News Release
 
Contact: Sondra Katzen, Public Relations, 708.688.8351, sondra.katzen@czs.org
 
September 19, 2022
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 NOTE: Scroll to bottom of press release to download images.

   

Brookfield, Ill. —  Brookfield Zoo’s virtual lecture series returns this fall featuring an array of experts specializing in animal learning, behavior change, and conservation. The best part about attending, is you can do so from the comfort of your own home. Following each presentation, there will be time for a question and answer session. Lectures begin at 7 p.m. CT and are free, although a $10 donation is appreciated. Online reservations are required and can be made at CZS.org/LectureSeries. Lectures include:

Behavior is to What? How WE Learn
Thursday, September 22
Join Dr. Susan G. Friedman, professor emeritus in the Department of Psychology at Utah State University, as she presents a fascinating in-depth look at how animals—including humans-learn. She’ll shares the six fundamental topics in animal behavior consulting and training. They include an evolutionary view of learning and behavior; a review of the science of behavior-change; common obstacles to the scientific analysis of learning and behavior; an ABC assessment to better understand, predict, and change behavior; the errorless learning philosophy; and the correct environment set-up to make the right behavior more likely.
 
Training Behaviors for Animal Care and Welfare
Wednesday, October 19
Chicago Zoological Society’s Vice President of Animal Care Tim Snyder and Vice President of Animal Programs Rita Stacey will share their years of experience in animal training, care, and welfare, during an engaging discussion. They’ll explore the importance of fostering positive relationships with the animals entrusted to the zoo’s animal care staff through proven training techniques. This helps ensure the zoo’s animal residents participate in and receive mental and physical stimulation; nutritious meals; and world-class, groundbreaking healthcare while helping scientists and zoo guests understand a little more about the natural world around them.
 
Conservation Connection: Training to Save Wildlife
Tuesday, October 25
World-renowned training expert Ken Ramirez will share why applied behavior analysis is an exciting and expanding direction for enhancing success in wildlife conservation. Key applications include the increased use of husbandry training for conservation research, remote training projects, introduction of species to the wild, and other uses of behavior knowledge to aid in managing and studying animals to contribute to conservation. These applications have been used in assisting with conservation efforts with condors, wolves, sea otters, dolphins, sea lions, polar bears, sea turtles, chimpanzees, elephants and many other species. Join Ken for an exploration of some of these unique and inspiring conservation projects enhanced through innovative training techniques.
 
Mexican Wolf Conservation: Adapting Behaviors of Animal Care Professionals for Animal Care and Conservation
Tuesday, November 15
The Chicago Zoological Society has been involved in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan since 2003. Since that time, several pups born at Brookfield Zoo have successfully been cross-fostered with wild wolf packs in Arizona and New Mexico. Join Joan Daniels, senior curator of mammals for the Society as she shares cross-fostering techniques and how the animal care specialists at the zoo adapt their traditional care routines to avoid imprinting on the young pups and keeping the adult wolves from becoming acclimated to human routines, thus ensuring the wolves and their offspring are ready for release to the wild, if and when the time comes.
 
Godwits: Changing Climate, Changing Flight Patterns
Wednesday, December 7
Shorebirds are the champions of migration: their flights span hemispheres and defy our preconceived notions about what is possible. Hudsonian Godwits, large long-legged shorebirds, are emblematic of this strategy and migrate from the southern tip of South America to breed in Alaska and Canada. Join Dr. Nathan Senner, assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, as he highlights how godwits are altering their migrations and responding to global climate change, as well as what we can do to help them along the way.
 
   Photos
Rita Stacey and Tim Snyder (credit: CZS-Brookfield Zoo)
Ken Ramirez (credit Ken Ramirez)
Joan Daniels (credit: CZS-Brookfield Zoo)

About the Chicago Zoological Society
The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by engaging people and communities with wildlife and nature. The Chicago Zoological Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Its Center for the Science of Animal Care and Welfare is at the forefront of animal care that strives to discover and implement innovative approaches to zoo animal management. Brookfield Zoo is the first zoo in the world to be awarded the Humane Certified™ certification mark for the care and welfare of its animals, meeting American Humane Association’s rigorous certification standards. The zoo is located at 8400 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois, between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and also is accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, and CTA and PACE bus service. For further information, visit CZS.org.