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Elephant Management in North American Zoos: Environmental Enrichment, Feeding, Exercise, and Training

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Listed:
  • Brian J Greco
  • Cheryl L Meehan
  • Lance J Miller
  • David J Shepherdson
  • Kari A Morfeld
  • Jeff Andrews
  • Anne M Baker
  • Kathy Carlstead
  • Joy A Mench

Abstract

The management of African (Loxodonta africana) and Asian (Elephas maximus) elephants in zoos involves a range of practices including feeding, exercise, training, and environmental enrichment. These practices are necessary to meet the elephants’ nutritional, healthcare, and husbandry needs. However, these practices are not standardized, resulting in likely variation among zoos as well as differences in the way they are applied to individual elephants within a zoo. To characterize elephant management in North America, we collected survey data from zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, developed 26 variables, generated population level descriptive statistics, and analyzed them to identify differences attributable to sex and species. Sixty-seven zoos submitted surveys describing the management of 224 elephants and the training experiences of 227 elephants. Asian elephants spent more time managed (defined as interacting directly with staff) than Africans (mean time managed: Asians = 56.9%; Africans = 48.6%; p

Suggested Citation

  • Brian J Greco & Cheryl L Meehan & Lance J Miller & David J Shepherdson & Kari A Morfeld & Jeff Andrews & Anne M Baker & Kathy Carlstead & Joy A Mench, 2016. "Elephant Management in North American Zoos: Environmental Enrichment, Feeding, Exercise, and Training," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(7), pages 1-26, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0152490
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152490
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