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A team of researchers have trained stingrays to memorise targets and work for their food.
The test, which was conducted by a team of researchers at Reef HQ in Townsville, InVitro northern Queensland, is intended to enhance the lives of stingrays living in captivity.
The test, which is the first enrichment program
Researchers in Townsville conduct tests on stingrays to make them work for their food
One of the aquarists involved in the study Laura Coulton said it has been an overwhelming success.
'We created individual targets for each of the three stingrays we have here,' she said.
'At first we used some food to bait them towards the target so they became familiar with it. But very quickly, within a week, when we put the targets in they were coming straight to it.'
Another researcher from the project, James Cook University researcher Sara-Louise McCracken, said the test is intended to break up the monotony of caged animal's lifestyle.
'We're wanting to change the monotony and the routines of the daily regimes that can be associated with captive species,' she said.
'So instead of just being presented with their food at the same time every day, with no interaction or thought behind it, we're really making them earn their living, which is a really innate and natural behaviour.
James Cook University researcher Sara-Louise McCracken, said the test is intended to break up the monotony of caged animal's lifestyle
The researchers also hope the tests could allow them to capture the animals with more ease in the future
'We have to keep them thinking, keep them moving, and give them something different in their day-to-day routine.'
The researchers also hope the tests could allow them to capture the animals with more ease in the future.
If the stingray's can memorise the targets, they will be easier to move between exhibits.
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