Elephants Elephants - Wildpro - Twycross Zoo

protected contact until a full review of the situation surrounding the attack
has been carried out. After this review, if the decision is to put the cow back
to a free contact situation this MUST be fully justified in combination with
renewed risk assessments.
The benefits of keeping cows in an integrated way are described below:
Animal Welfare. The nature of the bonds demonstrated between females
within a group suggest that there are significant evolutionary and emotional
benefits to the animals in developing and maintaining these relationships and
that separation will inevitably be stressful. Moreover, social interactions are
likely to be the most sustainable form of environmental enrichment for captive
elephants.
Learning. Family groups are vital for the appropriate socialisation of young
elephants of both sexes. The degree to which animals learn from the
matriarch cannot be overstated. Many problems found in captive elephants
relating to reproduction and aggression both to other elephants and keepers,
are likely to be the result of poor social development. An example is the
learning of relative strengths of individuals of differing sizes through play,
which allows individuals to more effectively assess and subsequently
moderate interactions.
Decreased social tension. An increased level of relatedness is likely to be
highly significant in promoting harmony and co-operation within a group.
Increased reproductive potential. It has been shown that there will be an
increased success rate in calving if cows are given the opportunity to witness
births in a captive environment.
Increased education potential. The benefits of seeing family units with
elephants of all ages, in comparison to single individuals cannot be overstated.
It is therefore recommended that, in zoos that are successfully breeding
elephants, the herd is allowed to grow to a point where it is necessary to
reduce its size only because of the physical limitations of the zoo or because
the herd has reached a social ‘critical mass’. Such an upper limit will depend
on the nature of the individuals within the group, however a number of five to
ten animals is realistic. If a reduction in herd size does become necessary then
compatible female pairs (or preferably trios or more) should be moved
together to other facilities in accordance with EEP recommendation.
BULLS
Due to their comparatively unsociable nature bulls pose a particular problem
to zoos. The problem is likely to continue, as even if artificial insemination
(A.I.) were to be practised more widely, sperm donors would still be needed
and more importantly, bull calves still produced. The EEP recommendations
(Section 3.6) MUST be adhered to.
In the wild, bull elephants leave the matriarchal herd during adolescence.
Although separation is gradual, female intolerance eventually drives the
young male away. In captivity, bulls should be removed from the herd as and
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