From: IN%"JPGarner@UCDavis.Edu" "Garner, Joseph P." 1-NOV-2002 15:21:44.53 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "'ISAE (E-mail)'" CC: Subj: feather pecking and cage height Hi everyone - i am having a nightmare trying to track down an experiment... Can anyone else remember an experiment where the severity of feather-pecking in battery hens was worse the higher off the ground the cage was? If so do you have a reference? Thanks! cheers Joe __________________________ Dr. Joseph Garner, University of California, Department of Animal Science, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616 USA Phone: (530) 752 1253 Fax: (530) 752 0175 From: IN%"Dognponyshow@msn.com" "Dognponyshow MCGEE" 4-NOV-2002 08:55:59.99 To: IN%"JPGarner@UCDavis.Edu" "Garner, Joseph P.", IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "'ISAE (E-mail)'" CC: Subj: RE: feather pecking and cage height Joe, I am having much the same problem. Sorry I don't have your study; I did look through my bird stuff, but no luck. I am trying to find a study or studies that were done on calves used for roping. The basic tenant was that if they were handled carefully there was no detriment to the later gain ratios in the feed lot compared to calves not used for roping. Anyone know who did that one? All the rodeo people assure me it was done, but I can't find hide nor hair of it...(pun intended, it IS Monday, after all...) Kasie McGee CSU Animal Science From: IN%"joseph.stookey@usask.ca" 7-NOV-2002 14:11:04.47 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "applied ethology list", IN%"john.church@gov.ab.ca" "John Church" CC: Subj: Livestock Welfare Specialist Hello, Dr. John Church as asked me to the post the following job opening for a livestock welfare specialist in Red Deer, Alberta. If you are interested please contact Dr. Church directly. Joe -- Dr. Joseph M. Stookey Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences Western College of Veterinary Medicine University of Saskatchewan 52 Campus Drive Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4 Canada Provincial Livestock Welfare Specialist Agrologist Level 3 OPEN COMPETITION Red Deer: We are seeking someone with a genuine desire to support Alberta's livestock industry through enhanced livestock welfare. The Provincial Livestock Welfare Specialist provides leadership and technical expertise to Alberta's livestock industry on livestock care issues related to food animal production. In this position, you will take a lead role in public awareness, industry education initiatives as well as develop and conduct interdisciplinary applied research in areas that will impact the quality of animal life such as husbandry practices, disease, invasive procedures and the environment. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required to convey leading edge expertise in livestock welfare developments to department staff and client groups through technology transfer activities and participation on department teams and committees. In addition, you have the ability to network and build partnerships with livestock industry groups, animal care groups, university researchers and government specialists. The position promotes the humane care and responsible use of animals. Qualifications: In addition to your post graduate degree related to farm animal care, farm animal behavior science or livestock husbandry, you have extensive combined experience in livestock production systems, applied research and in the development of programs and technology transfer activities related to livestock care and animal behavior. Experience with a variety of computer programs (word processing, database management, e-mail, internet) in a Windows environment is required. Equivalencies may be considered. Note: It is expected that this position will involve extensive travel throughout Alberta and periodic trips outside of the province. Candidates must be eligible for membership in AIA, APEGGA or AVMA. Salary: $53,184 to $70,092 per annum. If you are an enthusiastic, dynamic, highly motivated self-starter who can work independently while being part of a team, and thrive on the challenge presented by a rapidly changing environment, we encourage you to consider this opportunity. Competition closes November 22, 2002. Please submit your resume, quoting the competition number, in one of the following ways: online at www.gov.ab.ca/jobs or by mail or fax to: Alberta Corporate Service Centre, Human Resources Division, 2nd Floor, 6950 - 113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 5V7; Fax: (780) 422-5138. Dr. John S. Church, PhD, PAg Unit Leader, Livestock Welfare Technical Services Division Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development 301, Provincial Building 4920 - 51 Street Red Deer, Alberta, Canada T4N 6K8 Tel (403) 340-5335    Fax (403) 340-4896 john.church@gov.ab.ca From: IN%"haleyderek@hotmail.com" "Derek Haley" 7-NOV-2002 18:14:58.39 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Applied Ethology Home Page Dear All, We have just recently up-dated the Applied Ethology web page, which we host here at the University of Saskatchewan and we invite you to have a look! A few new things ... 