.

Man would run past a group of capybaras every day. But he didn’t interact with them… Then, one day, one of them took shelter from the rain under his umbrella. And they became best friends.

.

The animals aren’t trained to do tricks or for obedience as some may think. Instead, it is to assist in husbandry practices to help cooperate with keepers as part of a daily routine.

Not only does this help to build a trusting relationship with the team and a positive perception of visitors, but means animals can learn to voluntarily participate in veterinary care and health checks, and is also enriching and fun for the animals.

 

There are many reward-based training programmes conducted at Chew Valley Animal Park with many of the animals, including the pictured Raina the red fox. We also do training with the coati, raccoon, arctic foxes, parrots, camels, ponies, donkeys, llamas, alpacas, caiman, owls, and even the tortoises!

 

.