We have taken part in the elaboration of an international study for the welfare of elephants, where we are going to analysed the diet of the four female’s Asian elephant, the body morphology of each specimen and the evolution of their weight in recent years.
The scientific study aims to establish a control pattern to measure the body condition of the pachyderms, both Asian and African species, so that in the zoological parks the health status of each individual can be evaluated and, therefore, track the degree of well-being of each animal and both species globally.
The analysis has been done by Christain Schiffmann from the University of Zurich and supported by the European Programme of Endangered Species (EEP) of the Asian elephant that directs the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums). Other parks in Germany or Sri Lanka have collaborated in the preparation of the report.
In the selected sample, 192 African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and 326 Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) that live in European zoos have been evaluated. The history of each elephant, the composition of their diet and the reproductive status have been others details analysed. As part of the study, several surveys have been made to veterinarians, responsible of the conservation and care of these animals.
The team of veterinarians and carers of Terra Natura Benidorm looks after the welfare of the Asian elephants that live in the zoo through hygienic-sanitary assistance, the elaboration of diets according to each season, the study of their behaviour, the implementation of strategies of environmental enrichment and the design of facilities that have the appropriate welfare conditions.