Carolina Tiger Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit wildlife sanctuary whose mission is saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild.
As students across the country head back to school, some of the animals who call Carolina Tiger Rescue are also learning new things through Operant Conditioning!
Beausoleil Cougar with Education Director Madison
Operant Conditioning is positive reinforcement that is used to help shape behavior in animals. As a wild born cougar, Beausoleil (Beau) is apprehensive about humans (as any wild animal should be!). Beau Cougar does Operant Conditioning for husbandry but also so that there is an individual that he feels comfortable around for when he needs medical care. Check out this video of Madison our Education Director talking about Operant with Beau Cougar.
Mila Tiger with Program Assistant Alyssa
Program Assistant Alyssa trains Mila Tiger for husbandry behaviors. Mila doesn’t do well under anesthesia so voluntary participation in her vet care is very important. Voluntary participation in things like blood draws, injections, eye drops, and more are all behaviors that Alyssa trains for.
Roscoe Tiger and Keeper Kalyn
Keeper Kalyn trains Roscoe Tiger for husbandry but also to help him feel more comfortable around at least one person. Roscoe seems a bit apprehensive of many and can be a bit anxious, so having one person who consistently works with him allows us to give him meds easier, to get a good look at him, and to best care for him.
