The Wildlife Department at Port Moresby Nature Park has been conducting animal training to improve the well-being of its animals.
This animal training enables the wildlife team to carry out regular weighing and treatments on wildlife without having to do any evasive capture or restraining of the animals that would cause them discomfort.
Every day for five minutes, wildlife keepers work patiently with the tree kangaroos and birds. By using clicks, verbal cues and treats, the animals calmly move onto the scale for weighing and general checks.
Wildlife Keeper Emma Oliver said: “Animal training is really a labour of love. We have to be patient and confident to work with the animals. Being an animal keeper, we learn something new about the animals every day, like new techniques on how to best do our jobs and help the animals cooperate with us, an example is the animal training.”
The training has taught the tree kangaroos to walk themselves and hop onto scales while some birds have been trained to fly and perch on the scales for weighing and monitoring weekly.
Life Sciences and Wildlife Manager, Ishimu Bebe, said: “Animal training is a technique that is used across some of the best zoos in the world and as an international welfare accredited zoo, we pride ourselves in being able to work with our animals to help them meet their needs.
“As animals can’t talk to us, the best thing we can do is train them into being able to help us by some of these activities.”
Port Moresby Nature Park will continue training for the animals as it is vital for their welfare and well-being.
The animal training was provided by Susan Jaensch, Animal Trainer Co-ordinator, from Healesville Sanctuary, Zoos Victoria, as part of the Nature Park’s sister-zoo partnership with Zoos Victoria.
Port Moresby Nature Park is the only internationally welfare accredited zoo in the South Pacific by the Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australasia.
(Wildlife keeper, Emma Oliver, training Nigel, the Dorias Tree Kangaroo)