Papers by Angela Millwood Lacinak
Anthrozoös
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IMPROVING ANIMAL WELLNESS AND GUEST EXPERIENCE THROUGH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND SECONDARY REINFORCERS WITH A GOLIATH GROUPER (EPINEPHELUS ITAJARA), 2016
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Perceptions of animal emotions during human-animal interactions in an aquarium setting, 2019
Animal welfare is of increasing concern in zoological facilities (Vasconcellos et al., 2016). Wha... more Animal welfare is of increasing concern in zoological facilities (Vasconcellos et al., 2016). What’s more, the turn to focus on individual animals rather than collections is gaining traction from within zoos and aquariums, the public, and academia. This study provides a look into how professional animal care staff and college-level students perceived the emotional well-being of two individuals: Lulu, a ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) and Cleatus, an Atlantic goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara), in residence at The Florida Aquarium. Perceptions are taken from two contexts: with and without human interaction. The study generated 148 different descriptors, reflecting 84 different perceptions regarding the animals’ emotional states. Comparisons of control clips versus animal-human interaction clips reveal a 13-27% increase in positive perception of animal emotions and correlated welfare in the case of Lulu the lemur during human- interaction activities and a 45-51% increase under the same conditions for Cleatus the goliath grouper (all respondents versus student respondents). This study reveals that perceptions of animal emotions and correlated welfare are elevated during human-animal interactions (HAIs). Though these results offer a snapshot into how humans believe animals feel as a result of their care and not how the animals actually feel, there is evidence to support that positive HAIs contribute to increased welfare for both humans and other animals (Hosey & Melfi, 2012; Ward & Melfi, 2013).
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Representations and reality of the killer whale (Orcinus orca), Keiko, in the movie Free Willy, 2017
Free Willy was an inspiring movie, a literal ‘call to action’ for animal rights activist and anim... more Free Willy was an inspiring movie, a literal ‘call to action’ for animal rights activist and animal lovers in mass who dreamt of liberating a sentient whale from his bondage – a fate they were certain he wanted. ‘Willy’ was a fictitious representation. He was the underdog that people wanted to connect with, wanted to save. According to Baker, “To see animals at all is to see them as something – as something we have made meaningful” (1993: p.180). In Free Willy, ‘Willy’ jumps the wall to freedom. In the real world, Keiko was told he would be ‘free’ to rejoin his family pod, but chose his human family instead. Perhaps this is the ultimate act of speciesism (Ryder, 2000) – the assumption by humans that they are superior enough to know what was best for the most famous whale in history rather than watching his actions and succumbing to his will. “Although wildlife films often look and feel like documentary... [they are] not always the best place to look for truth” (Bouse, 2003: p.130).
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Thesis Chapters by Angela Millwood Lacinak
Factors that Influence African elephant (Loxodonta africana) Participation in Positive Reinforcement Learning Contexts, 2018
Elephants (Loxodonta africana) are of extraordinary interest to the zoological community, conserv... more Elephants (Loxodonta africana) are of extraordinary interest to the zoological community, conservation organizations and individuals globally. As iconic high-profile megafauna, there is much documented regarding their conservation status, their conflicts with humans and their predominant health issues. Very few writings, however, are concerned with human-elephant interactions in zoo environments.
This study analyzes the learning sessions of three African elephants and four human behaviorists at ZooTampa at Lowry Park in Florida. Qualitative and quantitative data are explored as human- elephant interactions during elephant learning sessions are knotty, particularly given the complexities of the interactions between these two intelligent species.
The findings reveal a high level of commitment from the elephants to engage in learning sessions, with an average of 95% (n=34/36). Of the sessions evaluated, the elephants emitted desirable responses to behavioral cues to expected criteria 93% of the time. Behaviorists utilized a variable ratio schedule of reinforcement with a median 70% reinforcement rate. Through the course of the study, general trends emerged such as: better participation for less repetitive behavioral requests, and an appreciation for tactile stimulation as a reinforcer. The most significant correlation of the study reveals that the more experience teaching animals the behaviorists possess, the more participatory the elephants. Yet, none of the overarching trends illuminated in the study held true for every elephant. There is consistently an exception, highlighting the necessity of considering the individual umwelts of both elephants and humans during these inter-species interactions.
Keywords
Elephants, Positive Reinforcement, Schedules of Reinforcement, Human-Animal Relationships, Animal Training
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Papers by Angela Millwood Lacinak
Thesis Chapters by Angela Millwood Lacinak
This study analyzes the learning sessions of three African elephants and four human behaviorists at ZooTampa at Lowry Park in Florida. Qualitative and quantitative data are explored as human- elephant interactions during elephant learning sessions are knotty, particularly given the complexities of the interactions between these two intelligent species.
The findings reveal a high level of commitment from the elephants to engage in learning sessions, with an average of 95% (n=34/36). Of the sessions evaluated, the elephants emitted desirable responses to behavioral cues to expected criteria 93% of the time. Behaviorists utilized a variable ratio schedule of reinforcement with a median 70% reinforcement rate. Through the course of the study, general trends emerged such as: better participation for less repetitive behavioral requests, and an appreciation for tactile stimulation as a reinforcer. The most significant correlation of the study reveals that the more experience teaching animals the behaviorists possess, the more participatory the elephants. Yet, none of the overarching trends illuminated in the study held true for every elephant. There is consistently an exception, highlighting the necessity of considering the individual umwelts of both elephants and humans during these inter-species interactions.
Keywords
Elephants, Positive Reinforcement, Schedules of Reinforcement, Human-Animal Relationships, Animal Training
This study analyzes the learning sessions of three African elephants and four human behaviorists at ZooTampa at Lowry Park in Florida. Qualitative and quantitative data are explored as human- elephant interactions during elephant learning sessions are knotty, particularly given the complexities of the interactions between these two intelligent species.
The findings reveal a high level of commitment from the elephants to engage in learning sessions, with an average of 95% (n=34/36). Of the sessions evaluated, the elephants emitted desirable responses to behavioral cues to expected criteria 93% of the time. Behaviorists utilized a variable ratio schedule of reinforcement with a median 70% reinforcement rate. Through the course of the study, general trends emerged such as: better participation for less repetitive behavioral requests, and an appreciation for tactile stimulation as a reinforcer. The most significant correlation of the study reveals that the more experience teaching animals the behaviorists possess, the more participatory the elephants. Yet, none of the overarching trends illuminated in the study held true for every elephant. There is consistently an exception, highlighting the necessity of considering the individual umwelts of both elephants and humans during these inter-species interactions.
Keywords
Elephants, Positive Reinforcement, Schedules of Reinforcement, Human-Animal Relationships, Animal Training