Communicating with wild animals

J

Jurek7

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
I wonder how many zoo keepers and visitors ever tried to "talk" with animals using their own body language?

I tried it only a few times (I don't have time to learn all species-specific behaviors) and liked it. Animals, too, seemed to be suddenly enthusiastic. I guess they liked human suddenly "understanding them" very much. ;)

I once stood alone in front of wolf enclosure. Wolf is easy - everybody knows how a dog behaves. I lowered myself to half-crouch, stretched hands forward and started waving left to right. Suddenly, whole pack of wolves become interested. They came, waving tails. One wolf was so enthusiastic that he jumped into a moat (it was winter). Then I run along the perimeter. Wolves liked this little run and run with me backward and forward. I run as fast as I could, but wolves just trotted leisurely on their side of the fence.

I also tried calling quiet "trumpet" to a pair of cranes. Well - male came, made typical threat posture and attacked me. I had to go away, calling "kroo" "kroo" as the crane flying away.

Old books of Konrad Lorenz have many examples of him learning animal behavior. But if you try it - be careful not to disturb animals!
 
When I've been in Realm of the Red Ape at Chester when it's quiet, Subis and Emma have both swung over to the windows at different times and "talked" to me for want of a better word, because I was the only one in there. They also put their hand up to mine on the glass. It was quite a special moment, probably because they are so closely related to humans and I could see every little emotion in their faces.

I've also had Ya Kwanza the silverback at Jersey take an instant dislike to me, with the beating of the chest, banging on the glass etc but started to come around later that week by coming closer to the glass and investigating me...
 
I doubt that humans are actually able to imitate the "body language" of a sloth, manatee or tenrec...;)
 
Never had patience for this species. ;)

But dolphins use body postures to communicate and I seen on TV researcher mimicking it.

But I think using body language will help zookeeper. I felt that wolves wanted to make contact and were happy that human finally cooperated.
 
One of the Orangs in Twycross really doesn't like me... Twice I've been, and both times he/she threw his/herself at the glass, or started pounding at it when I approached :S
 
Most zookeepers "talk" to their animals. Every morning the male kookaburra calls to me and I talk back. When my kangaroos are upset by unusual activity or noise near their yard, I sit with them and talk in a calm voice. If they are really stressed I will lie down on a straw bed and show them that I'm totally relaxed and they can be too. This topic just was discussed on the American Association of Zoo Keepers forum. Give it a look if you haven't already seen it. AAZK, Welcome
 
Hi Roykeeper,

Thanks! I can watch AAZK forum but I cannot see the thread. Never mind. Anyway, I feel that "talking" to animals in their own friendly calls or gestures would greatly help keepers.
 
Don't forget how zoo animals "talk" to the vets; I remember one of the orangs at Topeka giving the finger... ;)
 
I've tried head bobbing at some reptile species, seemed to initiate a response or at least interest...
 
A number of years ago ( in my younger years ) I barked at the sealions at Auckland Zoo .
They suddenly shut up and looked around to see who the idiot was !!
 
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