Longitudinal Improvements in Zoo-Housed Elephant Welfare: A Case Study at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
Over the last two decades, criticisms were raised regarding the welfare experienced by elephants in European and North American zoos. Concerns regarding the welfare of zoo-housed elephants in the UK and Europe were consolidated in the publication of several key reports, and media interest peaked. Th...
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doaj-cd11d88b5d384ebebae1dfa0b4e48a182020-11-25T03:09:27ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152020-11-01102029202910.3390/ani10112029Longitudinal Improvements in Zoo-Housed Elephant Welfare: A Case Study at ZSL Whipsnade ZooKatherine Finch0Fiona Sach1Malcolm Fitzpatrick2Nic Masters3Lewis J. Rowden4Zoological Society of London, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, UKZoological Society of London, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, UKZoological Society of London, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, UKZoological Society of London, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, UKZoological Society of London, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, UKOver the last two decades, criticisms were raised regarding the welfare experienced by elephants in European and North American zoos. Concerns regarding the welfare of zoo-housed elephants in the UK and Europe were consolidated in the publication of several key reports, and media interest peaked. Throughout this study we aim to outline the behavioural measures of welfare observed in the current group of Asian elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>) at Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Whipsnade Zoo, using key welfare indicators for this species and comparing them to previous published work. Following the instigation of a species-specific research programme, empirical behavioural data were available to quantify any developments in care and welfare. The collection of behavioural information revealed that individuals in our study group engage in low levels of stereotypic behaviour, have formed and maintain strong associations with one another and display a high proportion of engagement in lying rest. We outline that by applying simple, low-cost methods of behavioural data collection and analysis, it is possible to collect evidence that allows us to evaluate individual level welfare. This facilitates the adoption of an evidence-based approach to zoo management as well as demonstrating compliance with updated legislation for this species.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/11/2029animal welfareAsian elephant<i>Elephas maximus</i>SSSMZPbehavioursocial |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Katherine Finch Fiona Sach Malcolm Fitzpatrick Nic Masters Lewis J. Rowden |
spellingShingle |
Katherine Finch Fiona Sach Malcolm Fitzpatrick Nic Masters Lewis J. Rowden Longitudinal Improvements in Zoo-Housed Elephant Welfare: A Case Study at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Animals animal welfare Asian elephant <i>Elephas maximus</i> SSSMZP behaviour social |
author_facet |
Katherine Finch Fiona Sach Malcolm Fitzpatrick Nic Masters Lewis J. Rowden |
author_sort |
Katherine Finch |
title |
Longitudinal Improvements in Zoo-Housed Elephant Welfare: A Case Study at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo |
title_short |
Longitudinal Improvements in Zoo-Housed Elephant Welfare: A Case Study at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo |
title_full |
Longitudinal Improvements in Zoo-Housed Elephant Welfare: A Case Study at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo |
title_fullStr |
Longitudinal Improvements in Zoo-Housed Elephant Welfare: A Case Study at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo |
title_full_unstemmed |
Longitudinal Improvements in Zoo-Housed Elephant Welfare: A Case Study at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo |
title_sort |
longitudinal improvements in zoo-housed elephant welfare: a case study at zsl whipsnade zoo |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Animals |
issn |
2076-2615 |
publishDate |
2020-11-01 |
description |
Over the last two decades, criticisms were raised regarding the welfare experienced by elephants in European and North American zoos. Concerns regarding the welfare of zoo-housed elephants in the UK and Europe were consolidated in the publication of several key reports, and media interest peaked. Throughout this study we aim to outline the behavioural measures of welfare observed in the current group of Asian elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>) at Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Whipsnade Zoo, using key welfare indicators for this species and comparing them to previous published work. Following the instigation of a species-specific research programme, empirical behavioural data were available to quantify any developments in care and welfare. The collection of behavioural information revealed that individuals in our study group engage in low levels of stereotypic behaviour, have formed and maintain strong associations with one another and display a high proportion of engagement in lying rest. We outline that by applying simple, low-cost methods of behavioural data collection and analysis, it is possible to collect evidence that allows us to evaluate individual level welfare. This facilitates the adoption of an evidence-based approach to zoo management as well as demonstrating compliance with updated legislation for this species. |
topic |
animal welfare Asian elephant <i>Elephas maximus</i> SSSMZP behaviour social |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/11/2029 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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