This episode continues the learning of Behavior Month 2023 with special guests Clarie Santiago and Hunter Peck from Natural Encounters, Inc. who discuss this week's theme for Behavior Month 2023: The Evolution of Enrichment. This is also an exciting episode for the fact that this was a live, in-person recording at the NEI Ranch because NEI graciously hosted The ABMA's 2023 midyear meeting! In this episode our guests discuss the evolution of enrichment, both on a holistic level and within a specific team or facility. Clarie and Hunter also contemplate the shift of enrichment towards behavior-based and how training, enrichment, and behavior are not mutually exclusive, but in fact all related. Stayed tuned for two "Training Tales" this episode! Clarie talks about a daring flight from a black kite and Hunter explains how a pigeon named Blade learned to fly. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to reach Clarie and Hunter you can message them on Facebook.  Let's talk some training!

8:15 Introduction to Clarie Santiago and Hunter Peck 

14:15 The evolution of enrichment 

16:20 The evolution of enrichment on a team/in a facility 

21:50 Behavior, enrichment, and training - Not mutually exclusive topics 

29:10 Shifting the focus towards behavior and away from interactions 

31:25 Enrichment as a tool to decrease “undesirable” behaviors 

38:05 Can something that the animal “doesn’t like” still be considered successful enrichment? 

41:50 Focusing on enrichment for a species as a whole and at an individual level

45:30 Hunter and Clarie’s enrichment opportunities that they are excited to implement in the future 

47:15 “Training Tales”