Some animals at Perth Zoo are trained to enable our staff to undertake essential medical care and routine health checks.

Operant Conditioning is a training method that uses, in its application at Perth Zoo, positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviours. The success of this kind of training relies on voluntary cooperation and rewards the animal.

Routine husbandry needs such as health checks, feeding, providing medication and undertaking crate training can be achieved using Operant Conditioning training techniques.

Successful animal training allows our staff to treat Hsing Hsing, the Zoo's male Orangutan, for his diabetic condition. Hsing Hsing's treatment involves a series of insulin injections and blood tests. Thanks to his training, Hsing Hsing voluntarily presents his arm for insulin injections and his finger for a pin-prick blood sample.

Essential regular health care is provided to a range of animals including the cheetah, Sun Bears, elephants and rhinoceros. Animal training allows keeping and veterinary staff to work with these animals in a way that is not disturbing to the animal. Ear, eye and mouth checks, hoof care and scrub-downs are all made safer and quicker thanks to successful training techniques.

Not only does the training benefit the animal through providing essential care but the training also provides mental enrichment as well.