Migration of the Birds

Photo courtesy of The Cottage House

Perhaps they sense the sun's fading light, or a certain stillness that has enveloped their world -or perhaps it simply is an age-old restlessness that compels them to take flight.  Whatever it is, I'm always captivated by the sound of geese calling cohesively to their small flock as they wing their way south.  

For humans, however, the migration is different.  We often head towards unknown destinations, with no one in particular to follow, no flight-buddy who will drop out with us should we tire, no one to take the lead and block the wind, and certainly there is no cohesive 'honking' -unless, of course, your journey is by car.  Our motivation to relocate is also somewhat unique to our species as well -our boss needs us "over there," we're tired of shoveling snow, we want to be closer to our families (or further away in some sad cases), or others simply need a change of scenery.

My cause for flight is similar to the birds in that I need to eat, and I need to survive.  Unlike the birds however, my survival depends upon generating income -a thoroughly mind-boggling understanding that we are the only species on this planet who has to pay for the right to live here!

Anyway, after having spent 6 wonderful weeks learning lessons from the North American Black Bears last summer, I now am heading into the blue -literally.

Photo courtesy of Sea Life Park, Hawai'i

I have had only a few brief weeks of working with marine mammals in Denmark, and while the Grey Seals and Harbor Seals were highly entertaining, my new professor (below) and others like him, relish in the practice of 'training the trainers.'  I believe this may be why they always appear to be smiling!

The Professor

So, for a brief 5 months, I will be migrating south with the birds, leaving the x-country skis sitting idly by the door, and the birch wood fires warming only those I leave behind.  I will study Atlantic bottle nose dolphin and whale behavior, as well as learn about the care-taking routines and training practices for these graceful and spirited creatures.  I will come home each day to warm breezes, the sound of the ocean waves, and evening meals consisting of fresh tropical fruit, rice, and if I'm lucky, maybe a frozen fish or two from the morning's training session!

'Home' -for the next 5 months

Kailua Beach, Hawai'i

Lesson Learned:

Be it the silent snowfalls of Sweden

or the white, sandy beaches of Hawai'i, 

home lies within.

The Tale of the Three Bears

Once Upon a Time, deep in a forest green, there lived three very spoiled -but loved black bears.  The largest of the three was named Brer Bear.  He was gentle by his nature, slow in his movements, but quick to observe and size up all the coming and going-ons of his territory from his favorite  abode.

Brer Bear - taking it all in

Brer Bear's favorite pastime was showing up for feedings.  He was a true crowd pleaser, and would often demonstrate the importance of good table manners and etiquette for all those who happened to pass by.

In a class all by himself

With all his social graces and charming disposition, Brer Bear still could not attract the attention of Lady Huff 'n chuff -the lovely cinnamon black bear he had known since his earliest childhood years.  She seemed to enjoy tormenting and teasing Brer Bear -especially during the months of May and June.  Every year it was the same, she'd parade about before his gaze, emitting the most alluring perfume, 'eau de cinnamon buns' -their eyes would meet, he'd follow her about, with his head in a cloud- only to be rebuffed and distanced by her backward glare and loud chuffing -it was too much to bear.  

Lady Huff 'n chuff

Being the true gentleman he was, Brer Bear settled into a routine of acceptance and understanding -after all, with 6 feedings a day life was good and he had few complaints.  


All was well for a few blissful months until his human caretakers decided to liven things up in his world.  Their idea of instant energy and motivation for greater activity came in the form of a small, 12 pound bear cub.

After 3 weeks of being contained away from the adult bears, the face to face introduction occurred.  Brer Bear, being both a curious and kindly sort, went over to investigate and introduce himself to this newcomer.  Oddly enough, the puny character ran right up a tree -coming down only to pick at the left-over food and then run right back up again.  It would be months before Mr. Mischief would work up the confidence to pester Brer Bear and Lady Huff 'n chuff and instill new life into their mundane existence.  

But once the games began, they were on-going & packed with trickery.  On land, Mr. Mischief could climb over, under, and around Brer Bear -and in the water, he perfected  scenes from "Jaws" with the ducks, taking time to occasionally splash his senior friend on the shore, hoping to entice Brer Bear in for a swim.  

Four years later, he still continues to endlessly invent games for both his own amusement, as well as for the amusement of all the guests who enter their home.

Such is life in the forest these days -two good friends who run circles around each other, and Lady Huff 'n chuff -who now has her hands full.

Lesson learned:

Accepting someone else's differences can sometimes allow for mismatched characters to  become the best of friends

Brer Bear in the late afternoon sun ~ always lookin' for something to eat

The first two weeks at the facility have concluded, and I'm finally feeling as if the period of adjustment is now settling into a routine.  Along with getting to know the resident bears, I'm absorbing the inner-workings of the center, the personalities of the people behind the scene, and a ton of species-specific information.

I've set up 'home' in a small house which is wedged between a back alley and the local hiking trail that wraps around what is commonly called "Miners Lake."  In the 90 F heat / 190% humidity levels we've had this last week, I've passed the lake every day and wished to no avail for a swimmer-friendly beach to appear.  Unfortunately, it's a mirage -meant to torment even the most heat-resistant human being, as the water level is located 50 feet below a sheer drop off. Even if one could survive the impact from such a height, the anticipation of submerging into a cool, blue lake is lessened considerably by the florescent red color of the water ~ a reminder of the iron ore industry that once existed in this region of the country.  The deep, blue lakes, I'm told, are found further outside of town, so I'll wait for the next nice weekend to set off and explore.