1) the (still fairly new) ISAE Canadian Regional Home Page: http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/isae/isaecanada/index.html 2) the (brand spanking new) links section of the Applied Ethology main page, which has been changed quite a lot and hopefully, improved! http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/links.html Among other links, we now have sections listing: Applied animal behaviour or animal welfare research groups Animal welfare sites and centres Journals Professional societies and associations related to animal behaviour Animal legislation sites Behavioural software and equipment As always, we request your help in filling out the links to make this list as good a resource as possible. If you have suggestions for links that may be appropriate, please send them our way and we will have a look at them. Not all groups have special pages telling about their research programmes in applied animal behaviour or animal welfare. However, many times the associated institutes will have individual web pages, which give information about about the research scientist(s) there, working in AE or AW. If people are interested in having those kinds of who-I-am sites listed, we might create an area for those links as well. (With some effort to reduce redundancy, of course.) Derek __________ D.B. Haley Ph.D. Student Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences Western College of Veterinary Medicine University of Saskatchewan 52 Campus Drive Saskatoon, SK Canada -- S7N 5B4 Telephone: 306-966-7056 Facsimile: 306-966-7159 E-mail: derek.haley@usask.ca _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN 8: smart spam protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail From: IN%"wickens@ufaw.org.uk" "Stephen Wickens" 8-NOV-2002 08:55:50.83 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca", IN%"animal-enrichment@yahoogroups.com", IN%"ANIMAL-WELFARE@JISCMAIL.ac.uk", IN%"ANIMAL-BEHAVIOUR@JISCMAIL.ac.uk", IN%"science.online@bbc.co.uk", IN%"radioscience@bbc.co.uk" CC: Subj: Reminder: Closing date for applications for the UFAW 'Tesco' Award fast approaching The closing date for the UFAW 'Tesco' award (see below) is fast approaching. If you have not yet applied, further information and an application form are available from the UFAW website: www.ufaw.org.uk. Completed applications must be received by 15th November 2002. ---------- New award, the UFAW 'Tesco' Award, launched to promote public understanding of animal welfare science The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) is working with Tesco to launch a new £1000 prize for the piece of published or broadcast work which best communicates to a wide audience the importance and value of animal welfare research. Animal welfare has become a matter of great public concern, and not infrequently, public controversy. Society expects high standards. Public attitudes to the welfare needs of animals however are often based more on emotion than on science. Both the processes and the findings of animal welfare research are not always well communicated outside the scientific and technical community. Both are also often poorly appreciated by the public. UFAW and Tesco are working together to promote better understanding of animal welfare science through this new award: Promoting Public Understanding of Animal Welfare Science: The UFAW 'Tesco' Award. The prize will be awarded for the best piece of work in the English language, which conveys the important contribution of the scientific approach to understanding animal welfare issues. Subjects could include research with companion, zoo or wild animals or any animal used in our service. How can science help us to understand such animals' needs? How can it help us to be sure that we are doing the best for animal welfare? How can it help us to determine when things are going wrong? Applicants may submit copies of either i) articles published or ii) material broadcast during the year preceding the deadline for receipt of application, which is 15th November 2002. Application forms are available on application to: The Secretary, UFAW, The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire AL4 8AN, UK Tel: 01582 831818 Email: ufaw@ufaw.org.uk. or from the UFAW website: www.ufaw.org.uk From: IN%"joseph.stookey@usask.ca" 8-NOV-2002 11:32:09.21 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "applied ethology list" CC: Subj: [Fwd: No competition number] -------- Original Message -------- Subject: No competition number Date: Fri, 08 Nov 2002 10:00:08 -0700 From: john.church@gov.ab.ca To: joseph.stookey@usask.ca Joe, I sent you that Job posting yesterday and noticed when I pasted the competition in the email, I had inadvertently left off the competition number. Would you repost for me with the competition number, Sorry. Provincial Livestock Welfare Specialist AGROLOGIST LE VEL 3 Alberta Agriculture, Food And Rural Development , Red Deer - We are seeking someone with a genuine desire to support Alberta's livestock industry through enhanced livestock welfare. The Provincial Livestock Welfare Specialist provides leadership and technical expertise to Al berta's livestock industry on livestock care issues related to food animal production. In this position you will take a lead role in public awareness, industry education initiatives as well as develop and conduct interdisciplinary applied research in areas that will impact the quality of animal life such as husbandry practices, disease, invasive procedures and the environment. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required to convey leading edge expertise in livestock welfare developments to dep artment staff and client groups through technology transfer activities and participation on department teams and committees. In addition, you have the ability to network and build partnerships with livestock industry groups, animal care groups, university researchers and government specialists. The position promotes the humane care and responsible use of animals. Qualifications: In addition to your post-graduate degree related to farm animal care, farm animal behavior science or livestock husbandry, you have extensive combined experience in livestock production systems, applied research and in the development of programs and technology transfer activities related to livestock care and animal behavior. Experience with a variety of computer programs (word processing, database management, e-mail, Internet) in a Windows environment is required. Equivalencies may be considered. Note: It is expected that this position will involve extensive travel throughout Alberta and periodic trips outside of the province. Candidates must be eligible for membership in AIA, APEGGA or AVMA. If you are an enthusiastic, dynamic, highly motivated self -starter who can work independently while being part of a team, and thrive on the challenge presented by a rapidly changing environment, we encourage you to consider this opportunity. Salary: $53184 TO $70092 Closing Date: November 22, 2002. Competition No. 017324-IN Open Competition Please submit your resume, quoting the competition number, in one of the following ways: online at www.gov.ab.ca/jobs or by mail or fax to: Alberta Corporate Service Centre, Human Resources Division, 2nd Floor, 6950 - 113 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 5V7; Fax: (780) 422-5138. Dr. John S. Church, PhD, PAg Unit Leader, Livestock Welfare Technical Services Division Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development 301, Provincial Building 4920 - 51 Street Red Deer, Alberta, Canada T4N 6K8 Tel (403) 340-5335 Fax (403) 340- 4896 john.church@gov.ab.ca From: IN%"Heath@vetethol.demon.co.uk" "Sarah Heath" 10-NOV-2002 15:39:12.35 To: IN%"reddragn@bossig.com" "Julie Alexander", IN%"personal-protectionk9@yahoogroups.com", IN%"workdogdebate@egroups.com", IN%"victoriahannah@hotmail.com" "victoria", IN%"beauceron@surfbest.net" "Sue Remsberg", IN%"Mindpower101@yahoogroups.com", IN%"do CC: Subj: RE: pheromones and fear Dear All I received this message via the Applied Ethology list and was interested to see that the press release referred only to the DAP diffuser device and not to any supporting behavioural modification programme. Ceva who produce the product have been working closely with Sounds Scary, a company producing specifically designed CDs for desensitisation and counter conditioning work with noise phobic dogs, and have always promoted the use of DAP in conjunction with Sounds Scary CDs and a full behavioural modification plan. The company tell me that all original press releases about DAP have also included information about Sounds Scary but it appears that the BBC have chosen to remove that part of the press release. If any of you would like to obtain more information about Sounds Scary products you should visit the website www.soundsscary.com Best wishes Sarah Heath BVSc MRCVS -----Original Message----- From: Julie Alexander [mailto:reddragn@bossig.com] Sent: 27 October 2002 14:56 To: personal-protectionk9@yahoogroups.com; workdogdebate@egroups.com; victoria; Sue Remsberg; Mindpower101@yahoogroups.com; dogbreedersguild@yahoogroups.com; Canine-Genetics@yahoogroups.com; Ben; b2; Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca; AASHA@yahoogroups.com Subject: pheromones and fear This came from the BBC. If this pheromone can influence sound sensitivity, how many other external factors such as xeno-hormone and gender bender chemicals influence behavior? Are there breed differences in responsiveness? Are there genetic sensitivities to xeno-hormones? Are there breed differences in baseline hormone levels that are influenced by external factors? Can such pheromone influences be used in training applications to enhance desensitization and be gradually reduced with permanent effects? What other pheromones, including the sex pheromones, influence behavior? Is there a similar pheromone that affects human anxiety? Julie Alexander EDITIONS Change to World Monday, 21 October, 2002, 10:24 GMT 11:24 UK Plug-in cure for dogs' firework fear Fireworks can be an annual misery for dogs Dogs terrified by the sound of fireworks are being offered help by a university research team. The University of Lincoln says it has developed a chemical which will reduce the stress experienced by dogs when they hear fireworks explode. With bonfire night approaching, many dogs "find this a miserable time of year, petrified by the unpredictable bangs," says Daniel Mills, principal lecturer in Behavioural Studies and Animal Welfare. The treatment is delivered by a plug-in device, similar to air fresheners, which will send a soothing pheromone into the air. "Many owners resort to seeking drugs for their pets in order to help them cope, but this is a simpler solution," said Mr Mills. 