Abstract

Techniques applied to preventive husbandry and early diagnosis of disease in marine mammals is discussed as a practical approach to improved animal longevity. Common health-related problems are identified with comments on new methods of dealing with them. Introduction

This paper is presented to report work that has been ongoing at Marineland, Los Angeles, CA, perfecting the conditioning of behaviors in dolphins and sea lions. These techniques allow for the performance of ail standard medical procedures on a trained and voluntary basis. This work, which is now in routine operation, was begun in the spring of 1983. We felt that since killer whales have for years routinely presented their flukes for blood sampling, other cetaceans and pinnipeds might be trained just as reliably to perform this and other useful medical procedures, and thus greatly reduce the manipulation required to obtain clinical specimens

Materials, Methods and Results

Blood Sampling

Blood is most often obtained from the bottom surface of the flukes. In Killer whales, access to the ventral flukes is generally achieved with the animal in a head-down vertical position, or when horizontally inclined to either the right or left side. In dolphins, the behavior is best attained in the horizontal position, whereby the animal can watch the procedure, be receptive to encouraging verbals and hand/body motions, and where breathing is possible. In this position, he can be conditioned to relax and thus provide a steady base necessary for successful acquisition of the blood specimen.

Shaping of the behavior usually begins with the animal instructed to swim slowly in one direction with the trainer retaining tactile contact. When the flukes are reached, they are held stationary. The animal quickly learns that the flukes are the focus of attention and soon offers them readily. Steady positioning of the flukes against the training platform through several breathing cycles is essential.

Acquisition of Gastric Fluid

This laboratory procedure, utilizing fluid obtained from within the stomach, is very helpful in the diagnosis of stomach ulcers, as well as infections from within the respiratory tract. It entails the voluntary passage of a 2 cm (3/4 inch) diameter tube into the stomach. As far as the dolphin/whale is concerned, he might as well be swallowing a long eel.

The behavior is shaped from the standard stationing with mouth-open position. Generally, the animal is asked to target to two hands, one for each jaw, and held in the mouth-open state. From there, it is simply a matter of repeated positive reinforcement to the insertion of a tube; the only delicate part being passage past the larynx which often requires no more than a slight rotation of the tube and a gentle push. From there, there is normally no further sensitivity.

Acquisition of Fecal Samples

Aside from the monitoring of parasite loads (relevant in animals with access to live or unfrozen fish), the laboratory examination of feces obtained by passage of a small diameter (112 cm) soft flexible tube into the lower intestinal tract can be helpful in identifying inflammation or infections within the intestines.

To obtain the necessary behavior, the animal is positioned belly-up adjacent to the trainer's platform. Core steady positioning is attained, manipulation of the anus with eventual passage of the tube is easily attained through conditioning. With some animals, a small amount of lifting support behind the dorsal fin will help bring the ano-genital opening above the water level. Additionally, while stationed in this position, other aspects of the genital opening may be examined. Marineland's female killer whale "Corky" has long been trained to allow manipulation of her mammary area.

Sea Lions-and Seals

Because seals and sea lions are conditioned to holding on to training platforms, there is a natural opportunity for health-related manipulation. At Marineland, we find that all of the trained sea lions reliably accept tactile handling by veterinary/husbandry personnel, so stethescope examination of the lungs and heart, visual examination of the mouth, eyes, ears, flippers, ano-genital openings, and palpation of the body in general is possible. Additionally, several animals are conditioned to lie in a flat-prone position and will allow injections, including the acquisition of blood specimens. At the National Zoo in Washington D.C., gray seals have been conditioned to allow repeated blood samplings required for research studies. Discussion

Clearly, one of the negative aspects of medical handling of marine animals is the stress and potential trauma associated with capture and restraint, as well as the logistical complications associated with the time required, personnel needs, and maintenance support. By accomplishing the same medical necessities through training, we have achieved obvious benefits to animals and people alike. The fact that the behaviors can be easily trained suggest that, in truth, the ever present resistance associated with capture/restraint procedures is actually in reaction to the restraint process itself, and much less so to the medical procedure being performed. The ultimate result is that we are all much better off.