Aloha Sebastian and Squirt!
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On April 12, 2000 our baby African Ground Hornbill chicks, Sebastian and Squirt, now almost fully grown, have moved to Natural Encounters Inc. in Lake Wales, Florida.
What Is Natural Encounters Inc.?
Founded in 1976 by Steve Martin, one of the best known animal and bird trainers in the world, they are famous the over for innovative and inspirational animal presentations, which strive to connect humans to the natural world.
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They specialize in using non-traditional free-flight birds in shows, which exhibit the birds natural behavior. By using positive reinforcement training techniques, they have presented over 700 free-flight birds without losing even one in twenty years.
There is a strong conservation message underlying the theme of every show.
Sebastian and Squirt
This will be the first time Mr. Martin and his staff will train African ground hornbills. Because they were hand-raised at the Honolulu Zoo, they are quite tame. Our bird-keepers have spent a lot of time with them and are looking forward to reports on their progress. Sebastian and Squirt, like their parents, Abby and Treetops, are very clever birds. They taught themselves to turn on the water faucet in their large walk-in cages. Also they are very good at playing catch, which they learn from the natural behavior of tossing their food up in the air, so that it can get down their throat easier.
Perhaps one day, you will be at one of Steve Martin's bird shows and you will be lucky enough to see Squirt or Sebastian showing you how much they have learned.
Find out more about Natural Encounters, Inc.
Our bird-keepers will miss these two rascals but know they will have good lives!
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