Honors Projects

Abstract

Many studies on environmental enrichment devices have been conducted throughout the years on both terrestrial and marine animals in captivity. However, little is known on the effect that submergible enrichment devices have on cetaceans in captivity. This study examines two male Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), Kaiko’o and Nalu, at Sea Life Park, Hawai’i and their interaction with the Magic Box: a device consisting of a submergible vegetable crate weighed down with a weight, flipped upside down with fish underneath. A total of 7 trials were conducted, with data collection on their surfacing behavior before and after the Magic Box was placed into the environment, as well as how often they interacted with the device while it was in the water. The results are inconclusive, as Kaiko’o’s time spent at the surface decreased whereas Nalu’s surfacing behavior was unaffected.

Department

Biological Sciences

Major

Marine and Aquatic Biology

First Advisor

Verner Bingman

First Advisor Department

Psychology

Second Advisor

Daniel Wiegmann

Second Advisor Department

Biological Sciences

Publication Date

12-12-2016

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