Post on 15-Dec-2015
transcript
SummaryWhat
Marine Mammal InternshipWhen
September 14th – February 13th
WhereShedd Aquarium, Chicago IL
WhyOne of the top animal internships in the nationTo work with Ken RamirezTo learn training the “Shedd way”
Schedule2 Days of OrientationMinimum of 35 hours a week
With commute, over 40 hours a weekAll interns worked different days, but schedule
stayed the same1 am shift (6:30am - 1:30pm)1 pm shift (12:30pm – 7:30pm1 12 hour shift (6:30am – 7:30pm with a half hour
lunch)1 overnight shift (6:30pm – 12:30am, or 12:00am –
7:00am)Shifts broken down into half hour chunks
Duties (what’s on paper)55% cleaning
Animal habitatsCommunity areas
25% diet preparationPrimarily during the morning shift
5% data collectionPregnancy observations on belugas, then calf observations
5% public interactionAnswering questions when in public areas
5% projectData collection and observation on an animal of our choice
Duties (what I actually did) 55% cleaning
Scrubbing algae from habitats Scrubbing sea lion reserve Cleaning the MM kitchen (AM and PM) Locker rooms/bathrooms Common areas Office
25% diet preparation 4 hours of sorting fish, weighing and bucketing for all 7 whales, 3 dolphins,
3 sea lions, and 5 otters (and the sharks and Wild Reef) 5% data collection
Night shift (7 hours of minute by minute data collection on pregnant whales) 5% public interaction
Show set up and breakdown, and assisting in training sessions 5% project
You can choose an animal from a list that they provide
Training Whistles for experienced staff, point bridge for newer staffFish as primary R+, variety of secondaries Interns had to be “cleared” on behaviors
Guest behaviors Vocalization Spin Spyhop High hand target Spit
Husbandry behaviors Tongue/gum rub Rubs Blood “draws” Ultrasounds
Advanced Point bridge Basic feed A to B’s Target stick
Staff TrainingEach trainer “trained” on individual basis
Long list of skills needed to master for EACH animal
Time to “build relationships” (rappoire)Skill is mastered when trainer demonstrates:
Verbal behavior (oral and written) Skill itself
Takes years to earn training freedomSenior trainers have been there 10+ years
DifficultiesExhaustion
No breaks except on 12 hour dayDay is 90% manual labor
Short tempersMistakes were sometimes corrected harshlyVery high levels of professionalism
Communication between staff and interns needed workWeekly staff meeting notes were not passed onto interns
No time to discuss training techniquesStaff not receptive to discussions about ORCA’s research
What I lovedEverything in its place
Incredibly organizedNo slackers
Everyone works hard, and helps outPassionate people
Everyone loves what they doTwo births
3391
Good timesWe cut loose…. A lot!
Ken Ramirez Fun FactsHistory of acting
TheaterVoiceovers
Christmas PartyWhite House guestOpen Door Policy
Available majority of timeStaff meetings
Family man
ProjectKayavak
10 year old adult beluga whaleHand raised from 6 months of ageOutgoing, solicits attention
ProjectPeer aggressionMating behaviors
However…No control over variables
Project Results
16% 2
10%
324%
428%
Whale harbor gate7%
Granite Island
walkway1%
Grainger encounter gate6%
IM gate8%
Buckwheat pass walkway
10%
Locations
Vertical11%
Horizontal82%
Out of View7%
Positions
Project Results
Slow Swim61%
Fast Swim0%
Drift at Surface20%
Drift at Middle15%
Drift at Bottom0%
Obstructed View4%
Activity
Mating0%
Vocalization47%
Respiration8%
Blowing Bubbles5%
Contact Swim0%
Rub5%
Piggybacking0%
Push0%
Pull0%
Spit0%
Mouthing16%
Mouth Open11%
Jawpopping0%
Head Thrust8%
Bite0%
Chase0%
Strike0%Behaviors
What I LearnedExciting (but stressful) times for Shedd
Transitional period Dog show ended, dogs finding new homes New show + 2 pregnant whales = stressed staff
Animal contact minimalOur group had even less training time than interns
before usIncredibly physically demanding
No breaksLong hours (expected to show up early/stay late if
needed)Always movingInterns work harder than staff (even Ken said it)