ABC'S: ANIMAL BEHAVIOR CONCERNS & SOLUTIONS
A Question & Answer Forum For Animal Professionals
Copyright © By Diana Guerrero

All content © by Diana L. Guerrero unless otherwise noted and may not be reprinted without prior written permission. All rights reserved. Contact arkanimals.com for reprint permissions and fees.

Welcome to the ABC's! Animal Behavior Concerns & Solutions is an animal behavior column written by animal behaviorist and animal trainer, Diana L. Guerrero. This section is dedicated to animal training techniques for all animals and pets, and topics related to operant conditioning and reinforcement. This document is for zoo employees or exotic animal facilities. Please fill out completely and submit for inclusion in the Journal of the American Association of Zoo Keepers. For pet training please visit the pet section, see our pet behavior booklets in the shop, or visit our teleseminar section.

Zoo Animal Column Questionnaire

If you are a zoo or animal facility employee, use this form to submit your question or print this page and type out answers to this questionnaire OR you can copy to your email program and send it. Please note that submission does not insure publication and all submissions become the property of Diana L. Guerrero.

BEHAVIOR BACKGROUND INFORMATION
1) Briefly describe problem
2) the age of the animal when the problem was first observed
3) how long the problem has been in existence
4) where it occurs and with which conspecifics
5) what particular situation it occurs in
6) frequency
7) how you have attempted to correct it
8) other things you think are important to know

HUMAN INFORMATION
Name of persons working on this problem:
Mailing address of institution(Street or PO Box):
City:
State:
Zip Code: TIME ZONE: P M C E Other____________________
Work Phone: ( )
FAX Line: ( )
E-mail:

Other Participants M/F Relationship with animal(s) & Time on area or string
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Does anyone have any behavior experience? Y__N__ If yes, Who?
Has anyone ever attended a training program or behavior seminar before?
Y_____N______
If Yes, Who conducted the program or seminar? When?

EXHIBIT INFORMATION
Please describe the exhibit to the best of your ability (or send a diagram):
Can the animals be separated from each other?
Do they have individual night quarters?
Please list the other animals in the exhibit:
Name Breed/Species Age Sex Compatibility with animal(s)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

ANIMAL INFORMATION
Animal Name:
Breed/Species:
Sex: M__F__
Age:
Age this obtained:
From where?
Mother reared?
Wild caught?
Nursery reared? By whom?
Age taken from mother?
Litter behavior/birth order?
How long have you had this animal?
Do you intend to breed this animal?
Where is this animal in the group hierarchy?
Has the status changed?
List prior facilities this animal was held:

List any current or prior health or physical problems:
Is this animal on medication? Y__N__ If yes, What?
Why?
Has this animal experienced any traumas? When?
Was this animal ever seriously injured or ill?
If so, please explain:
Has this animal been cleared for allergies? Fungal infections?
Thyroid, adrenals or other physical abnormalities?
Veterinarian:
Phone ( )

Is this animal allowed on exhibit with conspecifics?
Where does this animal sleep and with whom?
Who does this animal interact the most with? the least?

What is the current diet?
How many feedings?
Enrichment?
Supplements?

How often is enrichment used?
Is this animal able to participate in this activity?
What types of interactions occur in the exhibit? Any aggression? Explain.

Has this animal ever received any formal training?
At what age?
Trainer's Name:

How have you reinforced acceptable interactions?
How have you reprimanded or handled aggressive or unacceptable behaviors?
Animal's reaction to these actions?:

Has this animal been injured by another animal? How?
Has this animal injured any conspecific?
What were the circumstances?:
How many times has this occurred?
How long ago was the last time?

Has this animal injured a human?
If yes, describe who and the circumstances.
How many times has this occurred?
How long ago was the last incident?

In stress situations (new situation, strangers, visitors, left alone, confinement, etc.,), how
does this animal react?:
Would you describe this animal as:
Wildly Active__
Active__
Confident, Assured__
Reserved__
Withdrawn__
Stiff, Lethargic__
Fearful, Unsure__

OTHER NOTES:
This should give you an idea of what information is needed to produce each evaluation you are reading. Most often, the questions will get more in-depth than listed. Sometimes a cycling or implanted female may react differently than one who is not; other times an animal may be bonded more with female caretakers than with males or have had horrible experiences with humans overall. If you have any information that you feel may apply or that is a "gut feeling" you are encouraged to provide that information.

You may fax the answers through (760) 875-6874 or email them or use the zoo online form.

Are you a reader with a question? Be sure to submit it--and good luck in all your training endeavors!

About the columnist: Since 1978 Diana L. Guerrero has worked professionally with both wild and domestic animals. Guerrero has been affiliated with and certified by a variety of animal programs in the USA and Europe. Based in California, she writes, consults, and leads safaris. Information on her animal career programs, training courses, and her books, What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality (SkyLight Paths, 2003), Blessing of the Animals (Sterling, 2007), Help! My Pet is Driving Me Crazy (Guerrero Ink, 2007), Animal Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals (Guerrero Ink, 2007) are available through this web site. Questions for ABC's should be submitted to Diana directly through the ABC's zoo questionnaire on this web site, or contact her now.