Lucy, theAsianelephant at theEdmontonValleyZoo, ismanagedinafreecontact system.Theprogramstressestheuseof positivereinforcement trainingasabasisfor workingwiththeelephant. Positivereinforcement ismadeupof Primaryreinforcers(food) or Secondaryreinforcers(praise) whichencouragesdesiredbehaviourstodevelop. Theelephant teamat theEdmontonValleyZoouses"guides" asatrainingaidandsafetyprecaution. Theseguides, whicharedifferent fromold-school bullhooks, areusedtoteach,guide, anddirect theelephant, or toreinforceaverbal cue. Thisisaccomplishedbyaddingaphysical cuetoaverbal cue.

Thiselephant management tool consistsof ahandlewithataperedcurvedmetal guidetipattachedononeend. Thetipsarenot sharp. Theprincipletechniquesinelephant traininginclude:● Bodylanguage, whereanelephant will cueoff thetrainers’ position, postureandbehaviour.● Voice- verbal commandsandadjustingthevoice● Positivereinforcement Aguideisoftencarriedinthebelt loop. It issometimesusedfor alight touchcommand,muchlikeahandtouchwouldbeusedtoguidetheelephant toperformadesiredbehaviour.It isnever usedasapunishment andall membersof theelephant careteamareproperlytrainedintheacceptableuseof it.

Theuseof aguideor anyother itemtodisciplineor strikeanyanimal hasbeenprohibitedattheEdmontonValleyZoofor nearly30years. SizeTheguidesthat areusedat theEdmontonValleyZooareasfollows:● Total Length- 24” to32” inches● Diameter of handle- ½” to⅝” inches● Lengthof metal tip- 1½” inch● Height of metal tip- ½” inch Imagesof oneof theguidesarebelow. A“traditional” stylebullhook: