Greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) operant conditioning for artificial insemination program:

a “recipe” for success

W. Shaffstall, Senior Ungulate Keeper

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

Ohio , USA

Wendy.Shaffstall@cincinnatizoo.org

The greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) has readily reproduced in captivity, but lacks genetic variation within the population. Behavioral incompatibility among Indian rhino pairs has made genetic management of the species a challenge and these genetically valuable individuals need to contribute to the captive population. While these individuals need to be represented in the population to enhance genetic health, we have to ensure they are not endangered by an aggressive encounter with conspecific. To this end, we worked in collaboration with Dr. Monica Stoops to use operant conditioning techniques combined with scientific principles, to enhance reproductive practices.

We used operant conditioning principles based on positive reinforcement to slowly progress our training for this program. The end result was the successful conditioning of greater one-horned rhinoceros to artificial insemination (AI) to allow intrauterine semen deposition. This procedure resulted in the first documented case of a calf conceived via AI using frozen-thawed sperm. In addition to the attainment of this goal, we have also utilized our venipuncture procedures to participate in an innovative early fetal sexing determination study.