DOCSLIB.ORG

Function of Play in Behavioral Enrichment of Captive Asian Elephants (Elephas Maximus)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Function of Play in Behavioral Enrichment of Captive Asian Elephants (Elephas Maximus) FUNCTION OF PLAY IN BEHAVIORAL ENRICHMENT OF CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANTS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS) By CONNIE K. DUER Bachelor of Arts in Natural Science Avila University Kansas City, Missouri 1989 Master of Science in Biology Missouri State University Springfield, Missouri City 2004 Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College of the Oklahoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY July, 2009 FUNCTION OF PLAY IN BEHAVIORAL ENRICHMENT OF CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANTS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS) Dissertation Approved: Dr. Charles I. Abramson Dissertation Adviser Dr. Larry G. Talent Dr. Anthony A. Echelle Dr. Timothy J. Bowser Dr. A Gordon Emslie Dean of the Graduate College ii ACKNOWEDGMENTS “Knowledge and understanding are life’s faithful companions who will never prove untrue to you. For knowledge is crown, and understanding your staff; and when they are with you, you can posses no greater treasure.” Kahlil Gibron First and foremost I want to thank God for the power of Prayer and for all those dear souls who practice it. Without them this manuscript would not have been possible. May I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the succeeding organizations and individuals? Each has played an essential role in making this research possible. My thanks to the Dickerson Park Zoo and the Friends of the Zoo and their management and staff for the opportunity to carry out our research. Particular recognition and thanks to Melissa Carden, Ph.D. and Nicole Conover whose diligence made this study possible. I extend my gratitude to Oklahoma State University and all the many people who work rigorously to help each student overcome obstacles and achieve their goal. My sincere appreciation to the Zoology Department as well as the Graduate College for their support and guidance. I would be remiss if I did not give special recognition to Dr Talent, Dr. Echelle, and Dr. Boswer for their expertise and willingness to hang in there with me when it would have been easier not to. If there were such as thing as The Metal of Honor for valor and perseverance above and beyond the call of duty for a major advisor it would have to be given to Dr Abramson. There are not enough words to express my appreciation for his dedication to iii getting me through. He started the journey with me and honored his word to see me through. An abundance of appreciation to my friend and Son-in-Law, Dave Luedde, for his friendship and encouragement. He made the difference so many times. To my daughter Stephani Luedde who has believed and hoped when I couldn’t; I send my love and gratitude. Last but far from least, I acknowledge the elephants who allow us to observe and record their lives. I can only hope that in some small way we have made their lives better. Dr. Rasmussen, know that your light has not gone out. iv Dedicated to Onyx “Thus spoke the speechless animal whom my heart had understood.” Kahlil Gibran v TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. A COMPREHENSIVE PREFACE TO LIVING MEMBERS OF ORDER PROBOSCIDAE ............................................................................ 1 Chapter Rationale ...................................................................................1 Fossil Record and Evolution of the elephant……………………. ........1 Superorder Paenungulata .....................................................................6 Superorder Tethytheria (“beasts of the Tetys”) .....................................7 Family Elphantidae: Loxodonta and Elephas ......................................11 Present Day Elephant Population in Asia ............................................14 Reproductive and Social Behavior of Asian Elephants in the Wild ....16 Summary ..............................................................................................20 II. ACCOUNT OF ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY AND MANAGEMENT OF CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANTS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS) ................. 22 Chapter Rationale ............................................................................... 22 History of Zoos .................................................................................. 22 Modern Day Zoos .............................................................................. 27 Differentiation of “Animal Rights” and Animal Welfare” ................ 28 History and Formation of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AZA) ............................................................. 30 North American Asian Elephant Population ...................................... 32 Husbandry of Asian Elephants in North American Zoos .................. 33 Meeting the Challenges of Captive Breeding .................................... 36 Summary ............................................................................................ 38 III. AFFILIATION OF STRESS AND WELL-BEING IN CAPTIVE ANIMALS .................................................................................................. 39 Chapter Rationale ............................................................................... 39 Stress Defined .................................................................................... 39 Nature of Stress .................................................................................. 40 Acute and Chronic Stress Response and its Outcome ....................... 41 Coping Mechanisms and Stereotypic Behavior ................................. 43 Adaptive Features of Stress ............................................................... 