An investigation into resting behavior in Asian elephants in UK zoos

Abstract

Maintaining adequate welfare in captive elephants is challenging. Few studies have investigated overnight rest behavior in zoo elephants, yet time spent resting has been identified as a welfare indicator in some species. We investigated resting behavior in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in UK zoos, with the aim of identifying patterns or preferences in lying rest. Details of standing (SR) and lying (LR) rest behavior were identified by observing video footage of inside enclosures collected for 14 elephants (2 male, 12 female) housed at three UK zoos (Zoo A: 18 nights; Zoo B: 27 nights; Zoo C: 46 nights) from 16:00 to 08:30 (approximately). Elephants engaged in a mean of 58-337 min rest per night. Time of night affected mean duration of LR bouts (P < 0.001); longest bouts were observed between 22:01 and 06:00. Elephants showed a substrate preference when lying to rest; LR was not observed on concrete or tiled flooring. Where sand was available (to 11/14 elephants), all elephants engaged in LR on sand flooring. Only two elephants engaged in LR on rubber flooring (available to 7/14 elephants). Mean duration of rest bouts was greater when a conspecific was within two body lengths than when conspecifics were not (P < 0.01). Our study indicated that elephants show substrate preferences when choosing an area for rest and engage in more rest when conspecifics are in close proximity. The results of this study could be used as a basis for future studies investigating the link between rest and welfare in captive elephants.

Nocturnal behavior of orphaned Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) calves in Sri Lanka

“…However, the exact link between stereotypic behavior and welfare is still uncertain (Mason & Latham, ; Veasey, ), and additional measures of stress and welfare such as other behavioral indicators, health assessments, and fecal cortisol metabolite measures (Foley, Papageorge, & Wasser, ; Harris et al, ) are also important. Indeed, one recent study suggested even rest behavior itself may be used as a welfare indicator (Williams et al, ); therefore, no definitive conclusions will be drawn here.…”

“…One recent study found that captive Asian elephants lay down for just over 3 hr per day (Holdgate et al, 2016), slightly more than African elephants. Sleep patterns also vary considerably between captive populations (Williams, Bremner-Harrison, Harvey, Evison, & Yon, 2015). Management differences also affect behavior; one study found that a calf spent more time lying down at night when kept inside compared to outside (Posta et al, 2013).…”

When elephants fall asleep: A literature review on elephant rest with case studies on elephant falling bouts, and practical solutions for zoo elephants

“…also Table 3). Literature data (Björk, 2011;Boyle et al, 2015;Braidwood, 2013;Friend, 1999;Friend & Parker, 1999;Gebbing, 1959;Gravett et al, 2017;Ibler & Pankow, 2012;Kandler, 2010;Kurt, 1960;Kurt et al, 2001;Laws et al, 2007;Meller et al, 2007;Posta, Huber, & Moore, 2013;Rönnborn, 2014;Tobler, 1992;Walsh, 2017;Weisz et al, 2000;Williams et al, 2015;Wuestenhagen et al, 2000) SCHIFFMANN ET AL.…”

“…In mares late in gestation, reluctance to recumbent rest due to physical discomfort has been mentioned as well (Coomer & Fouché, ). In addition, previous research in captive elephants revealed reluctance of lying rest in situations where the animals do not feel completely safe (Laws et al, ; Roocroft, ; Williams, Bremner‐Harrison, Harvey, Evison, & Yon, ). Investigating effects of an inter‐zoo transfer of an adult Asian elephant bull, a significant change in resting behavior was reported (Laws et al, ).…”

Facilitating the social behaviour of bull elephants in zoos

“…It is possible that this sleeping behaviour in proximity to the herd may represent times when one or more of the females was in oestrus, and the bull was demonstrating mate guarding behaviour, as seen in wild elephants (Poole, ). However, this may simply reflect a preference for proximity to other elephants when sleeping, as has been observed in cow/calf groups (Williams et al ., ).…”