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Archive for 'Training'
Victor in Training to RUN!
You wouldn’t think it takes any training for a Cheetah to run, would you? Well, training is just what it takes. Since Victor was born in S. Africa to be a Conservation Ambassador, running & chasing at top speed had to be taught by his surrogate Mom’s. Recently we have been training Victor to recognize an inanimate object as a prey item. No easy feet for a wild cat designed to chase live prey. After the chasing is ingrained, then the stopping part comes in. Luckily, Victor is enamored by Linda, his primary trainer and will just about follow her anywhere. Stay tuned for updates & photos of his training & the announcement of his “Big Day,” where he will hopefully run at a top speed of 70mph to catch his “prize!”
Archimedes is in School!
Archimedes, out Great Horned Owl rescue is is Wild Wonders trainging school learning to be comfortable with sitting on a glove & in social situations with lots of activity. Below is a brief training session as our staff trainer Wendy helps Archimedes “get a grip” with his new & improved life here at Wild Wonders/Zoofari.
African Neighbor Delilah Visits Zoofari
Our animal neighbors sometimes stop by for a visit & a snack. Delilah, a beautiful African Porcupine (giant rodent), stopped by today to show off her gorgeous mohawk hairstyle & have a nosh or two. She really enjoyed all the new smells at our zoo, but the walnuts & sweet potatoes were the true hit. We hope to see you again soon Delilah!
Taking a Puff-Ball for a Walk
Sitka the Arctic fox has been keeping his trainers on their toes since he arrived at Wild Wonders about a year and a half ago. But, thanks to lots and lots of patient training, and Sitka’s LOVE for all things edible, he has been making some great strides. We have been working on getting him comfortable wearing a leash and collar, and going for walks around the compound. Here are some pictures of today’s training session! He is a very motivated student when there are yummy treats involved:
Sitka responds well to hand signals. Here he is sitting for snacks.
Sitka looks pretty handsome in his winter coat.
Bush Baby Bonding
Our two bush babies, Elliot and Zulu, are intelligent and curious animals who love getting goodies. Today, volunteer Katherine and I spent some quality time with these furry primates.
Elliot and Zulu are greater bush babies, found in African rainforests. They are related to lemurs and lorises. These wide-eyed creatures are most active at night in the wild, seeking out small animals, fruits and seeds for their midnight snacks. Our bush babies love live meal worms, craisens, cheese, newtons…well…pretty much anything we offer them!
Elliot holds onto his treat bowl with a death grip!
Zulu has a new best friend in volunteer Katherine. Just keep bringin' on the grub!
Elliot peruses his treat selection.
Sweet as Sugar
Volunteers and staff have been working hard training the smallest furry creatures at Wild Wonders- Australian sugar gliders! These little critters are shy, so need lots of love and treats to help them feel comfortable with being handled and going to shows. As long as craisens and meal worms are involved, they are pretty happy to hang out with their trainers. Here is one of the little guys during today’s training session.
A little sugar glider enjoys a yummy craisen
Volunteer Katherine cuddles a sugar glider
She’s Bringin’ the Love
Our little porcupine, Penelopea, has really come out of her shell. The timid little girl that came to us two weeks ago now waddles enthusiastically out of her quarantine enclosure when we come in with treats. Then it’s right up on our lap for bites of corn and sweet potato. She is also letting us touch her back, which is great practice for future programs!
Yay, Penelopea!
Prickly but Sweet
Penelopea isn't concerned with her first photo shoot. Just keep bringing on the treats!
Apple is also delicious, thank you very much!
Our little Penelopea is starting to warm up to us. She welcomed a photo shoot yesterday as she munched on a favorite treat- corn on the cob! Sweet potato is also a new favorite. Enjoy the new pics!
And remember, little munchkins like this rely on community support! There is still time to register for the up-coming golf tournament to benefit the animals at Wild Wonders/Zoofari.
Hilarious Howard
Howard is one of our parrots, a Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo. His previous owner had to go to work all day and left Howard alone. So Howard developed some bad habits, like feather-plucking. Birds do this for various reasons, such as a lack of stimulation, loneliness, etc. Most of Howard’s feathers will never grow back in. Luckily, he does still have the downy feathers, so he can stay pretty warm.
Here's Howard!
Now that Howard is living at WW/Z he stays entertained, and his plucking has stopped. There is always activity, people to talk to, and he can yell back and forth to the other birds. Howard loves to say “Hi Howard” in a sweet voice, then we respond with the same, and this two word conversation can go on forever. Despite this apparent friendliness, he is a one-person bird, and his favorite person is Brian, one of our keepers. He won’t let anyone else get too close to him. However, Howard will let Brian do pretty much anything. Howard will even cuddle with Brian.
Howard and Brian look so happy together!
Brian takes him on programs where they dance up a storm for the kids. He loves the attention. Check out the great video below of Brian and Howard doing their routine.
-Casai
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