46 Comparing the Captive Animal to its Wild Counterpart ................... 48 vi Chapter Page Animal Welfare or Well-being .......................................................... 50 Coping: A Gateway to Well-being .................................................... 52 Assessment of Well-being ................................................................. 53 Summary ............................................................................................ 55 IV. EFFECT OF ENRICHMENT IN NORTH AMERICA ............................. 56 Chapter Rationale ............................................................................... 56 Enrichment Defined ........................................................................... 56 Environmental and Behavioral Enrichment Defined ......................... 56 Purpose and Implementation of Enrichment ...................................... 57 Enrichment Timeline ......................................................................... 58 Approaches to Environmental Enrichment ........................................ 62 American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AZA) Addresses Enrichment Concerns ....................................................... 65 Enrichment Put into Practice ............................................................. 66 Summary ............................................................................................ 67 V. ASSESSMENT OF ANIMAL PLAY AND POTENTIAL UTILIZATION OF PLAY AS BEHAVIORAL ENRICHMENT FOR CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANTS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS) IN NORTH AMERICAN ZOOS .................................................................................... 68 Chapter Rationale ............................................................................... 68 Play Defined....................................................................................... 68 Learning: A Component of Play ........................................................ 70 Object Play ......................................................................................... 71 Locomotor Play .................................................................................. 72 Social Play ......................................................................................... 74 Cost of Play ........................................................................................ 75 Prologue to Research Inquiry ............................................................. 76 VI. METHODS ................................................................................................. 78 Chapter Rationale ............................................................................... 78 Study Subject, Asian Elephant, (Elephas maximus) .......................... 78 Animal Housing ................................................................................. 79 Diet ..................................................................................................... 79 Behavioral Data ................................................................................. 79 Description of Enrichment Items ....................................................... 80 Blood Collection ................................................................................ 81 Statistical Analysis ............................................................................. 81 Calculations........................................................................................ 82 vii Chapter Page Description of Elephants and Play Groups ........................................ 83 Summary ............................................................................................ 85 VII. RESULTS ................................................................................................... 86 Chapter Rationale ............................................................................... 86 Age ..................................................................................................... 86 Vocalizations.....................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Open Thesis Final V2.Pdf
    The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School Department of the Geosciences TAXONOMIC AND ECOLOGIC IMPLICATIONS OF MAMMOTH MOLAR MORPHOLOGY AS MEASURED VIA COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY A Thesis in Geosciences by Gregory J Smith 2015 Gregory J Smith Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science August 2015 ii The thesis of Gregory J Smith was reviewed and approved* by the following: Russell W. Graham EMS Museum Director and Professor of the Geosciences Thesis Advisor Mark Patzkowsky Professor of the Geosciences Eric Post Director of the Polar Center and Professor of Biology Timothy Ryan Associate Professor of Anthropology and Information Sciences and Technology Michael Arthur Professor of the Geosciences Interim Associate Head for Graduate Programs and Research *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School iii ABSTRACT Two Late Pleistocene species of Mammuthus, M. columbi and M. primigenius, prove difficult to identify on the basis of their third molar (M3) morphology alone due to the effects of dental wear. A newly-erupted, relatively unworn M3 exhibits drastically different characters than that tooth would after a lifetime of wear. On a highly-worn molar, the lophs that comprise the occlusal surface are more broadly spaced and the enamel ridges thicken in comparison to these respective characters on an unworn molar. Since Mammuthus taxonomy depends on the lamellar frequency (# of lophs/decimeter of occlusal surface) and enamel thickness of the third molar, given the effects of wear it becomes apparent that these taxonomic characters are variable throughout the tooth’s life. Therefore, employing static taxonomic identifications that are based on dynamic attributes is a fundamentally flawed practice.
