keepers to administer required medication to Yoko without separating her from the pack, which could also be used if the other dhole were to require medication at any point in the future. This group of individuals had never been trained previously. A training plan was submitted and training commenced on May 27 2012 under the supervision of the animal training manager, with an end goal of successfully individually stick feeding Yoko on a daily basis.
METHODOLOGY Study subject The dholes are a related sibling pack (D.O.B. February 4 2001) captive born at Twycross Zoo, figure 1 shows Yoko the studies focus. Figure 1: Yoko Source: Williscroft, N. (2012) Training plan and feeding methods The dholes were trained using positive reinforcement: bridge (clicker) through protected contact, using meat chunks taken from their allocated diet. Training took place twice a day, am and pm, for ten minutes per session. Three keepers trained, one per animal, with the outside enclosure being split into two. The dhole were shut into the same side each time and keepers entered the other side, spreading out evenly across the fence line. To initially get the dhole interested in approaching keepers any positive move, e.g. approach/look towards a keeper, would be reinforced by throwing a small chunk of meat towards them through the mesh and pairing the meat throwing with the bridge. If a dhole picked up the meat the keepers would also reinforce this action. This process continued and over a period of time keepers shortened the distance between the meat landing on the floor and the fence line until the dhole started to approach the fence and become more confident. Once an individual approached the fence line for a few sessions in a row, meat throwing ceased and the feeding stick was introduced to encourage them to take meat off the stick (figure 2), which was also paired with the bridge. This process continued until animals were stick feeding daily, enabling keepers to medicate if required. Training equipment Disposable gloves, feeding stick (clicker attached when training advanced) and a meat tub. Data collection To keep a record of potential animal preference to a keeper or area at the fence line, a temporary recording sheet was designed and implemented to allow keepers to record all details and observations of each training session. An example of the recording sheet can be seen in figure 3. Information of interest included trainer and location on the fence line, location of each animal, total amount of chunks taken in each visit to trainers, time and duration of training session, and other comments e.g. distractions, weather, visitors surrounding enclosure, etc. Training sessions were recorded on ZIMS (ZIMS, 2012) from May 27 2012 (figure 4; first week of recordable training) 14 days after the pilot training period began (May 14 2012) once the dhole were approaching the fence line and taking meat chunks from the feeding stick. Figure 2: Animal keeper Nicola Williscroft training Yoko at enclosure fence line
Source: Hudman, L. (2012) Figure 3: Training session recording sheet Animal Name: Yoko Training Behaviour: Stick Feeding Date: Start time: End time: Train er Number of chunks taken each visit (Initia ls) and positi on 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 + First approa ched (Tick) Other comments e.g. time taken to approach first trainer, distractions, weather etc. L M R L M R L M R Figure 4: ZIMS record of training sessions Source: ZIMS. (2012) PROBLE MS
ENCOUNTERED Initial animal interest and drive The initial problem with the training plan was the dholes normal feeding routine, they were fed every other day, and this resulted in them being offered training meat chunks on non-feeding days. Keepers attempted this routine initially for one week but the dhole were not interested in approaching keepers. This was likely a combination of the training plan being new to the animals and them not actually appearing hungry to investigate and interact with keepers. After discussion it was agreed to decrease their food allowance on feed days to a stripped bone with the stripped meat being used for training sessions to get them interested to approach keepers. Food gradually decreased from a normal 2.25kg muscle meat or 3.2 kg meat on the bone per animal to 0.5-1.2 kg muscle meat or 1.3-2.0 kg meat on the bone (table 1). If animals did not take meat off the stick during the training session the remainder of the meat was scattered in the enclosure to ensure animals were getting their daily food allowance. When the dhole picked meat chunks up off the ground keepers bridged this behaviour. During the training programme the zoo changed meat suppliers to one who offered both beef and horse meat, the dhole had previously only been fed horse. This had a noticeable effect on the dhole as they were eager to take meat off the feeding stick, eating horse meat chunks but initially dropping beef chunks. Table 1: Training meat per animal over time Date Training Feeding day meat weight (kg) muscle meat weight (g) per session 14/05/12 150 2.25 muscle meat or 3.2 meat on the (approx. 15 bone chunks) 04/06/12 150 (approx. 15 chunks) 08/06/12 300 (approx. 30 chunks) 10/08/12 350 (approx. 35 chunks) 0.9 muscle meat (2 sessions), 1.05 muscle meat (1 session) or; 1.7 meat on bone (2 sessions), 1.85 meat on the bone (1 session) 0.6 muscle meat (2 sessions), 0.9 muscle meat (1 session) or; 1.4 meat on bone (2 sessions), 1.7 meat on the bone (1 session) 0.5 muscle meat (2 sessions), 0.85 muscle meat (1 session) or; 1.3 meat on bone (2 sessions) or 1.65 meat on the bone (1 session) Comments N/A Food cut down to try and encourage animals to approach trainers N/A N/A Keeper training position Training initially started within the divided outside enclosure, with the dhole shut in one area and keepers within another. The dhole had not previously received any training from keepers and therefore they were unsure and nervous to come forward to investigate the keepers. As soon as keepers ended the session and exited the enclosure animals would come straight to the fence line where keepers had been standing. After observing this behaviour on several occasions it was decided to try and train with keepers standing on the outside of their enclosure to try and gain a more positive result, this started on June 15 2012. Environmental factors Environmental factors have to be considered within the analysis as they may have influence on each animal s overall performance for each training session. Environmental factors included time of the day, season and weather, distractions such as public and events around the enclosure, etc. RESULTS