The delicate Lady Slipper is found in abundance in the nearby forests

My days have been busy at the center.  I've immersed myself in doing bear observations -an ethogram to help the center track the activity levels of the bears, I've learned the mechanics of delivering food, and made a list of the high value vs. low value food sources.  Most importantly, I've written up a proposal that is intended to help the facility get their training program up and running.  I anticipate having to begin all over again in order to untrain much of what is in place.  I feel that by backing up, we'll be starting from a clean slate, and hopefully this will help re-establish consistency, as well as provide the training staff with the basics of operant conditioning. As it stands now,  the bears have had one year to effectively train the humans, so I  anticipate running into a few problems that are commonly associated with extinguishing unwanted behaviors.  

There is both a positive and negative side to my situation here at the facility: the negative, of course, is being the new kid on the block, who comes in with lots of new ideas and tries to present new information -and even though it is grounded in scientific theory and the practical application of learning principles, it still means a change for people.  I have already encountered the backlash, and have had to write up a proposal -in addition to obtaining approval from all department heads who will oversee the training program.  The positive? -that I am in a place where I am needed, and above all else, the bears will benefit.

Lesson learned: 

(a very valuable one, for me!)

Have a flexible guideline and shaping plan for humans when introducing a new program because:

No matter what you are defining as "a beginner's level,"

No matter how well you've simplified basic information,

if you meet up with resistance or backlash, 

you've come in too high.

Lower your criteria !!

A Summer, Deep In the Woods

The on-going job search has taken in interesting turn this last month.  It oddly enough will be taking me back to an old, familiar vacationing destination where my family used to spend our summer holidays.

The Boundary Waters National Park is a vast waterway that allows outdoor enthusiasts access across the Canadian -

American border via canoes.  The lakes are deep, clear, abundant with fish and other wildlife, and provide the weary paddler with numerous ledge rocks that function as make-shift outdoor cafes, or listening points at the end of a long traveling day.

The Finnish and the Swedes settled in this area during the late 1800's, building their log cabins and establishing a distinctly Scandinavian culture for generations to follow.

                                                            Photo by: Nancy Jo Tubbs / Camp Van Vac, cabin 25

The North American Bear Center and Wildlife Research Institute is located at the Boundary Waters central hub, and for the next few months, this area will be 'home.'   It is an educational and research center that was started by Dr. Lynn Rogers and his wife, Donna  - the latter being likened to the "Jane Goodall of black bears."  What attracted me most to the institute is that Dr. Rogers is an advocate of 'trust based research,' which simply requires the researcher to develop a relationship with the animal -rather than relying on dart guns, traps, or restraining methods to gather data.  The animal always has a choice in the level of participation.  I have felt the benefits of this approach both when dealing with  abused horses as well as when working with the European Wildcats.  Developing a trusting relationship may take more time in the initial stages, but in the long run, your further ahead.

                                                         Photo by: Dr. Lynn Rogers

So, soon I will be off to the great north woods. My activities over the next few weeks involve breaking-in serious hiking boots, understanding the mechanical workings of a compass, and researching odorless bug repellent.   Such topics for discussion! ...but I wouldn't trade this new life for any other!

Lessons learned:

Don't try to break in new boots all at once...ouch!

Don't position your nose too close to the spraying device when testing the olfactory strength of bug repellents!

Training, 18 Feet Up

Note: delayed entry from February, 2012 

San Francisco is one of my favorite cities.   Yes, it's extreme in places, but none-the-less, intoxicating.  I get up for my daily morning walks, which typically take me down to the waterfront where I can breath in the salt air and feel the chill of the fog rolling back out to sea.  Once there, I take time for a quick cup of coffee, and then I loop back through Chinatown to watch the vendors setting up their wares.  If it weren't for the ringing bell of an approaching cable car, I could almost believe I was in a foreign country.

Over the course of these past 7 days, I've been at the International Giraffe Symposium.  There are both moments of hope and frustration while listening to the researchers talk about dwindling numbers and tireless efforts being made to help Giraffes survive in the wild. I am brought up to date about new veterinarian methods to treat common ailments specific to the species, and I listen to the new discoveries being made surrounding familial and social behaviors of giraffes in the wild. We are also invited to view husbandry training sessions at the zoos in the area.  Using acacia, bananas, grapes and an abundance of other delicacies, giraffes will gracefully and graciously go through their repertoires of husbandry behaviors.  They do seem rather proud of the fact that it takes 2 trainers to work with them -one on the ground to cue and tend to the task at hand (such as hoof trimming or vet procedures), and the other 18 feet up on a ladder to deliver the reinforcer.

Chart above provided by:  

http://www.wildliferanching.com/content/giraffe-giraffa-camelopardalis

Some key points from the conference came from the pro and con discussion surrounding the AZA approval of crossbreeding the Rothschild and Reticulated giraffes in captivity.  While the AZA has approved this method in order to assist the dwindling gene pool, the BIAZA (British/Irish Zoos) are taking a strong stance against crossbreeding.  Because research in the wild has not yet been able to determine if crossbreeding occurs naturally, there are many unknowns.  I also found identification process techniques for field research to be fascinating.  Through the use of photography, spot shapes and designs researchers are able to identify a specific giraffe.  I can only imagine the number of spots I'd see before my eyes after a long day of identifying giraffes in the hot African sun!

Lessons learned:
One can have a good run and still enjoy the view (San Francisco doesn't disappoint).

and
When working with a giraffe, move like they do (slowly and gracefully)!