Spilling the Beans on... Research at the Zoo

Modern, accredited zoos attend to three critical areas: Conservation, Education, and Research. Dr. Jenna Congdon’s ‘Cognition, Learning, & Animal Welfare’ (C.L.A.W.) Laboratory has been developing a research program, working towards the collective goal of further understanding animal perception, and providing insight regarding enrichment and welfare. Collaborations with zoos and conservation areas allow for the ability to gather data on scientific questions about mental processes (i.e., cognition) while simultaneously improving animal welfare through environmental enrichment, revising best practices for housing and care, and informing conservation efforts for their wild counterparts. This talk will provide details regarding the research being conducted at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, highlighting the impact of these findings on our animals and beyond. Firstly, Dr. Congdon will describe both previous and ongoing student projects (e.g., individualized owl enrichment, habitat and behavioural data of hoofstock and carnivores, and a social cooperation rope-pulling task conducted with wallabies), illustrating the importance of a research program with diverse perspectives and use of methodologies. Following, the ongoing touchscreen work with our fur seals and harbor seals will be showcased, including video demonstrations and emphasis on the strong collaboration with zookeepers and their extensive role in training.
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