Yoko was the first to approach keepers at the fence line and take food off the feeding stick. The pilot training period started on May 14 2012 and by May 27 2012 Yoko was starting to take one meat chunk off the feeding stick before walking off. On June 4 2012, after approaching keepers Yoko turned around and walked off; a keeper bridged as she was walking off and she turned back around towards the keeper. This was a significant breakthrough in the training programme as it showed Yoko was responding to the bridge. In the afternoon session she approached the fence line within 30 seconds of keepers positioning themselves and took two meat chunks off the feeding stick. Between June 6-15 2012 Yoko made the most noticeable progress throughout the training programme when she began approaching keepers at the start of training sessions and taking an increasing amount of meat chunks off the feeding stick (figure 5). Yoko made an average of 2.67 visits to keepers and took an average of 20 chunks each session. Yoko s consistency improved and on the June 11 2012 she finished all chunks in less than two minutes. June 15 2012 saw Yoko waiting at the right hand side station whilst keepers entered the enclosure, and the next day she was confident enough with the bridge to have it attached to the feeding stick to make training easier. From June 17 2012 onwards Yoko was regularly taking all meat chunks in several visits, it was noted by this date Yoko also responded to her name being called, walking over to the keeper, so this behaviour was reinforced. Due to Yoko s consistency of stick feeding each training session the veterinary team started her on a joint supplement on June 27 2012, 32 days after the training programme started. She initially refused the medication for one week and then started taking it daily from July 3 2012. From July 17 2012 onwards Yoko would regularly take all meat chunks in one visit and from August 2 2012 onwards she would regularly be waiting at the fence line and would stay engaged for the duration of the training session. After the success of daily stick feeding the joint supplement the veterinary department started Yoko on a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, on August 7 2012. Yoko took this successfully from the date dispensed and keepers noticed a notable improvement in Yoko s hind legs and movement early September 2012. Figure 6 shows Yoko s overall progress over time throughout the training programme showing approximate numbers of meat chunks taken per week. Figure 7 shows this in more details showing the approximate total number of meat chunks offered per week along with the approximate number of meat chunks taken by Yoko per week. Figure 5: Number of chunks taken over time by 'Yoko' 32 4 15 06/06/2012 07/06/2012 23 08/06/2012 09/06/2012 22 9 10/06/2012 11/06/2012 36 19 12/06/2012 15/06/2012
Approximate number of meat chunks taken 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Figure 6: 'Yoko's' progress overtime throughout training programme 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Weeks Figure 7: Approximate numbers of chunks offered to 'Yoko' with approximate numbers she took off the stick Approximate number of meat chunks 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Weeks Chunks offered Chunks taken DISCUSSION As predicted Yoko was the first to approach keepers at the fence line and take meat from the feeding. During week one of the training Yoko reacted positively to the bridge when she was walking away, turning back around towards the keeper, who reinforced again. This was excellent progress but the dhole still did not appear very motivated or hungry to approach keepers. In decreasing the dholes feed allowance it enabled trainers to get the dhole closer to the fence line to begin positive interactions with them for training sessions, as the dhole were increasingly food motivated and willing to interact to obtain food. Within four days of the new feeding regime being implemented Yoko approached keepers within 30 seconds of them getting into training positions, which was the best training session to date. Weeks 2-3 were the breakthrough weeks with Yoko showing the most improvement. Yoko continued to improve throughout the training programme and 32 days after the training programme started the veterinary team was able to dispense a daily joint supplement tablet due to Yoko consistently stick feeding on a daily basis. She refused this supplement for one week, this may have been due to keeper trial and error as keepers initially crushed up the tablet and attempted to hide it within a pocket cut in the meat. This method did not work so keepers then tried placing the tablet whole in a pocket cut in the meat, but Yoko would chew the meat chunk finding the tablet, resulting in her spitting the meat out. This was probably due to the tablet being quite large and keepers cutting