'Chemical barrier' This "dog appeasing pheromone" is a synthetic version of naturally-occurring chemicals which help to reassure newborn pups. Researchers believe that anxiety can be triggered in animals by exposure to sudden and unfamiliar experiences. And this pheromone can dampen these sensations by giving animals an artificial sensation of familiarity, which acts against the tensions caused by the sudden loud noises of fireworks. "Unlike drugs, the diffuser does not sedate the animal and make it sleepy," says Mr Mills. The research, to be published in The Veterinary Record, was based on a study of 30 dogs who had shown signs of fear when fireworks were being set off. And it is claimed that exposure to the pheromone reduced the levels of fear. But the effectiveness depended on the dogs receiving an early exposure to the pheromone, which created a "chemical barrier" to the onset of stress. From: IN%"carlos@playoflife.com" 12-NOV-2002 03:41:27.23 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Ethology Network" CC: Subj: Instinct and innate Can somebody help me with the distinction, if any, between instinct and innate? Where do these sit in the brain? I would appreciate bibliography. Thank you C --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.410 / Virus Database: 231 - Release Date: 31/10/2002 From: IN%"hubrecht@ufaw.org.uk" "Dr R HUBRECHT" 13-NOV-2002 03:29:46.46 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: PhD Studentship Pharmaceutical Housing and Husbandry Steering Committee PhD studentship for research into laboratory animal housing and husbandry UFAW formed The Pharmaceutical Housing and Husbandry Steering Committee, to advance relevant animal welfare research. The Committee, of industry and animal welfare organisations, is inviting applications for research based i= n the British Isles into any aspect of laboratory animal housing, husbandry and welfare, including effects on the quality of science. The cost of the project should be no more than =A323,000 p.a. for up to three years. Application will be by a two-stage process with project supervisors initially submitting a brief concept note by 24th January 2003. Please write for further information and for the Concept Note forms to UFAW= , The Old School, Brewhouse Hill, Wheathampstead, Herts AL4 8AN. Tel. 01582 831818. Fax 01582 831414. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare Registered Charity Number 207996 Science in the Service of Animal Welfare --=20 Best Wishes Robert Hubrecht Dr R Hubrecht Deputy Director UFAW Universities Federation for Animal Welfare The Old School Brewhouse Hill Wheathampstead Herts=20 AL4 8AN, UK Tel +44 (0) 1582 831818 Fax +44 (0) 1582 831414 Web site: www.ufaw.org.uk=20 From: IN%"ndiehl@psu.edu" "Nancy Diehl" 13-NOV-2002 11:00:29.63 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Applied Ethology (E-mail)" CC: Subj: terminology Can anyone help me understand what are the differences between the terms habituation and desensitization? Thanks, Nancy Nancy Kate Diehl, MS, VMD Assistant Professor of Equine Science Department of Dairy and Animal Science, Penn State University 324 Henning Building University Park, PA 16802 phone 814-863-9727 fax 814-863-6042 email ndiehl@psu.edu http://www.das.psu.edu/ personal web page: http://www.das.psu.edu/index.cfm?PageDefs=people/_incShortVitaPgDefsV6.cfm&i d=52 From: IN%"Shetts@aol.com" 13-NOV-2002 12:47:54.86 To: IN%"ndiehl@psu.edu" CC: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" Subj: RE: terminology In a message dated 11/13/2002 10:04:10 AM Mountain Standard Time, ndiehl@psu.edu writes: > Can anyone help me understand what are the differences between the terms > habituation and desensitization? > Thanks, > Nancy > Habituation is the waning of an animal's initial response to a stimulus as a result of repeated exposure. - (without variations in intensity of the stimulus) Desensitization (correct term is systematic desensitization) is exposing an animal to a stimulus on an incremental basis - e.g. starting with a sub-threshold, or low intensity version of the stimulus (e.g. a muffled noise as compared to one at natural volume), and gradually increasing the intensity while evoking little or no response. Typically used with counter conditioning. these definitions can be found in any basic learning text OR in the Professional Standards For Dog Trainers: Effective, Humane Principles, available from Delta Society (www.deltasociety.org) Best, Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D. Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Animal Behavior Associates, Inc. Littleton, CO www.animalbehaviorassociates.com From: IN%"joseph.barber@zoo.ox.ac.uk" 13-NOV-2002 14:10:03.42 To: IN%"Shetts@aol.com", IN%"ndiehl@psu.edu" CC: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" Subj: RE: terminology Dear Nancy, I have also seen the term desensitization used when pairing a negative event with a positive stimulus (this is what I believe Suzanne implied with the term 'counter-conditioning'). When training an animal to undergo a blood draw, for example, one might begin by touching the animal's arm or lib with a blunt object and providing a reward as soon as contact was made. Later, one might specifically reward the animal for not withdrawing. Further on in the process, you might exchange the blunt object for something more pointy (e.g., a key), until finally reaching the point where you can use a syringe - always reinforcing the animal after the contact has been made. This is a long training process shrunk into a nutshell, but I think you get the idea. Joseph Barber __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive greatest hits videos http://launch.yahoo.com/u2 From: IN%"Shetts@aol.com" 13-NOV-2002 17:13:29.89 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: terminology In a message dated 11/13/2002 1:09:42 PM Mountain Standard Time, duz_16@yahoo.com writes: > I have also seen the term desensitization used when > pairing a negative event with a positive stimulus > (this is what I believe Suzanne implied with the term > 'counter-conditioning'). The pairing is the counter conditioning part, not the desensitization part. Counter conditioning can either use an operant approach (reward a 'counter' behavior) OR a classical approach - actually pairing (or more accurately making the unpleasant event predict a good event) in which the pairing takes place regardless of the animal's behavior. Teh first part of Joseph's example is classical, (pair the touch with a goodie) the 2nd step is operant (reward the animal for not withdrawing). It is common to see these terms confused. Best, Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D. Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Animal Behavior Associates, Inc. Littleton, CO www.animalbehaviorassociates.com From: IN%"kc@synalia.com" "kcover" 13-NOV-2002 20:38:36.09 To: IN%"Shetts@aol.com" CC: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" Subj: RE: terminology Hi Nancy, Joseph and Suzanne, I have defined a process which is related which may also be of interest, "Perception Modification". I am a trainer of exotic animals, and a huge percentage of our work is in teaching our animals coping skills (exotics can immediately become ill, suffer organ failure and even die if overwhelmed with stress at any time). A short description of the process resides at my website at http://www.synalia.com/animal_training_animal_emotion.htm This process includes some critical elements: Teaching of intermediate and terminal bridges (to give feedback to the animals on their progress) Relaxation on cue prior to exposures (teaches animal what relaxation is, and how to get there) Expanding cycles of exposure to a challenge (doubles each time, with occasional easy trials) Rests between cycles, equal to duration of the cycle (assists animal in returning to baseline) Trainer who tells animal what is coming and gives feedback to animal's success in coping Often, co-trainer who introduces challenge in cycles, and gives feedback on where in the cycle animal is. The challenge is broken down into pieces, or componants, which are then paired with positive reinforcers. The pieces are then reassembled into a whole encounter again, through this process of cycles. The animal not only now withstands the challenge, he embraces it. For example, at the University of Maryland, Dr. Thomas Hartsock's Swine Unit, managed by Benny Erez, trained a group of pigs to stand voluntarily for blood draw from the vena cava. Initially, this procedure was very stressful to the pigs, judging from squealing, resistence, and other parameters. Training took an average of one hour per pig and the biggest problem that Benny had was that once the perception modification started, all the pigs wanted to be first! So he had to also teach them their names, and to only come forward to work when called. The training was conducted in approximately 5 minute sessions, 3-4 times a week for 2.5 weeks. This is approximately how long it took me to train my seals and sea lions at the National Zoo for a similar procedure. An explanation of the intermediate bridge was just presented in American Animal Trainer Magazine, Oct issue. This tool really speeds the training process. The intermediate bridge was defined some time ago and the definition appears in the IMATA Glossary (of training terminology,) Hurley, J. and Scramozzino, J, 1998. (Original definition was in "An Introduction to Bridge and Target Technique", Kayce Cover 1991 and 2002). Hoping this is of interest and assistance, Kayce Kayce Cover BS Animal Science, MSEd Science Education, PhD student Syn Alia Training Systems http://www.synalia.com Shetts@aol.com wrote: > In a message dated 11/13/2002 1:09:42 PM Mountain Standard Time, > duz_16@yahoo.com writes: > > > >> I have also seen the term desensitization used when >> pairing a negative event with a positive stimulus >> (this is what I believe Suzanne implied with the term >> 