    [Show full text]
  • Intact Carcasses As Enrichment for Large Felids: Effects on On- and Off-Exhibit Behaviors
    Zoo Biology 21:37–47 (2002) Intact Carcasses as Enrichment for Large Felids: Effects on On- and Off-Exhibit Behaviors M. Elsbeth McPhee* School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan Reducing stereotypic behaviors in captive animals is a goal for zoological insti- tutions worldwide, and environmental enrichment is one tool commonly used to meet that end. Behavioral needs associated with feeding, however, are often ne- glected in large carnivores. To address these needs, I tested the effects of calf carcasses as enrichment for large felids. Over 14 weeks, I provided nine animals with up to seven intact carcasses. The cats were housed at Toledo Zoo, Potawatomi Zoo, and Binder Park Zoo. Animals were observed off and on exhibit for changes in feeding, natural, stereotypic, active, and inactive behaviors. I compared treat- ment behaviors with behaviors observed during a baseline period in which the animals were fed traditional processed diets. For these nine cats, carcass provi- sion decreased off-exhibit stereotypic behaviors but had little impact on on-ex- hibit behaviors. Zoo Biol 21:37–47, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Key words: feeding behavior; stereotypic behavior; carnivores INTRODUCTION Over evolutionary time, the behaviors of wild animals have taken shape in response to spatial and temporal variability and the selective pressures associated with that variability. Captivity can adversely affect animal behavior due to different selective pressures and a lack of environmental stochasticity [Hediger, 1964; Price, 1984; Tudge, 1992; Carlstead, 1996; Seidensticker and Forthman, 1998]. In a cap- tive environment, an animal may not have the motivation, opportunity, or need to display the range of behaviors necessary to succeed in its natural habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • Elephant Ivory, Zoos, and Extinction in the Age of Imperialism
    East and West This enduring fascination with elephants turned their bodies into colonial trophies, dead or alive. While captive elephants were the hallmarks of European zoological collections, ivory RESEARCH TOPICS became a luxurious commodity and an expression of wealth. At the turn of the twentieth century, patterns of ivory consumption were closely connected to the growing middle-class in Europe and the United States. As a status symbol ivory signaled elevation in social rank, N°63 especially for those whose belonging to European culture or even whiteness was in doubt. Thus, recording consumer desire for ivory in Eastern Europe, a region that, on the one hand, largely “missed out” on securing its own African or Asian colonies, but one that nevertheless nurtured colonial longings, reveals close links between social constructions of race, colonial commerce, and animal bodies. For the re- gion caught between the constructions of “progressive Elephant Ivory, Zoos, and West” and “backwards East,” the elephant body served as a material link between the mystical Orient and the Extinction in the Age of colonial Empire, and helped to measure the differenc- es of savagery and civilization. Imperialism (1870s–1940s) 04 A pair of porcelain perfume bottles placed As part of Department III’s research theme “The Body by Marianna Szczygielska on an ivory stand. First half of the 19th century. of Animals,” this project offers a unique insight into JULY 2019 Source: RDW MIC, Virtual Małopolska project. a physical presence of colonial imperialism in an area without overseas colonies. Tracing elephant lives, deaths, and afterlives, all entwined with stories of their keepers, trainers and veterinarians, uncovers a variety of scientific practices and technologies behind the exotic animal trade.
    [Show full text]
  • Community Involvement in Behavioral Enrichment at the Phoenix Zoo
    Community involvement in behavioral enrichment at the Phoenix Zoo. Hilda Tresz Behavioral Management Coordinator Phoenix Zoo In 2003, the Phoenix Zoo developed its proactive, structured, and documented Behavioral Management Protocol. The comprehensive management protocol outlines the philosophy and standards for a general behavioral enrichment protocol for all species, and a specific primate behavioral enrichment program. The primate enrichment protocol presents captive husbandry guidelines for the care and psychological well-being of nonhuman primate species at the Phoenix Zoo. These guidelines have been developed in accordance with the USDA animal Welfare Act (Environmental Enrichment for Nonhuman Primates Resource Guide January 1992-February 1999; Final Report on Environmental Enhancement to Promote the Psychological Well-being of Nonhuman Primates July 15, 1999 and the AZA Zoo Standards