Training AnimalsBuilding Trust, One Click At A Time

Like people, every animal has its own personality. Skye, our older female at around 10 years of age, is gentle and reserved. She is happiest relaxing nearby in the sunshine, quietly observing everything around her. While we are still developing our relationship, it is a reminder that earning an animal's trust can take time, patience and consistency. Those moments of progress make the journey incredibly rewarding. 

Lumi, on the other hand, is a confident and outgoing five-year-old who always wants to be the centre of attention. Whenever I enter the habitat, he is the first to run over, eager to investigate and, of course, hoping for a tasty reward.

At the beginning of August, I started husbandry training with Lumi using positive reinforcement. At Cango Wildlife, we use a clicker as a bridge to communicate to an animal that they have performed the correct behaviour. The first step is known as clicker charging, where the click is immediately followed by a reward. Over time, the animal learns that the sound of the click predicts something positive. Lumi quickly caught on, eagerly turning to me whenever he heard the click in anticipation of his favourite reward - mealworms.

Once he understood the meaning of the clicker, we introduced a behaviour known as target training. This involves presenting a target stick with a small, colourful ball on the end and encouraging the animal to touch the ball with its nose. Training always begins with small, achievable steps, rewarding curiosity and gradually shaping the desired behaviour.

Lumi proved to be an enthusiastic learner. By the end of his very first training session, he was confidently touching the target stick, and after only a few more sessions, the behaviour was well established.

Target training has many practical benefits. It allows us to guide animals to specific locations for routine husbandry procedures or health checks without the need to physically handle them, making these experiences less stressful for both the animals and their caregivers. Training sessions also provide valuable mental stimulation, encouraging animals to problem-solve and engage with their environment in a positive way.

Mental enrichment extends beyond training sessions. Lumi and Skye enjoy a variety of enrichment activities designed to keep them active and engaged. Some of their favourites include chasing bubbles, exploring colourful ball pits filled with hidden treats, rummaging through boxes of shredded newspaper, and tackling stuffed Kong toys filled with mealworms and Dubia roaches. These enrichment activities encourage natural foraging behaviours and keep them occupied while providing an enjoyable challenge.

Working with Lumi and Skye is both rewarding and inspiring. Every training session, every small success and every moment of trust built between keeper and animal highlights the importance of patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. It is a privilege to work alongside these incredible meerkats, and the relationships we build with them are among the most rewarding aspects of animal care.

 Written by: Jesséca Minnie