'counter-conditioning'). > > The pairing is the counter conditioning part, not the desensitization > part. > Counter conditioning can either use an operant approach (reward a > 'counter' behavior) OR a classical approach - actually pairing (or > more accurately making the unpleasant event predict a good event) in > which the pairing takes place regardless of the animal's behavior. > Teh first part of Joseph's example is classical, (pair the touch with > a goodie) the 2nd step is operant (reward the animal for not > withdrawing). > It is common to see these terms confused. > Best, > Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D. > Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist > Animal Behavior Associates, Inc. > Littleton, CO > www.animalbehaviorassociates.com From: IN%"Gerflannigan@aol.com" 14-NOV-2002 17:25:26.27 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: terminology Dr. Hetts definitions are essentially correct. However: Habituation is considered a natural phenomenon in which an organism decreases it response to a stimulus with repeated exposure (i.e., that is the animal starts to ignore the stimulus). Desensitization on the other hand is intentionally exposing an organism to the stimuli in the attempt to decrease the response. Flooding, systematic desensitization and implosion (only in people -similar to flooding) are all forms of desensitization. In animals, pharmacological desensitization is similar to systematic desensitization by slowly weaning the animal off of an anti-anxiety medication. Gerry _________________________________________________________________ Gerrard Flannigan DVM, MSc Carolina Veterinary Specialists Greensboro/Charlotte, North Carolina 336-632-0605 (Voice) 336-632-0703 (Fax) gerflannigan@aol.com From: IN%"Shetts@aol.com" 14-NOV-2002 18:08:34.72 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: terminology In a message dated 11/14/2002 4:25:34 PM Mountain Standard Time, Gerflannigan@aol.com writes: > . Flooding, systematic > desensitization and implosion (only in people -similar to flooding) are all > > forms of desensitization. Actually, the learning literature indicates that flooding is very different from desensitization. Flooding is the prolonged exposure of the subject to a fear or anxiety producing stimulus (usually not at an attenuated intensity) until the fear diminishes. Flooding does not involve gradual exposure or have the goal of not eliciting the fearful response (characteristics of desensitization). In fact, Kazdin (1994) describes flooding as usually eliciting high levels of anxiety, which is why flooding can be dangerous to the animal, and is often difficult to implement as the exposure must continue long enough for the fear/anxiety to diminish. If this doesn't happen, the fear can actually be exacerbated. Strapping a saddle on a naive horse and letting him buck and try to get it off until he stops is an example of flooding. While habituation certainly occurs spontaneously, or 'naturally', situations can also be set up to make it occur, and thereby use it as a behavior modificaiton technique. best, Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D. Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Animal Behavior Associates, Inc. Littleton, CO www.animalbehaviorassociates.com From: IN%"apewelfare@yahoo.co.in" "=?iso-8859-1?q?Dr.=20G.=20Agoramoorthy?=" 15-NOV-2002 03:08:10.85 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Announcement Announcement The Research and Conservation Department in Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), which manages the Singapore Zoological Gardens, Night Safari, and Jurong BirdPark aims to promote research and conservation on endangered species, by directing, coordinating and facilitating all relevant activities in the institutions. Local and foreign nationals interested in conducting research at WRS institutions shall contact the Research and Conservation Department for a copy of the application procedures. The Research and Conservation Department has resumed stewardship of the Wildlife Conservation Fund, which is renamed as the Wildlife Research and Conservation Fund. A committee composed of senior managers from the Wildlife Reserves Singapore will judiciously manage the fund. The fund will support research and conservation of endangered species, especially in the biological hotspots in South East Asia. Native biologists from government and non-government organizations and students from South East Asian countries are encouraged to apply for the Wildlife Research and Conservation Fund to carry out conservation research projects to protect endangered species and their habitats. Interested applicants shall contact the Research and Conservation Department for details. We look forward to working with you. Thank you for your attention. Best Regards, Dr G Agoramoorthy Director (Research & Conservation) Singapore Zoological Gardens Wildlife Reserves Singapore 80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore Email: agoram@mail.nsysu.edu.tw ________________________________________________________________________ Missed your favourite TV serial last night? Try the new, Yahoo! TV. visit http://in.tv.yahoo.com