for the Housing of Nonhuman Primates (unpublished report). The Management of the Phoenix Zoo maximally promotes behavioral enrichment by providing a successful, goal-oriented, self-sustained program that integrates into the daily management of the animals. This is accomplished by: • Supplying staff with the information and materials to help with their work (Behavioral Management Coordinator; Training and Enrichment Resource Office). • Finding adequate incentives to motivate staff: fully incorporating behavioral enrichment into the keeper’s job description. Participation in the enrichment plan is closely related to one’s personal evaluation. • Individual involvement in the behavioral enrichment program that expands the diversity of responsibilities provides more daily stimulation and therefore, creates more opportunity for professional growth. This in turn allows staff to feel as though they are contributing more to the overall goal or mission of the Phoenix Zoo.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of Human-Elephant FINAL Reduced 01.Cdr
    Prithiviraj Fernando, M. Ananda Kumar, A. Christy Williams, Eric Wikramanayake, Tariq Aziz, Sameer M. Singh WORLD BANK-WWF ALLIANCE FOR FOREST CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABLE USE Review of Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation Measures Practiced in South Asia (AREAS Technical Support Document Submitted to World Bank) Prithiviraj Fernando, M. Ananda Kumar, A. Christy Williams, Eric Wikramanayake, Tariq Aziz, Sameer M. Singh Published in 2008 by WWF - World Wide Fund for Nature. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must mention the title and credit the above mentioned publisher as the copyright owner. © text and graphics: 2008 WWF. All rights reserved. Photographs by authors as credited. CONTENTS Preamble 1-2 LIST OF TECHNIQUES Problem Animal Removal 28-33 Traditional Crop Protection 3-7 Capture and domestication Capture and semi-wild management Crop guarding Elimination Noise and Throwing Things Fire Compensation & Insurance 34-35 Supplements to traditional crop protection Land-Use Planning 36-38 Alarms Providing benefits from conservation to Repellants Local communities Organized Crop Protection 8-11 Recommendations 39 Guard teams, 40-43 Vehicle patrols, References Cited Koonkies Literature Cited 44-45 Elephant Barriers 12-18 Physical FORMAT FOR Wire fences EACH TECHNIQUE Log and stone fences Technique Ditches Applicable scale Biological fences Objective Psychological Description of technique Electric fences Positive effects Cleared boundaries and simple demarcation of fields People Elephants Buffer Crops & Unpalatable Crops 19-20 Negative effects People Supplementary Feeding 21-22 Elephants Translocation 23-27 Future needs Chemical immobilization and transport In-country applications Elephant drives Sri Lanka PREAMBLE ew wild species evoke as much attention and varied emotions from humans as elephants.
    [Show full text]
  • Public Perceptions of Behavioral Enrichment: Assumptions Gone Awry
    Zoo Biology 17:525–534 (1998) Public Perceptions of Behavioral Enrichment: Assumptions Gone Awry M.E. McPhee,1* J.S. Foster,2 M. Sevenich,3 and C.D. Saunders4 1University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 2Seneca Zoo Society, Rochester, New York 3Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 4Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, Illinois More and more, zoos are integrating behavioral enrichment programs into their management routines. Given the newness of such programs on an official level, however, there are an increasing number of enrichment decisions based on as- sumption. Enrichment is typically not provided on exhibit, especially for exhib- its considered to be more naturalistic, because it is assumed to affect visitors’ experience negatively. To test that assumption, visitors were interviewed in front of four exhibits—an outdoor barren grotto, an outdoor vegetated grotto, an in- door immersion exhibit, and an outdoor traditional cage—each with either natu- ral, nonnatural or no enrichment objects present. Specifically, we wanted to know whether 1) the exhibit’s perceived educational message, 2) the animal’s per- ceived “happiness,” and 3) the visitor perceptions of enrichment, the naturalism of animal’s behavior, and zoo animal well-being changed as a function of object type. Overall, the type of enrichment object had little impact on visi- tor perceptions. In the outdoor barren grotto, only visitor perceptions of ex- hibit naturalism were affected by object type. In the outdoor vegetated grotto, object type influenced visitors perceptions of enrichment and exhibit natu- ralism. For the indoor immersion exhibit, general perceptions of enrichment and the perceived naturalism of the animal’s behavior were affected.
