The Effects of Housing on Zoo Elephant Behavior: A Quantitative Case Study of Diurnal and Seasonal Variation
Abstract
One of the greatest challenges for zoo managers is ensuring the best possible welfare for zoo elephants. Few studies have focused on behavioral health of elephants over a 24-hour period and across seasons, making evaluations of behavioral variation challenging. This study examined the behavior of two zoo-housed African elephants (Loxodonta africana) over a two-year period to determine the roles of 1) indoor/outdoor housing, 2) time of day, and 3) seasonal variation on activity. Daytime behavioral differences were contrasted with nighttime activity, and across seasons. Significant differences were noted when the elephants were indoors vs. outdoors, between day and night, and between summer and winter, suggesting that evaluations of zoo elephant activity should occur throughout circadian cycles and account for seasonal variability