the meat chunks too big so she had to chew them. They varied the sizes of the meat chunks cut until they found one which was large enough to disguise the tablet but small enough for her to swallow usually without chewing so she would not notice the tablet inside. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED Initial animal interest and drive Within four days of implementing the decreased amount of food offered to the dhole, keepers noticed a change in their behaviour during training sessions, with them becoming increasingly motivated towards interacting with keepers to gain food. Meat chunks not taken during the training session were scattered within the enclosure at the end of sessions. Keepers observed animals becoming increasingly active in searching for the meat chunks as the training programme progressed. It is advised that caution should be taken that the animals do not get complacent to this and wait for the training sessions to end to scavenge scattered meat rather than interact with keepers during the training session. As the dhole became increasingly willing to train on a daily basis their food intake was gradually increased over a period of six weeks to their normal recommended diet weights. Keeper training position Keepers initially started training within the enclosure but this soon became apparent by the dholes behaviour that this was not the best position for the keepers as the dhole were still quite shy and nervous to approach keepers. When keepers repositioned outside the enclosure the dhole appear more confident and interested to approach keepers. Consideration should also be taken as to what the animals are normally used to in their daily husbandry routines, and the individual behaviours of the animals. Environmental factors This pack had a clear dislike to high winds, either not coming over for training sessions at all or showing interest but becoming easily distracted, resulting in the sessions ending. They seemed to like the rain (not heavy), coming straight over to train. They were not very responsive in warm/humid temperatures and would often not move even when called, this was most apparent throughout the summer months between 12:00-15:30. Keepers found the dhole were most responsive early morning, around 08:30, and late afternoon, after 15:30. In the winter as day lengths were shorter, keepers had to administer medication earlier in the day and Yoko would not approach keepers in the dark. Visitors affected their behaviour, especially in the early stages of the training programme with them becoming easily distracted with visitors approaching or visitor numbers above 15. Other distractions around the enclosure e.g. maintenance work, gardening, etc. also affected the animals focus. Keepers found that as animal focus increased throughout the training programme, the dholes reaction to external distractions reduced. SUCCESS OF TRAINING PROGRAMME The training programme goal was completed successfully with Yoko starting on a joint supplement 32 days after the training plan records started. Although she refused medication for one week she now successfully takes medication daily and an overall improvement has been noted. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to the hooves and carnivore team at Twycross Zoo for their hard work and dedication to train these animals. Thank you to Kris Hern for providing support and advice in the training programme, as well as standing in to help training when there has been staff shortages. REFERENCES Durbin, L. S., Venkataraman, A., Hedges, S & Duckworth, W. (2004) Dhole Cuon alpinus. In Sillero- Zubiri, C., Hoffmann, M & Macdonald, D. W. (eds.) Canids: Foxes, Wolves, Jackals and dogs. Status
Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Switzerland and Cambridge: IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group. Ch. 8. Mech, L. David. 1999. Alpha status, dominance, and division of labor in wolf packs. Canadian Journal of Zoology 77: pp. 1196-1203. Venkataraman, A. B & Johnsingh, A. J. T. (2010) Dholes. The behavioural ecology of dholes in India. In Macdonald, D. W and Sillero-Zubiri, C. (eds.) The Biology and Conservation of Wild Canids. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Ch. 21. Electronic Durbin, L. S., Hedges, S., Duckworth, J. W., Tyson, M., Lyenga, A. & Venkataraman, A. (IUCN SSC Canid Specialist Group - Dhole Working Group) 2008. Cuon alpinus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 29 August 2012. ISIS. (2012) ZIMS Species Holding; Cuon alpinus [online] Available at: < https://zims.isis.org/main.aspx> [accessed 11 November 2012]. Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, (n.d.) Ecology and Conservation of Dholes in Southeast Asia. [online] Available at: < http://www.wildcru.org/research/research-detail/?theme=&project_id=68 > [accessed 18 November 2012]. ZIMS. (2012) ZIMS Homepage [online] Available at: <https://zims.isis.org/> [accessed 14 November 2012]. Other Kamler, J. (2012) Ecology and Conservation of the dhole in Cambodia. [word document] University of Oxford: Wildlife Conservation Research Unit. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ABMA Disclaimer One of the core values of the ABMA states that the sharing of knowledge and new ideas is fundamental to advancing animal behavior management. We do this in many ways, such as through our conferences, publications, and social media. Our written publications feature many fascinating and thought-provoking papers and articles. Some you may agree with, others may challenge your perceptions and ideas. And while the content that you read reflects the views of the author and does not necessarily represent the feelings of the ABMA or the board of directors, we think that the diversity of subjects and viewpoints represented by our members, at our conferences, in our publications, and via our social media outlets is one of the strengths of this organization. We encourage you to take in all that you read with an open mind, because you might be surprised by what you learn. Thank you and enjoy the publication!