    [Show full text]
  • Social Significance of Trunk Use in Captive Asian Elephants
    Ethology Ecology & Evolution ISSN: 0394-9370 (Print) 1828-7131 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/teee20 Social significance of trunk use in captive Asian elephants Saki Yasui & Gen’ichi Idani To cite this article: Saki Yasui & Gen’ichi Idani (2016): Social significance of trunk use in captive Asian elephants, Ethology Ecology & Evolution, DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2016.1179684 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03949370.2016.1179684 View supplementary material Published online: 23 May 2016. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 28 View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=teee20 Download by: [Kyoto University] Date: 10 June 2016, At: 01:49 Ethology Ecology & Evolution, 2016 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03949370.2016.1179684 Social significance of trunk use in captive Asian elephants 1,* 2 SAKI YASUI and GEN’ICHI IDANI 1Kyoto City Zoo, Okazaki Koen, Okazaki Houshojicho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto 606- 8333, Japan 2Wildlife Research Centre, Kyoto University, 2-24 Tanaka-Sekiden-cho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto 606-8203, Japan Received 20 January 2016, accepted 3 April 2016 Tactile behaviour plays an important role in maintaining social relationships in several mammalian species. Touching with the tip of the trunk is a common social behaviour among Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). This is considered an affiliative behaviour; however, few studies have investigated it in detail. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether this is an affiliative behaviour and whether it has other functions. We directly observed a group of captive female Asian elephants in Thailand.
    [Show full text]
  • Elephant Notes and News H
    Elephant Volume 2 | Issue 3 Article 11 12-20-1987 Elephant Notes and News H. P. Davis J. Shoshani S. L. Shoshani Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/elephant Recommended Citation Davis, H. P., Shoshani, J., & Shoshani, S. L. (1987). Elephant Notes and News. Elephant, 2(3), 76-99. Doi: 10.22237/elephant/ 1521732119 This Elephant Notes and News is brought to you for free and open access by the Open Access Journals at DigitalCommons@WayneState. It has been accepted for inclusion in Elephant by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@WayneState. 76 ELEPHANT Vol. 2, No. 3 ELEPHANT NOTES AND NEWS compiled by H. P. Davis, J. Shoshani, and S. L. Shoshani Contents: "ELEPHANT", the official title Elephant review Membership list, dues, and cards Elephantophilist Correspondence with children Poisonous potato skins The Asian Elephant SSP of the AAZPA "Elephant" superstitions Ban-the-ivory campaign V Ivory from Ebla Archaeological Site The African Ele-Fund "Elmer" and "Shelton" Mount Elgon elephants Elephant potpourri Swissair Gazette A request for information SPECIES and REF Elephant Room at the AMNH Conservation endeavors Mellet's tissue salvage Symposium on Proboscidea Redmond's tour Eighth Annual Elephant Workshop EIG at ASM Elephant population surveys Obituaries Elephant talk Missing members Milk formula for baby elephants ERRATA Zoo review "ELEPHANT", the official title of our publication The article on Ahmed the elephant (by J. Shoshani, J. Hillman, and J. Walcek) in this issue, discusses in brief the sequence of events leading to the choice and the reason we chose the title "ELEPHANT" as the official name for the publication of the Elephant Interest Group.
    [Show full text]
  • The International Elephant Foundation Strategy In
    INTERNATIONAL ELEPHANT FOUNDATION STRATEGY IN SUPPORT OF ASIAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION The International Elephant Foundation Strategy in Support of Asian Elephant Conservation is the result of the International Elephant Foundation (IEF) facilitated workshop of technical representatives from U.S. Asian elephant facilities with expertise conserving Asian elephants in human care, and other U.S. representatives with expertise and experience conserving Asian elephants in range countries. The goal of this Action Plan is to enhance and conserve Asian elephant populations in the wild. Mission Statement The International Elephant Foundation Strategy in Support of Asian Elephant Conservation provides a more coordinated Asian elephant conservation strategy for U.S. Asian elephant facilities focusing on the expertise and experience of the U.S. elephant management community. Vision Statement This strategy identifies and describes those specific components of in situ Asian elephant conservation where there is a direct link to ex situ Asian elephant expertise, and identifies suggested management actions. With a priority focused list of actions, the U.S. elephant management community can maximize limited resources, encourage coordination and collaboration, and further encourage increased participation resulting in a more coordinated approach to maximize conservation activities. 1. Background Asian elephants were historically found from West Asia along the Iranian coast into the Indian subcontinent, and eastward into Southeast Asia and parts of China. Formerly ranging over three and a half million square miles, the Asian elephant is now extinct in West Asia, Java, and most of China, and survives in isolated populations scattered across remaining grassland and tropical forest habitats in thirteen Asian countries. Less than 30% of the entire extant range is within protected areas, and many protected areas afford little protection for elephants or their habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • Concepts in the Care and Welfare of Captive Elephants J
