AE Grant Showcase 2023: Choice and Control in Ambassador Animals – Becoming Bear – Animal Behavioral Programming

Racine Zoo present on their grant projects: “Increasing Capacity for Choice and Control in Ambassador Animals”, “Becoming Bear – Bear Burrow Interpretive Exhibit”, and “Advancing Empathy-Focused Animal Behavioral Programming.” The first project provided the Racine Zoo with the materials required to present nearly all of their current ambassador animals using hands-off methods and voluntary participation, highlighting animal agency for all of their audiences. The second project created a new indoor educational space with stationary interpretive elements, allowing for the first non-guided empathy programming at this institution guiding guests through the life of a bear. And their third project
trained staff to implement new voluntary husbandry training and protocols within our animal welfare department and work closely with our education department to develop programs for zoo guests that highlight this work.