Applications of Animal Training in Various Fields

some benefits of using animals

more sophisticated sensory systems – smell – vision – hearing , smaller, more maneuverable , simple discrimination training/cost effective

Pigeon vision

superior color vision , can see ultraviolet wavelengths , UV: shorter wavelengths than “visible” light

bird vision

340° visual field , large eyes , dual fovea

Head bobbing

Pigeons bob heads to stabilize vision while walking.

Pigeon Search & Rescue

Ps trained to peck when person spotted in ocean, guided pilots , tested accuracy P vs. H – P: 93% H: 38% – P: fewer false positives – & didn’t get bored!

Skinner :Operation Pigeon

WWII initiative training pigeons to guide bombs, P recognized battleships on radar better than H

Applications of dogs

sense of smell more acute , applications: – explosives – search for people – cancer

Rat detection

acute sense of smell – small, cheap, abundant, easy to transport, resistance to tropical diseases , landmine detection – 80 million mines in 60 countries – 50 people/day killed or injured – trained rat: $2,000 – trained dog: $12,000

Honeybee training

•trained to respond to environmental anomalies (e.g., landmines, chemical weapons, explosives)

bees cont.

•trained to respond to environmental anomalies (e.g., landmines, chemical weapons, explosives),

A colony (40k-65k bees) costs ~$100 – trained in < 2 hrs – early tests: 98% success – will continue to work for days w/o food

Dolphins

US Navy; to find underwater mines , sonar abilities make them ideal

Sea lions' role

Sea lions detect enemy swimmers near naval vessels.

Coast Guard

trained pigeons in the late 70’s early 80’s