    REVIEW: ELEPHANTS CONCEPTS IN CARE AND WELFARE IN CAPTIVITY 63 Int. Zoo Yb. (2006) 40: 63–79 © The Zoological Society of London Concepts in the care and welfare of captive elephants J. VEASEY Woburn Safari Park, Woburn, Bedfordshire MK17 9QN, United Kingdom E-mail: [email protected] Zoos are duty bound to maintain a high standard of challenges facing zoos both from an welfare for all animals for which they are respons- ible. For elephants, this represents a greater chal- animal husbandry and a public perception lenge than for many other species; their sheer size, perspective. This document is not sophisticated social life, high level of intelligence and designed to be a formula for elephant wel- large behavioural repertoire, combined with their fare in captivity because there are still too origins in tropical and subtropical climates mean that replicating the physical, social and environ- many un-answered questions, rather it is mental requirements needed for a high standard of intended as a discussion of some of the welfare in captivity is a significant challenge. This is concepts relating to captive elephant wel- compounded by the difficulties in measuring welfare generally, and specifically for animals such as ele- fare, which it is hoped, might encourage phants within zoo environments. Evidence does exist people from a variety of viewpoints to relating to the longevity, reproductive success and consider elephant welfare in a different the health status of captive elephants which suggests way. I will not go into the issue of whether that their management is not at as high a standard as it is for many other species kept in zoos, and that or not elephants should be in captivity elephant welfare is likely to be compromised as a because this would be a not inconsider- result.
    [Show full text]
  • The Release of a Captive-Raised Female African Elephant (Loxodonta Africana) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana
    Animals 2013, 3, 370-385; doi:10.3390/ani3020370 OPEN ACCESS animals ISSN 2076-2615 www.mdpi.com/journal/animals Article The Release of a Captive-Raised Female African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana Kate Evans 1,2,*, Randall J. Moore 3 and Stephen Harris 1 1 School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK; E-Mail: [email protected] 2 Elephants For Africa, P.O. Box HA148 HAK, Maun, Botswana 3 Elephant Back Safaris, Private Bag 332, Maun, Botswana; E-Mail: [email protected] * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +44-117-928-7479; Fax: +44-117-331-7985. Received: 28 March 2013; in revised form: 22 April 2013 / Accepted: 22 April 2013 / Published: 29 April 2013 Simple Summary: Managing captive elephants poses a significant challenge because of their complex social behaviour. While wild female elephants live in close-knit family groups of related individuals, captive herds often consist of unrelated animals. Some of the elephants in captive groups may be excluded by their companions and experience increased aggression, so that their welfare is compromised. There is no easy solution to this problem and novel approaches are required since slaughter of captive elephants is not publicly acceptable. We show that captive-raised female elephants can be released into the wild, survive and reproduce, and suggest that this management option should be explored further for female elephants currently held under various captive conditions. Abstract: Wild female elephants live in close-knit matrilineal groups and housing captive elephants in artificial social groupings can cause significant welfare issues for individuals not accepted by other group members.
    [Show full text]
  • {TEXTBOOK} Elephant
    ELEPHANT PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Raymond Carver | 128 pages | 05 Jul 2011 | Vintage Publishing | 9780099530350 | English | London, United Kingdom Elephant - Wikipedia The seeds are typically dispersed in large amounts over great distances. This ecological niche cannot be filled by the next largest herbivore, the tapir. At Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda, the overabundance of elephants has threatened several species of small birds that depend on woodlands. Their weight can compact the soil, which causes the rain to run off , leading to erosion. Elephants typically coexist peacefully with other herbivores, which will usually stay out of their way. Some aggressive interactions between elephants and rhinoceros have been recorded. At Aberdare National Park , Kenya, a rhino attacked an elephant calf and was killed by the other elephants in the group. This is due to lower predation pressures that would otherwise kill off many of the individuals with significant parasite loads. Female elephants spend their entire lives in tight-knit matrilineal family groups, some of which are made up of more than ten members, including three mothers and their dependent offspring, and are led by the matriarch which is often the eldest female. The social circle of the female elephant does not necessarily end with the small family unit. In the case of elephants in Amboseli National Park , Kenya, a female's life involves interaction with other families, clans, and subpopulations. Families may associate and bond with each other, forming what are known as bond groups which typically made of two family groups. During the dry season, elephant families may cluster together and form another level of social organisation known as the clan.
    [Show full text]