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Research in zoos is an important scientific endeavor that requires several complex considerations in order to occur. Among those many considerations are the ethics involved in conducting zoo research. However, it is not always clear how zoo researchers should go about resolving any research ethics matters, even determining when "some" type of research ethics committee "should" be involved in those deliberations. Our paper attempts to provide some resolutions for these issues, namely in three sections: (1) a brief history of human and animal research ethics, (2) general guidelines for zoo research ethics applications, and (3) theoretical, ethical dilemmas at the zoo. In each section, we consider pragmatic attempts to resolve any issues, as well as provide examples to illustrate our points. The primary focus of the paper is to facilitate consideration of the wide array of ethical factors any zoo researcher might encounter, as well as provide a basic set of ethical guidelines for zoo research. We also emphasize the importance of the welfare of the animals for all zoo research projects.

This study examined two procedures for establishing halter behavior (i.e., acceptance of wearing and being led via a halter) and decreasing undesired behavior in three petting zoo goats: a fixed-time 15-s (FT-15-s) schedule and shaping involving a clicker. The FT schedule was successful in training initial approximations, but over a longer period for the one goat presented in this article. The shaping procedure rapidly advanced the final approximations to the target behavior and resulted in a large reduction in undesired responses once the target response was reached. The procedures were also equally effective at reaching the target response and greatly reducing undesired responses for the other two goats not presented in this article. This study is one example of an effective way to experimentally examine shaping procedures, as well as promote the use of force-free halter training and behavior in goats. Keywords Animal training * Goats * Husbandry * Petting zoo * Response-independent schedules * Shaping, Shaping has been described as the differential reinforcement of successive approximations to a target response (Pryor, 1999; Skinner, 1953). The first use of the word 'shaping' occurred in Skinner's (1951) [...]

Background: We aimed to assess whether stress, boredom, drinking motives, and/or inhibitory control were related to alcohol use during a period of social isolation. Method: Analyses were carried out on questionnaire data (N = 337) collected during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (7 April–3 May 2020). We first assessed changes in drinking behavior, stress and boredom. We then regressed drinking behavior on drinking motives, inhibitory control, stress, and boredom. We also investigated interactions between change in stress/boredom and inhibitory control. Results: A minority of respondents reported increased alcohol use (units = 23.52%, drinking days = 20.73%, heavy days = 7.06%), alcohol-related problems (9.67%), and stress (36.63%). Meanwhile, most respondents reported increased boredom (67.42%). Similarly, boredom significantly increased (B = 21.22, p <.001), on average, while alcohol-related problems decreased (B = −1.43 p <.001). Regarding drinking motives, decreased alcohol-related problems were associated with social drinking motives (B = −0.09, p =.005). Surprisingly, risk-taking was associated with decreased alcohol-related problems (B = −0.02, p =.008) and neither stress nor boredom independently predicted changes in alcohol use. Finally, several significant interactions suggested that those who were more impulsive and less bored were more likely to report increased alcohol use and vice versa. Conclusions: These data provide a nuanced overview of changes in drinking-related behavior during the COVID-19-induced period of social isolation. While most people reduced their drinking, there was evidence of complex interactions between impulsivity and boredom that may be explored in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of applied behavior analysis has been directly involved in both research and applications of behavioral principles to improve the lives of captive zoo animals. Thirty years ago, Forthman and Ogden (1992) wrote one of the first papers documenting some of these efforts. Since that time, considerable work has been done using behavioral principles and procedures to guide zoo welfare efforts. The current paper reexamines and updates Forthman and Ogden's original points, with attention to the 5 categories they detailed: (a) promotion of species‐typical behavior, (b) reintroduction and repatriation of endangered species, (c) animal handling, (d) pest control, and (e) animal performances. In addition, we outline 3 current and future directions for behavior analytic endeavors: (a) experimental analyses of behavior and the zoo, (b) applied behavior analysis and the zoo, and (c) single‐case designs and the zoo. The goal is to provide a framework that can guide future behavioral research in zoos, as well as create applications based on these empirical evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1948, Skinner described the behavior of pigeons under response‐independent schedules as "superstitious," and proposed that the responses were reinforced by contiguous, adventitious food deliveries. Subsequently, response‐independent schedules have been of interest to both basic and applied researchers, first to understand the mechanisms involved, and later, as "noncontingent reinforcement" (NCR) to reduce undesirable behavior. However, the potential superstitious effects produced by these schedules have been challenged, with some researchers arguing that antecedent variables play a significant role. This paper examines the evidence for adventitious reinforcement from both laboratory and applied research, the results of which suggest that antecedent, nonoperant functions may be important in fully understanding the effects of NCR. We propose an applied‐basic research synthesis, in which attention to potential nonoperant functions could provide a more complete understanding of response‐independent schedules. We conclude with a summary of the applied implications of the nonoperant functions of NCR schedules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The re-release of golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia), from zoos into the wild, is considered to be an ex situ conservation success story. However, zoo-born golden lion tamarins have lower survival rates than their wild-born offspring, potentially due to deficient foraging and locomotion 'survival skills' acquired in captivity. The current study aimed to evaluate whether a puzzle feeder suspended and baited with different items could promote increased foraging and general activity in tamarins living in a zoo setting. A pair of tamarins at Woodland Park Zoo received the puzzle feeder in three conditions in an ABCACB experimental reversal design over a period of three months: an empty feeder and feeders baited with either fruit (raisins) or insects (mealworms). Food type affected behavior; time spent climbing increased when the feeder contained insects compared to fruit. Subjects interacted with the baited puzzle feeder device significantly more than the empty feeder, and use was highest within the first 30 minutes of exposure. Our results suggest that the puzzle feeders plus food were effective in increasing foraging and general activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted theoretically for the organometallic compound (NBu(sub 4)(sub 2) [Au(3,5-C(sub 6)F(sub 3)Cl(sub 2))(sub 2) Ag(sub 4)(cF(sub 3)CO(sub 2)(sub 5)], whose dianionic part displays a AuAg(sub 4) square pyramidal arrangement based on closed-shell Au(I)...Ag(I) interactions between two monoanionic fragments. The modelsystem [AuPh(sub 2)](super -)...[Ag(sub 4(CO(sub 2)H)(sub 5)](super -) (C1) was choosen from DFT results as an appropriate model for the study of the interactions.

The loosely bound butterfly luminescent clusters [Au(sub 2-)Tl(sub 2)(C(sub 6)Cl(sub 5))(sub 4).L (L = PhMeC=o, acacH) and [Au(sub 2)Tl(sub 2)(C(sub 6)-Cl(sub 5))(sub 4)(bipy)].(acacH) are prepared via the reaction of [AuTl(C(sub 6)Cl(sub 5))(sub 2)](sub n) with ketones. Their luminiscence in solution and their conductivity measurements, are in agreement with the maintenance of the Tl...Tl contact in solution.