Elephants Elephants - Wildpro - Twycross Zoo

Pre-shipment Screening
Prior to transferring elephants between collections, the following procedures
should be undertaken:
• Animal details & medical history supplied to the recipient before
transport of animal
• Physical examination by an experienced veterinarian.
• Body weight measurement.
• Haematology and serum biochemistry profiles.
• Serum banking.
• Determination of plasma vitamin E level.
• Faecal parasite and bacteria screen.
• TB culture from trunk washings.
• Ensure vaccination status is current.
• Other tests as required/appropriate (e.g. serum tests for brucellosis,
leptospirosis, equine infectious anaemia, mycoplasma etc.).
Quarantine
A minimum period of thirty days quarantine away from other elephants is
recommended for new arrivals into a collection. This may be easier to advise
than implement, but there is no reason to abandon good principles of animal
management simply because of practical difficulties. During the quarantine
period various medical checks can be carried out if they have not already been
conducted prior to transfer:
• Body weight measurement
• Determination of plasma vitamin E level.
• Faecal parasite and bacteria screen (This should be repeated even if
conducted before transfer).
• Haematology and serum biochemistry profiles.
• Physical examination by an experienced veterinarian.
• Serum banking.
• TB culture from trunk washings.
• Vaccination status – ensure current and appropriate for local
conditions.
Signs of Ill Health
General indications of ill health in elephants include the following:
• Generally less alert.
• Reduced movements of trunk, ears, tail, legs etc.
• Localised lameness.
• Altered water intake and urinary output (trunk tip should be moist if
water intake is adequate).
• Reduced food intake and alteration in faecal quantity & quality
(including diarrhoea & constipation).
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