Conditioning of nyala (Tragelaphus angasi) to blood sampling in a crate with positive reinforcement

Habituation and positive reinforcement procedures were successfully used for low stress blood sampling of nyala ( Tragelaphus angasi ) at the Denver Zoological Gardens. Four adult females and three offspring were conditioned with a food reward voluntarily to enter a plywood crate for bimonthly blood sampling from the rear leg. Habituated and conditioned, nonsedated nyala could also be given intramuscular injections and be palpated on the udder...