Improving the welfare of African elephants Loxodonta africana in zoological institutions through enclosure design and husbandry management: an example from Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park
Abstract
Satisfying the physical and psychological needs of animals in zoological institutions can be a difficult task. In particular, maintaining high welfare standards for elephants poses a significant challenge because of their size, intelligence and complex social dynamic. In 2012, in order to address properly the needs of the female African elephants Loxodonta africana at Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, UK, a new indoor enclosure was constructed and substantial improvements were made to the outdoor habitat. The husbandry regime was also improved to encourage a greater amount of movement and more foraging, and provide additional decision‐making opportunities for the elephants. Various physical and behavioural improvements were observed after the elephants moved into the new indoor facility. Most notably, there was a significant decrease in the amount of stereotypic behaviours displayed by the dominant individual and an improvement in the condition of the feet of both elephants. The renovations at Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park demonstrate how correct enclosure design, combined with a well‐managed husbandry regime, can prove to be beneficial and enriching to the lives of elephants.
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Elephants in zoos typically are confined to one or more outdoor yards, smaller holding areas, and/or a barn with individual and/or group stalls.
“Elephants in zoos typically are confined to one or more outdoor yards, smaller holding areas, and/or a barn with individual and/or group stalls (Lucas & Stanyon, 2017).”
From Continuing challenges of elephant captivity: the captive environment, health issues, and welfare implications (2024) · cites this paper as Lucas & Stanyon, 2017
In captivity, sensory experiences are largely predicted by the temporal and spatial features of enclosures, which are relatively limited and unchanging, and the enrichment provided within these limited spaces.
“In captivity, sensory experiences are largely predicted by the temporal and spatial features of their enclosures, which are relatively limited and unchanging, and the enrichment provided within these limited spaces (Lucas & Stanyon, 2017).”
From Continuing challenges of elephant captivity: the captive environment, health issues, and welfare implications (2024) · cites this paper as Lucas & Stanyon, 2017
Current evidence suggests that, although zoos can renovate existing enclosures with some physical and behavioral benefit, they generally cannot provide a sufficient facsimile of a free-ranging life to allow captive elephants to thrive.
“Current evidence suggests that, although zoos can renovate existing enclosures with some physical and behavioral benefit (Lucas & Stanyon, 2017), they generally cannot provide a sufficient facsimile of a free-ranging life to allow captive elephants to thrive”
From Continuing challenges of elephant captivity: the captive environment, health issues, and welfare implications (2024) · cites this paper as Lucas & Stanyon, 2017
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Facilitating the social behaviour of bull elephants in zoos
Hartley, M., Wood, A., & Yon, L. (2019) · International Zoo Yearbook · doi:10.1111/izy.12245 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Schmidt, H., & Kappelhof, J. (2019) · International Zoo Yearbook · doi:10.1111/izy.12233 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Doyle, C., Rally, H., O’Brien, L., Tennison, M., Marino, L., & Jacobs, B. (2024) · PeerJ · doi:10.7717/peerj.18161 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
- Authors
- Lucas, C., & Stanyon, B.
- Affiliations
- Former Team Leader (2009–2016) Department of Large Mammals Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park Blair Drummond FK9 4UR United Kingdom
- Corresponding author
- Stanyon, B.
- Venue
- International Zoo Yearbook
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2016-10-24
- Volume
- 51
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 248-257
- ISSN
- 0074-9664 (ISSN-L)
- 1748-1090
- OpenAlex
- W2532440354
- Cited by
- 6
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2024: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3
- FWCI
- 1.54
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Zoo Yearbook (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Keywords
- Loxodonta africana, animal welfare, enclosure design, husbandry management, stereotypy, enrichment, foraging, foot conditions, captive elephants
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