Mahouts and Elephants in Nepal learning Target Training скачать в хорошем качестве

Mahouts and Elephants in Nepal learning Target Training

Compassionate Elephant Care (CEC), developed by Elephant Aid International founder/CEO Carol Buckley, is a system of caring for and handling captive-held elephants that is free of dominance, punishment, and infliction of pain. EAI trains mahouts and others who work in elephant care facilities in Asia in the use of CEC. With a deeper knowledge of elephants’ advanced intellect and social nature, the CEC program helps caregivers reframe their point of view. They are encouraged to empathize with the pain and suffering elephants experience when trained and managed harshly. By learning new ways of interacting with their elephants—and seeing positive results—they can transform their approach and relationship with their elephant. The CEC program includes Positive Reinforcement Target Training (PRTT), which uses rewards, such as a treat or praise, for desired behaviors. EAI uses PRTT to gain an elephant’s cooperation for medical procedures and foot care. We start with a tool called a “target”—a flexible pole with a spongy end—to give the elephant a harmless object to focus on. We touch the elephant’s head gently and say “target.” When the elephant makes contact, we blow a whistle and give him/her a treat. Elephants quickly connect the whistle with touching the target and, of course, the treat with the whistle. Throughout the training, we touch the target to different parts of the elephant’s body—their foot, ear, leg, and side—following the same process as we give each body part a name. When the elephant understands what we want, he/she responds by touching the appropriate body part to the target. The whistle sounds, and he/she receives a treat as their reward. The elephant is never told “no” and can never fail. This helps boost his/her self-confidence and willingness to play the game. When done correctly, PRTT becomes a much-anticipated activity that the elephant freely participates in.