Effects of daily management changes on behavioral patterns of a solitary female African elephant (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>) in a zoo

Koyama, Nao; Ueno, Yoshikazu; Eguchi, Yusuke; Uetake, Katsuji; Tanaka, Toshio

doi:10.1111/j.1740-0929.2011.00992.x

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The observed elephant changed his sleeping behavior from 95% lying rest before transportation to 0% lying rest and 100% standing rest during his 10 first days at the new facility (Laws et al, 2007). A decrease in lying rest was also observed in a female African elephant after losing her conspecific (Koyama, Ueno, Eguchi, Uetake, & Tanaka, 2012).…”

Section: Observations On Correlation Between Lying and Standing Resmentioning

confidence: 75%

When elephants fall asleep: A literature review on elephant rest with case studies on elephant falling bouts, and practical solutions for zoo elephants

et al. 2018

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Little attention has been paid to the resting and sleeping behavior of zoo elephants so far. An important concern is when elephants avoid lying down, due to degenerative joint and foot disease, social structure, or stressful environmental changes. Inability or unwillingness to lie down for resting is an important welfare issue, as it may impair sleep. We emphasize the importance of satisfying rest in elephants by reviewing the literature on resting behavior in elephants (Loxodonta africana and Elephas maximus) as well as the documentation of four cases from European zoos and our own direct observations in a zoo group of four female African elephants during 12 entire days. The common denominator in the case reports is the occurrence of a falling bout out of a standing position subsequently to a cessation of lying rest for different periods of time. Although well-known in horses as "episodic collapse" or "excessive drowsiness," this syndrome has not been described in elephants before. To enable its detection, we recommend nocturnal video monitoring for elephant-keeping institutions. The literature evaluation as well as own observational data suggest an inverse relationship between lying rest and standing rest. Preventative measures consist of enclosure modifications that facilitate lying rest (e.g., sand hills) or standing rest in a leaning position as a substitute. Anecdotal observations suggest that the provision of appropriate horizontal environmental structures may encourage safe, sleep-conducive standing rest. We provide drawings on how to install such structures. Effects of providing such structures should be evaluated in the future.

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Section: Observations On Correlation Between Lying and Standing Resmentioning

confidence: 75%

When elephants fall asleep: A literature review on elephant rest with case studies on elephant falling bouts, and practical solutions for zoo elephants

et al. 2018

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“…Peak periods of swaying accompanied movement of the animals into the barn, departure of the keepers at night, and arrival of the keepers in the morning. Koyama et al [] observed one captive African elephant displaying high frequencies of stereotypic pacing (up to 31%), potentially in response to unfamiliar conditions and unpredictable time schedules.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental conditions associated with repetitive behavior in a group of African elephants

Hasenjager

Bergl

2015

Zoo Biology

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Repetitive movement patterns are commonly observed in zoo elephants. The extent to which these behaviors constitute a welfare concern varies, as their expression ranges from stereotypies to potentially beneficial anticipatory behaviors. Nevertheless, their occurrence in zoo animals is often viewed negatively. To better identify conditions that prompt their performance, observations were conducted on six African elephants (Loxodonta africana) at the North Carolina Zoo. Individuals spent most of their time engaged in feeding, locomotion, resting, and repetitive behavior. Both generalized estimating equation and zero-inflated negative binomial models were used to identify factors associated with increased rates of repetitive behavior. Time of day in conjunction with location on- or off-exhibit best explained patterns of repetitive behavior. Repetitive behaviors occurred at a lower rate in the morning when on-exhibit, as compared to afternoons on-exhibit or at any time of day off-exhibit. Increased repetitive behavior rates observed on-exhibit in the afternoon prior to the evening transfer and feeding were possibly anticipatory responses towards those events. In contrast, consistently elevated frequencies of repetitive behavior off-exhibit at all times of day could be related to differences in exhibit complexity between off-exhibit and on-exhibit areas, as well as a lack of additional foraging opportunities. Our study contributes valuable information on captive elephant behavior and represents a good example of how behavioral research can be employed to improve management of zoo animals.

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“…Moreover, zoo animals are exposed to various stresses, and abnormal behaviors such as pacing are frequently observed (Koyama et al . ). In addition to environmental enrichment, efforts should be made to discover the feeding conditions that could suppress such abnormal behaviors in zoo animals.…”

Section: Perspectives For the Application Of Rodent Models To Animal mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…We have found that feed purity influences stress resilience in mice (Goto et al 2016a, b); therefore, we believe that rodent models provide relevant information relating to feeding management under stressful conditions. Moreover, zoo animals are exposed to various stresses, and abnormal behaviors such as pacing are frequently observed (Koyama et al 2012). In addition to environmental enrichment, efforts should be made to discover the feeding conditions that could suppress such abnormal behaviors in zoo animals.…”

Section: Application To Animal Welfarementioning

confidence: 99%

Social defeat models in animal science: What we have learned from rodent models

Toyoda

2017

Animal Science Journal

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Studies on stress and its impacts on animals are very important in many fields of science, including animal science, because various stresses influence animal production and animal welfare. In particular, the social stresses within animal groups have profound impact on animals, with the potential to induce abnormal behaviors and health problems. In humans, social stress induces several health problems, including psychiatric disorders. In animal stress models, social defeat models are well characterized and used in various research fields, particularly in studies concerning mental disorders. Recently, we have focused on behavior, nutrition and metabolism in rodent models of social defeat to elucidate how social stresses affect animals. In this review, recent significant progress in studies related to animal social defeat models are described. In the field of animal science, these stress models may contribute to advances in the development of functional foods and in the management of animal welfare.

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Effects of daily management changes on behavioral patterns of a solitary female African elephant (Loxodonta africana) in a zoo

Cited by 17 publications

References 25 publications

When elephants fall asleep: A literature review on elephant rest with case studies on elephant falling bouts, and practical solutions for zoo elephants

When elephants fall asleep: A literature review on elephant rest with case studies on elephant falling bouts, and practical solutions for zoo elephants

Environmental conditions associated with repetitive behavior in a group of African elephants

Social defeat models in animal science: What we have learned from rodent models

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