<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Providing good animal welfare standards is very important for wild animals in captivity, especially in zoos. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a welfare assessment of elephants in the Skopje Zoo using species-specific protocols. Two specific protocols were used for the welfare assessment and were combined for a more unified approach. These protocols focused on the assessment of the elephant’s day-time behaviour, including Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA), as well as the following sections: nutrition, physical health, environment, behaviour and management. Data was collected from the Asian and African elephants that were housed together, in the Skopje Zoo. Both species were observed for three consecutive days, during which time QBA was performed and they were observed on their daytime behaviour. Feeding (42% African, 34% Asian elephant) and anticipatory (35% African, 22% Asian elephant) behaviour were predominantly observed daytime behaviours of both elephants, as well as stereotypic behaviour (30%) of the Asian elephant. Concerning the QBA, ‘uncomfortable’ (296 Asian, 234 African elephants) and ‘relaxed’ (271 Asian, 280 African elephants) were the most dominant descriptors for both elephants. The collected data indicated that the elephants were in good physical health. Regular feeding enrichment, as well as environmental enrichment was recommended. There is room for improvement concerning the management practices of the elephants.</p>
</abstract>

Providing good animal welfare standards is very important for wild animals in captivity, especially in zoos. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a welfare assessment of elephants in the Skopje Zoo using species-specific protocols. Two specific protocols were used for the welfare assessment and were combined for a more unified approach. These protocols focused on the assessment of the elephant’s day-time behaviour, including Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA), as well as the following sections: nutrition, physical health, environment, behaviour and management. Data was collected from the Asian and African elephants that were housed together, in the Skopje Zoo. Both species were observed for three consecutive days, during which time QBA was performed and they were observed on their daytime behaviour. Feeding (42% African, 34% Asian elephant) and anticipatory (35% African, 22% Asian elephant) behaviour were predominantly observed daytime behaviours of both elephants, as well as stereotypic behaviour (30%) of the Asian elephant. Concerning the QBA, ‘uncomfortable’ (296 Asian, 234 African elephants) and ‘relaxed’ (271 Asian, 280 African elephants) were the most dominant descriptors for both elephants. The collected data indicated that the elephants were in good physical health. Regular feeding enrichment, as well as environmental enrichment was recommended. There is room for improvement concerning the management practices of the elephants.

Using Species-Specific Protocols for the Welfare Assessment of Elephants in the Skopje Zoo

Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje

Macedonian Veterinary Review

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Providing good animal welfare standards is very important for wild animals in captivity, especially in zoos. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform a...

Using Species-Specific Protocols for the Welfare Assessment of Elephants in the Skopje Zoo

Published Online: Nov 23, 2022

Page range: 201 - 208

Received: Feb 04, 2022

Accepted: Apr 06, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2022-0019

Keywords
animal welfare, behaviour observation techniques, zoo animals, elephants

© 2022 Ena Dobrikj et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Using Species-Specific Protocols for the Welfare Assessment of Elephants in the Skopje Zoo

Published Online: Nov 23, 2022

Page range: 201 - 208

Received: Feb 04, 2022

Accepted: Apr 06, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2022-0019

Keywordsanimal welfare, behaviour observation techniques, zoo animals, elephants

© 2022 Ena Dobrikj et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
animal welfare, behaviour observation techniques, zoo animals, elephants