Positive Reinforcement Training in Captive Wild Mammals: An Integrative Review

This review critically evaluates the impact of positive reinforcement training (PRT) on wild mammals maintained in ex situ environments, highlighting its role in enhancing animal welfare. The synthesis consolidates recent research on how PRT influences mammalian behavior and physiology with a focus on training techniques and types of reinforcers employed. A total of 46 studies from the past decade were analyzed: 17 directly examined the effects of PRT and 29 explored its application within broader ex situ management strategies that incorporated PRT alongside other approaches. Of these, 35 articles detailed the specific positive reinforcers used during training sessions. The findings demonstrate diversity and facilitate the adaptation to management routines, promote behavioral diversity, and decrease the occurrence of stress-related behaviors. Factors such as social interactions, individual motivation, and the variety of reinforcers significantly influence training outcomes. This review provides a foundational framework for applying operant conditioning with positive reinforcement to improve management protocols, veterinary procedures, and conservation efforts. It also emphasizes the need for further research to integrate PRT into projects involving biological sample collection and animal handling, with particular attention to individual animals’ needs and personality traits.