Applied behavior analysis and the zoo: Forthman and Ogden (1992) thirty years later

Fernandez et al. (2023) looked back at a 1992 paper about using ABA in zoos. They updated the old plan and showed where the field stands today.

The authors hunted for new studies that used single-case designs with zoo animals. They wanted to see if behavior analysts are really doing this work.

Very few single-case studies exist on zoo animal welfare. The field is still wide open for behavior analysts.

The team lays out a clear road map: use reversal or multiple-baseline designs to test enrichment, training, or handling procedures with one animal at a time.

Martin et al. (1997) already stretched the same idea to farm animals. They showed that preference assessments tell us what cows and pigs value. Fernandez brings that mindset back to zoos.

Bachman et al. (1988) warned that group designs can hide individual results. Fernandez agrees and pushes single-case methods for each tiger, elephant, or penguin.

Frankot et al. (2024) now urge big-data tools to spot individual differences across many subjects. The two papers seem to clash—one wants tiny N, the other huge N—but they share the same goal: treat each animal as one.

If you consult with a zoo, aquarium, or wildlife park, you now have a ready-made plan. Pick one animal, define a welfare target like less pacing or more foraging, and run a quick reversal design. You can graph the data tomorrow and show the keeper team exactly what works.