Bambi's First Steps of Positive Reinforcement Training

Bambi’s First Steps of Positive Reinforcement Training

Due to a lack of safe facilities, Bambi’s zoo was unable to fully assess her medically, so there are many questions about her health. We suspect some kidney issues, and her weight loss is a cause for concern. She has some obvious issues with one nail and her cuticles, but she needs a more thorough evaluation of her feet and eyes. In general, she needs a full check-up and, like most captive elephants, medical care, and support. To do this safely, Bambi needs to go through positive reinforcement training.

Bambi’s comfort and confidence seems to be growing. With this, we have begun taking the first very basic steps in training. Since we can’t safely walk up to her and do certain things, we need to teach her to present her feet, eye, and other body parts when asked.

This process begins by showing her what positive reinforcement training is. To overly simplify, we teach her that if she does certain things when asked, she earns a food reward, such as pieces of fresh fruit. While fruit is part of her regular diet, she enjoys it enough that she is happy to “earn” extra fruit. There is never any punishment involved, and she is always free to walk away at any time. As we have shared with Lady’s foot care sessions, the gates are open to leave the barn, or they’re done in one of the big yards, with plenty of space to leave.

We are starting with the very basics- calm touching. The first step is teaching Bambi to place her trunk in our hands in a specific way-nostrils up, for safety. Some trainers use a “clicker,” but to keep our hands free, we use a whistle to mark when the behavior is correct. Right now, we bridge (whistle) almost as soon as she places her nose properly and gently, and immediately reward her. Once she seems to connect the specific placement of her trunk, we will extend the time a little bit on some of the placements. This ‘tiny’ step can actually be very difficult for some elephants who don’t trust in touch. Thankfully, Bambi is okay with human contact, so that is not something we have to work through.

It’s a slow process; we are doing a few very brief (2-5 minute) sessions a few times a day. These sessions consist of Bambi placing her trunk in our hands and enjoying a few treats. She’s still a little uncertain about why we are asking but seems happy to participate when asked. This process will also help with trust and relationship building as she realizes communication is a two-way street.

Photo of Bambi in Yard 5.

October 2, 2020

Comments(35)

