Winston, Or (KMTR) Wildlife Safari has come up with a way to get their bears the medical attention they need, while keeping staff safe. It’s called "sleeve training", a way to give bears their shots, even administer care, all without spooking the animals with a tranquillizer filled dart.
The bears use what's called a "sleeve", basically a P.V.C. pipe retrofitted to the bear’s fenced in area. Every time they stick their paw in it, they get some treats. It’s normally used to give shots or draw blood, but can also be used to treat minor injuries to the bear’s paws.
It also helps to build a level of trust between the animals and their vets. Instead of associating a veterinarian with scary shots or darts, staff says the animals get excited, knowing they'll receive a snack for their patience.
