Share the post
Armed with grapes, a target stick and a clicker, Trainee Keeper Jake has spent the past 10 weeks working with and training Tao Tao, our male red panda.
The behaviours he is learning will help keepers care for Tao Tao, enabling him to be regularly checked and eventually weighed, all while keeping his stress levels to an absolute minimum.
Many of our animals take part in some form of training exercises. This is to encourage them to exhibit natural behaviours and to assist the keepers in their day to day care of these animals. As with all animal training, Tao Tao’s training uses positive reinforcement, allowing him animal to choose to participate in exchange for his favourite treat.