Preparing for the Walk on the Wild Side Animal Show

The fox is running free: no harness, no leash as she darts across the stage and with a bounding leap she is up on the backdrop, balancing as she runs across like an acrobat. The raven opens a box with a push of a lever, grabs a tool, and carries it across the stage. Thousands of people enjoy our Walk on the Wild Side animal show each summer. We are often asked how we get the animals to do these behaviors. Why donʼt they run off?

Itʼs called Choice and Control Positive Reinforcement Training. Using some of the most modern forms of training, Animal Care Trainers are able to showcase a full array of natural behaviors of the animals. In this form of training, the animals have a choice every day and in every instance, whether they want to participate or not in the trainings, and on show day. Our job is to make it worth it for them, so they choose it. It is a process that takes time, consistency, clear communication, patience, and a lot of relationship-building. During this process, we slowly add each of the variables that may distract them during the show. We start with the trainers and an empty, quiet theater. Then, we add a few people. Then the music and eventually lots of strangers. That is where our guests come into the picture to help with the training.

We take ten weeks between the end of our winter programming and the start of rehearsal week to proceed through this training process. In April, we open it up for our guests in our Open Training Sessions. We open the theater for any guests to come and observe us train and watch the progress of the animals. Itʼs a time to get a glimpse into how it all comes together! Come stop in for a few minutes or the entire hour. Watch one step with an animal or many repetitions. The choice is yours!

turtlebay.org/animals

Volunteer Info Hour

Saturday, February 18 • 3pm - 4pm

Register online turtlebay.org/volunteer

Find out how YOU can make a difference at Turtle Bay Exploration Park. From assisting with the care of our animal ambassadors to tending flowers in the gardens, helping at special events, and supporting our world-class museum exhibitions and educational programming, there are volunteer opportunities for everyone ages 13 and up!

Learn more at our informal Volunteer Info Hour on Saturday, February 18 at 3pm in Zubieʼs Classroom at Turtle Bay. Staff members from each department will be on hand to provide details about available volunteer opportunities and answer questions one-on-one. Light refreshments will be served. We hope that you will join us

Questions?

Contact Elizabeth Golnick, Education Resources & Volunteer Coordinator

Email: egolnick@turtlebay.org

Phone: 530-242-3155

Famous Artists Childrenʼs Art Exhibition: Contemporary Color and Shapes

turtlebay.org/famous-artist-portfolio

Open Now - April 30

See the creative artwork of local child art learners at the Famous Artists Childrenʼs Art Show! Every year Turtle Bay exhibits the works of students reached by Turtle Bay's Famous Artists Portfolio Program. There is a variety of artwork from K-8 students at schools throughout our community!

Turtle Bayʼs Famous Artists Portfolio Program is an art resource that community members and educators can use to teach learners about important art, art history, the lives of famous artists, and more! This free program allows parents, teachers, and/or community members to present reproductions of significant artworks to students in the classroom. Portfolio prints are organized into nearly 70 age-appropriate themes. Follow-up art activities are suggested for each portfolio.

If you are interested in using this resource for your learners, no artistic experience is necessary; an enjoyment of working with children and a belief that art matters is what is important.

Turtle Bayʼs Nursery

31st Annual

1100 Arboretum Dr • Redding, CA turtlebaynursery.org