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Andy says
October 4, 2020 at 1:27 pm
Beautiful!!
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  Lolita says
  October 5, 2020 at 10:03 am
  Love You Bambi – You Are Extraordinary, Given Your Past…! We Love You We Feel You We See You…!
  - Alejandra Enquin says
    October 19, 2020 at 9:46 am
    Querida,amada Bambi ,ahora conoceras el Respeto,el buen trato,los mimos y la confianza llegara como un balsamo podras vivir tu nueva vida relajada,cuidada y compartiendo logros con otras de tu especie.
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  FRANCINE A FORD says
  October 5, 2020 at 11:36 am
  Food, a great motivator! Thank you to Bambi’s care givers for being so patient with her & all the other girls in your care! Sweet Bambi, you’ve hit the ele lottery by going to Sanctuary!
  ❤?❤?❤?❤?❤?❤?
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  Rosie Hales-Tooke says
  October 18, 2020 at 2:13 pm
  Why is it safer to have her nostril up?
  - Kat Blais says
    October 24, 2020 at 1:37 pm
    harder for her to quickly grab your hand or wrist
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Alejandra(Sandy)Enquin says
October 4, 2020 at 1:35 pm
Espero Bambi que pronto puedan revisar tus valores renales y diagnosticar tu delgadez y otros chequeos,por suerte sos o estas ahora confiada en tus humanos ?intuitiva de los buenos sentimientos del equipo.Sos una tierna elefanta y aprenderas muy rapido para permitir tus sesiones curativas???
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  Beji says
  October 5, 2020 at 9:47 am
  This brave and sweet girl has absolutely captured my heart. I check on her everyday. I hope all her dreams come true!!
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Debbie Sides says
October 4, 2020 at 2:04 pm
She’s such a good girl being a willing participant. Great that she trusts you. She’s been very brave and open it seems since she has arrived.
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Sallie says
October 4, 2020 at 2:33 pm
Trust is numero uno! And the affection that Miss Bambi has for all of you lovely care givers, gives her the confidence she needs to overcome her shyness and her health issues! She is getting there! Thank you one and all!
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elaine richard says
October 4, 2020 at 2:49 pm
Well, whatever Bambi needs, she couldn’t be in better hands.
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Kelejan says
October 4, 2020 at 2:59 pm
We as supporters are also being educated to know what is going on with the training and appreciate all the more the care that you give to these wonderful creatures. I am sure that Bambi will be a star pupil and will appreciate how much better she feels as times passes.
If only all elephants were treated like this.
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Karen says
October 4, 2020 at 3:01 pm
Bambi is a rock star, adapting and learning at an incredible pace. And sooooo cute!
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JoAnn Merriman Eaton says
October 4, 2020 at 3:03 pm
Great progress! Wondering how you would determine kidney issues or evaluate them. Seems a very difficult task. ♥️?
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  Kat Blais says
  October 5, 2020 at 8:38 pm
  When we are able to get a blood sample, we will be able to analyze the status of her organs. To some extent.
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Maria Villa says
October 4, 2020 at 3:07 pm
Ahhhhhh, this is wonderful. Speaking, Thinking good thoughts over Bambi, and the other Girls as well.
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Nancy Nortell says
October 4, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Positive reinforcement is the only way to train. Thank you!! Bambi is looking better every day!
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arie says
October 4, 2020 at 3:57 pm
I’m sure Bambi is going to be the perfect student and I hope you can soon do the necessary tests to get a full picture of her health issues and you can start treatment as quickly as possible if needed.
Fingers ?
?❤️
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Wim says
October 4, 2020 at 4:15 pm
It will be a long and slow process but hopefully her health can still improve overall. Bambi is smart and intelligent and surely will make the right movements to finally arrive in the kitchen of TREATS. ???
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Lori Hoover says
October 4, 2020 at 4:23 pm
LOL I bet she is a bit confused. She’s probably thinking, hey………they know I like touching and all. So, they want to ask for my trunk, hold it a special way, blow a whistle, and feed me? She’s must be wondering on why the need for a whistle? Still, I think Ms. Bambi will figure it out quickly, especially if she gets any peeks at the others or once you move on to other body parts. She is amazing.
I’ve been wondering if it’s too soon to ask about noticing any weight gain on Bambi’s part since she has come into your care? The emotional and mental changes seem immense. I was just wondering if any of the diet change has added any noticeable pounds?
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  Kat Blais says
  October 5, 2020 at 8:37 pm
  She looks like she put on weight to us, but it’s hard to say definitively at this point.
  - Lori Hoover says
    October 6, 2020 at 5:36 pm
    Thanks for the answer. I was thinking I saw I wee sign of some extra weight or tone already too, but as you say, hard to be definite at this point. Bambi has been a real revelation, I can’t help but hope the new diet will be a big help.
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Paula says
October 4, 2020 at 6:32 pm
Deseando lo mejor para Bambi?, agradezco a la vida que ella esté en tus manos…Rezo porque Bambi pueda ser tratada en sus posibles problemas de salud ??????
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Tammy says
October 4, 2020 at 7:21 pm
This just warms my heart hearing how the girls have learned to trust humans maybe not completely but even a little is a huge leap forward considering man is the one who horribly abused them and i can only imagine how rewarding it is to watch them blossom into free Elephants. Great job guys you are both miracle workers with each and every day seeing more progress it really shows your extreme dedication and true passion to help these beautiful gentle giants, stay well God Bless, love and hugs from Minnesota, Tammy
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Elizabeth MacIntosh says
October 4, 2020 at 7:40 pm
I have a feeling Miss Bambi will be a uniquely capable negotiator when it comes to extracting exactly the treats she wants!! LOL. Good news that her positive reinforcement training has begun, and hopefully she will feel comfortable cooperating with you over time so you can address her health needs, etc. Sanctuary has already done her a world of good in just over a week.
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Sheila says
October 4, 2020 at 9:49 pm
i hope bambi can get rid of that lumpy old skin on her forehead soon! has bambi gone in pond yet?
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  Kat Blais says
  October 5, 2020 at 8:36 pm
  Not yet. She has begun playing in the wallow, but not the pond.
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Bo says
October 5, 2020 at 12:58 am
Patience, love, patience, love…
Those ingredients have already done such wonders in my opinion with the elephants.
The team have what it takes to win the trust and confidence of the elephants.
Again, the ingredients are patience and love 🙂
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Carol Anderson says
October 5, 2020 at 1:07 am
I have a feeling that bambilina will be a learning rock star.
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Rosie P says
October 5, 2020 at 3:12 am
I very much appreciate all these informative posts. I enjoy learning about the elephants’ training and how you develop that trust with them through kindness, patience and respect. They couldn’t be in better hands.
Hopefully, in the coming weeks through her training, she will allow you to take some blood and check on her weight loss and state of her kidneys. I know we all want the best for Bambi. She seems to be enjoying her sanctuary life that I hope will continue for a long time.
Thank you for everything you do for these precious creatures. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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Ann-Marie Jacobs-Brown says
October 5, 2020 at 5:15 am
Gosh. Bambi is one beautiful elephant!!
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Terry says
October 5, 2020 at 9:51 am
Bambilino, you have got this girl! You are so smart. Everyone around you wants nothing but what will offer you health and freedom. Eat,learn, and trust sweetie…
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Carey says
October 5, 2020 at 3:03 pm
Again, so much newness to learn. Never a dull moment, wonderful for her. It is shocking to realise that an elephant has lived in captivity all its life, some 50 years plus in Bambi’s case and there are no proper medical records, and elephants can be kept where there is no hope of medical care. Kaavan in Islamabad zoo is one of those, and Four Paws International vets took not inconsiderable risk with their safety to do a CITES med check inc taking blood – without any protected contact facilities. Amazing to watch on the YouTube videos, both the befriending period before hand and the actual medical. Good luck with Bambi’s training.
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Kelejan says
October 19, 2020 at 12:53 pm
Another two weeks have passed and we all hope that there will soon be positive proof that Bambi is putting on weight. Do you have a big platform weighing machine? Have you any idea of her previous weight?
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  Kat Blais says
  October 24, 2020 at 1:37 pm
  we have a scale at the barn. we weighed her a couple of weeks after her arrival and will re-weigh her soon. but that kind of weight should and needs to come on gradually to be healthy. she was not weighed at the zoo, so we don’t have a previous weight.

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