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RESEARCH DEMONSTRATION DURING
THE WORKSHOP
Zoos have unique potential in order to become places for scientific
research. They can play an important role in learning to understand
the behaviour and the biology of animals. Working with animals
under human care in a controlled environment is particularly
necessary, when for example the capacity of different sensory
systems has to be defined or when animal communication is
being investigated. On the other hand understanding the way
animals perceive the world and how they communicate might
help zoobiologists to design exhibits or habitats for their animals
and offer environments that are challenging from the sensory
perspective, securing in this way animal welfare. During this
workshop two different research projects from Zoo Nuremberg
were presented.
Research Demonstration I – Electroreception in Dolphins
Prof. Dr. Guido Dehnhardt and M. Sc. Tim Hüttner
The ability to sense electric fields is well known in fishes. Normally
these electric fields are produced by prey species and serve as an
important source of information for the predator. Within mammals
only the platypus, the echidna and the Guiana dolphin (Sotalia
fluviatilis) are known to perceive electric fields. The main goal of this
study that is being conducted in cooperation with Prof. Dehnhardt
(Univ. of Rostock, Germany) is to investigate, if bottlenosed
dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) do also possess electroreception.
Main requirement to study not only this, but also other sensory
capabilities, is to have access to a trained dolphin in a controlled
environment. During the demonstration the different steps of a
training session were shown. The dolphin is being trained using
a Go-NoGo discrimination paradigm. First the animal is sent by a
trainer to a station that is located in a submerged apparatus made
of PVC tubes. Above the station device a pair
of copper wire electrodes generate the electric
stimuli. Once the animal is stationed, there are
two options in order to get a reinforcement:
in trials were a stimuli is being presented the
animal has to leave the station immediately
and in trials with no stimuli the animal has to
stay calm in the station device for 15 seconds.
First results showed that dolphins might
perceive electric fields, however convincing
evidence is still lacking. It is clear that this type
of research is only possible with animals in a
controlled environment. It is also important
to point out that this research is especially
relevant in order to know more about the
way animals perceive their world and hence
can provide crucial data for the protection of
these animals.
Short description of practical research sessions
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| Short description of practical research sessions