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Staff & Directors | Birds and Other Animals | Facilities
LEADERS IN ANIMAL TRAINING AND PRESENTATION
Steve Martin is one of the best-known animal trainers in
the world. In 1976 he set up the first bird show of its kind
at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. His use of non-traditional,
free flight birds combined with an inspiring conservation
message set this show apart from all other animal shows.
Four years later, Steve left the Wild Animal Park to establish “The
World of Birds Show, Inc.” and present his programs
at zoos across the United States.
In 1991, The World Of Birds Show, Inc. was renamed Natural
Encounters, Inc. (NEI). This new name better defined the
direction and goals of the company, which are to Engage,
Inspire, and Empower people at their shows through the
exhibition of animals demonstrating natural behaviors,
carefully designed dialogue, and entertaining choreography.
These shows now entertain and educate millions of people
each year.
NEI’s animal training expertise has grown far beyond
birds. Steve’s history of training free-flight birds
had a profound effect on preparing him for training other
species in zoos and aquariums. Perhaps the most important
influence on his training ability was knowing that the
consequence of a poor training decision could result in
the loss of his animal ... it could just fly away! This
unique liability forced him to develop insights, skills
and scientifically sound training strategies that might
not have been as important if he were training animals
confined in enclosures.
Natural Encounters, Inc. quickly grew from a bird show
provider to a company specializing in animal behavior and
visitor experience. In 1988 NEI began consulting on zoo-wide
animal behavior issues and teaching keepers the art and
science of animal training. Steve and his staff at NEI
have now trained hundreds of species from marmosets to
elephants and even reptiles and fish. Plus, they have taught
their animal training techniques to over 600 people in
nine countries.
Throughout the zoological community, demand for establishing
behavior management programs has increased. In response,
NEI has brought together the most experienced, cross-disciplinary
behavior management training and program development team
available. These professionals come from the fields of animal
training, biology, psychology, behavior analysis, theater,
and show production. Their expertise encompasses a wide breadth
of taxa found in zoological collections. In addition to the
project leaders and consulting staff, NEI also employs over
twenty full-time animal trainers.
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