As Assistant Curator in the Zoological Department, Steve Aibel coordinates and directs the animal training, husbandry, and enrichment efforts of trainers at SeaWorld San Antonio. With 27 years of animal training experience, Steve’s expertise is with cetaceans and pinnipeds, but has focused primarily on killer whales, bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales. Steve has also consulted with many different organizations such as Service Dogs Inc. on applying the principles of positive reinforcement methodology.
Steve is a professional member of the International Marine Animal Trainers Association (IMATA) and Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA) and has presented both papers and posters focusing on behavior, training, and husbandry of marine mammals. At SeaWorld, Steve has presented Whale Done seminars to large corporations emphasizing the benefits of positive reinforcement in the corporate environment. Finally, Steve holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology from the University of Delaware and has previously worked at SeaWorld Orlando, the National Aquarium in Baltimore and the National Zoo in Washington D.C.