Elephants Elephants - Wildpro - Twycross Zoo

Firearms
When elephants are being moved, the transporter should always be
accompanied by an appropriate firearm. All appropriate authorities MUST be
informed of the movement of the firearm with the transporter when moving
elephants. It is imperative that all risks are analysed when moving elephants.
The firearm certification holder’s responsibility is to protect human life and
they should take whatever action necessary to achieve this. Only firearm
certification holders trained in the use of the weapon, including live firing
range practice and authorised in writing by the Director/CEO of the
collections responsible for the elephant, will accompany the transporter.
However it should be remembered that it may not be possible to carry a
firearm in some countries, and it may cause delays at border controls. It may
also not be possible to shoot an animal in an urban situation. Sedation of the
animals may lessen the need to carry a firearm.
Training
It is recommended that elephants be given time to acclimatise to the
transporter /container to minimise stress during transport and loading. It is
recommended that keepers try feeding elephants in the container to that end.
Trained elephants are more amenable to transporting and provision for using
handlers of those elephants throughout the transport procedure should be
considered. However even trained animals may become frightened due to
being in an enclosed space with strange noises. In situations where it is not
be possible to acclimatise the animals prior to transportation, for example if
the transporter has to come from a distance away from the collection, sedation
is recommended. Respective elephant staff should work with elephants to be
moved in both collections, i.e. it is important that staff work with animals in
both the donating and receiving collections.
3.15 Medical Management 1
Much of this section assumes the management of a trained elephant in free
contact which, in most cases, makes veterinary intervention easier to manage.
If the animals are managed in another way then the use of a ERD, or in some
cases, anaesthesia, would be required.
3.15.1 General Considerations
Administration of Medicines
The administration of medicines to elephants can be challenging. Elephants
have a keen sense of taste and can detect drugs hidden in food items very
readily. Strongly flavoured items such as chocolate, molasses, fruits, fruit
juices etc., can be used as carriers, but individual animals will display
characteristic likes and dislikes. Specifically flavoured drugs can also be used
although these tend to be expensive.
Intramuscular injections are usually made into the triceps muscle mass, as the
skin is relatively thin at this site. The skin is considerably thicker over the
hind limbs and hindquarters as compared to over the forelimbs and
shoulders. A minimum needle length of 4cm (1.5”) is advised and no more
1 This section has been slightly updated.
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