Why animals in zoos need choice | Stephanie Braccini Slade | TED Institute

Summary

The speaker reflects on the importance of choice, both for children and animals, drawing a comparison between their daughter’s decisions on clothing and how zoo animals, like chimpanzees, also benefit from choices. Focusing on a chimpanzee named Holly, who exhibited abnormal behaviors possibly linked to sensory integration disorder, the speaker explains how giving Holly and her troop more freedom improved their well-being. By adapting their environment and offering more autonomy, zoo animals like Holly thrived socially and emotionally, which led to behavioral improvements across species at Zoo Atlanta.

Takeaways

• 👗 Choice is important for children's growth and development.
• 🐒 Choice and complexity are crucial for animals' thriving in captivity.
• 👶 The speaker relates the concept of choice in child-rearing to animal care.
• 🙎‍♀️ Holly, a chimpanzee, exhibited abnormal behaviors that were initially puzzling.
• 🤔 The possibility of sensory integration disorder in Holly was considered, similar to conditions in humans.
• 🔍 Consulting an occupational therapist provided insights into Holly's behavior.
• 🌟 The idea of treating animals like needy children revolutionized the approach to animal care.
• 🎯 Implementing choice in animal care looks different in zoos than in human life.
• 🌱 Enrichment programs were adjusted to provide more choices for animals.
• 🐘 The model of choice and complexity is applied to all animals at Zoo Atlanta, including African elephants.
• 🌐 The approach not only meets basic needs but also addresses individual, social, emotional, and physical needs of animals.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the script?

The main theme of the script is about the importance of providing choices to animals in captivity, similar to how choices are important for children's growth. It emphasizes how choices help animals thrive rather than just survive.

Why does the speaker mention her daughter trying on different outfits?

The speaker mentions her daughter to illustrate how children benefit from having choices, and how this concept of choice can also apply to animals in zoos to enhance their well-being.

Who is Holly and why is she significant in the script?

Holly is a chimpanzee that the speaker worked with. She exhibited abnormal behaviors, and her story is used to demonstrate how providing choices in her environment helped improve her social and emotional well-being.

What were some of the abnormal behaviors Holly exhibited?

Holly exhibited behaviors like hair-plucking, rocking, and zoning out. She also had difficulty understanding social cues, such as continuing to scream after the group had calmed down.

What did the occupational therapist suggest about Holly's behavior?

The occupational therapist suggested that Holly's behaviors were similar to sensory integration disorder in humans, where sensory information is not processed correctly, leading to unusual behaviors.

What approach did the speaker and her team take to help Holly?

They adapted Holly's environment to give her more choices, including varied activities, toys, and allowing her to control her surroundings. This approach was designed to help her thrive socially and emotionally.

How does the concept of choice apply to animals in a zoo setting?

In a zoo setting, choices can include allowing animals to decide where to be, who to interact with, and what activities to engage in. These choices are tailored to mimic natural behaviors and improve their well-being.

What changes were observed in Holly after the new approach was implemented?

After providing Holly with more choices, her abnormal behaviors decreased, and her social interactions with other chimpanzees improved, showing positive behavioral changes.

How has the approach of providing choices been applied to other animals at Zoo Atlanta?

The approach has been applied to other animals, such as African elephants, by monitoring their behavior and adapting their environment to offer more choices, ensuring that their needs are met holistically.

What broader lesson does the speaker suggest from this work with animals?

The broader lesson is that all living beings, including humans and animals, benefit from having choices and control over their environment. This promotes well-being, social harmony, and emotional balance.