Over the past three days I had the opportunity to participate in an intensive hands-on workshop focused on the application of behavior analysis with animals. The program was led by behavior specialists including Hilary Hankey and Barbara Heidenreich, and took place at Avian Behavior International and Wild Wonders (California).
Some weeks ago I visited the Eco Park in Buenos Aires — a place that once was called a zoo.
The name changed, reflecting a societal shift in how people wish to relate to animals. Along with that change, many animals were relocated, and numerous enclosures now stand empty. Walking through the park, the absence is noticeable — spaces once occupied are now quiet. In many ways, this feels both hopeful and melancholic. Fewer animals, more space. A step forward. And yet, the animals who remain still depend entirely on human care, attention, and purpose.
