Modern zoo animal training has shifted toward positive reinforcement methods that improve welfare, reduce stress during husbandry procedures, and allow animals greater agency.
Positive reinforcement training represents one of the most significant welfare advances in modern zoo management. By teaching animals to voluntarily participate in their own care, facilities eliminate the stress and risk of chemical restraint for routine procedures. The voluntary nature of training sessions - animals can always opt out - also provides genuine agency, a key element of positive welfare. Well-designed training programs also provide enrichment through cognitive engagement. Fear-based methods, where they persist, cause measurable welfare harm.