About this event

Speaker: Tim Sullivan, Director of Behavioral Husbandry for the Chicago Zoological Society Brookfield Zoo’s Animal Ambassador program is an integral part of Chicago Zoological Society’s mission to inspire conservation leadership by engaging people and communities with wildlife and nature. Our Animal Care Professionals work closely with a select group of zoo animals to create memorable experiences for those who have the opportunity to attend these programs. This presentation will bring you behind the scenes to learn how the animal care staff use positive reinforcement training techniques to prepare our animals for their roles as wildlife ambassadors. Tim Sullivan Tim has worked for the Chicago Zoological Society at Brookfield Zoo for the last 42 years. He spent the first half of his career as a keeper/trainer in the marine mammal department and later as a supervisor in the pachyderm department. It was here that he helped develop an elephant protected-contact behavior management program and began teaching training to zoo staff. This experience led to his current role as the Zoo's Director of Behavioral Husbandry. Tim's primary responsibilities are to manage the Zoo’s animal training and environmental enrichment programs developing the knowledge and skill of over 100 animal keepers. Tim also consults on behavioral husbandry at other zoological institutions and conducts international training workshops. Tim is currently on the instructor teams of the Association of Zoo and Aquariums (AZA) annual Animal Training Applications and Environmental Enrichment in Zoos and Aquariums courses. He is active in international training organizations and has been an officer on the board of directors of both the International Marine Animal Trainers Association and the Animal Behavior Management Alliance; an organization he cofounded.

April 04, 2023

Tuesday

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