Elephant Day: Captive Elephant Management

The elephant is one of the largest animals on earth. It is also considered the most powerful animal on earth. Usually, it is a wild animal although it can also live as a captive animal in close enclouser or a house with after proper training. Elephant has always been a very useful animal for humanity. The major purpose of elephant rearing in captive condition is for forest excursions entertaining tourists in parks and reserves, other wild animal rescue and sometimes as a means of transportation. In captive condition, it is necessary to take care of elephants in a proper way. The caretaker is known as Mahout and they are the close friends of the elephants too. They regularly observe every behavior of the animal and consult with veterinarian for unusual activity related to illness.

Elephants are food lover animal. An Asian elephant consumes dry matter about 1.3% of its body weight, which is equivalent to daily 150-250 kg of vegetation. This includes grass, small plants, bushes, fruits, twigs, tree bark, and roots. Tree bark is a favorite food source, contains calcium and roughages aids in digestion. Succulent food needs during hot climate and elephant loves pineapple, which helps to be relaxed in Exhausted and stressed condition. In Chitwan National Park, there is a special daily concentrate supplement, which is named “Kuchi” that contains rice paddy, molasses grams and salt in appropriate concentration. For lactating female and calf, extra kgs of cooked rice is provided. An adult male elephant can drink up to 212 L (55 gal) of water in less than five minutes. Extra water is provided in hot condition.  Infant care is a difficult task for a mahout. For 2-3 year, mother’s milk is enough and in case of Orphans, milk free of lactose should be provided. Bovine colostrum and lactobacillus to protect GI tract. To provide additional fat, desiccated coconut and butterfat, fat cream are added, with vitamin and mineral supplements (vit E, vit B, calcium).

For a healthy life, proper housing with better environment is a prerequisite. Even though the concept of chain free settlement has been introduced in Nepal, it has not been fully implemented. The minimum floor areas required for an elephant according to its maturity is:

Weaned calf (height below 1.5 m): 5m*2.5m

Sub adult elephant (1.5-2.25 m): 7m*3.5m

Adult (>2.25m) and cow elephant with unweaned calf: 9m*6m

Height of the structure > 5.5 m

Nail trimming is necessary to balance the level of nail and pad. For footbaths in KMnO4, alum, MgSo4, betadine are applied for 20-30 minutes and oil in cuticles to reduce the risk of infections. At least once a week, they need a bath and Prevent from getting chilly after shower. Dry before allowing into cool air or in the warm climates, let the sun dry it.They become lazy and weak if not exposed in regular exercise and games. Despite having good intelligence, good ability to hear and good ability to smell, elephant's ability to see is very weak, due to which it faces many problems. In addition, they do not miss regular checkup and vaccinations.

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http://www.fao.org/3/ad031e/ad031e0e.htm#:~:text=Since%201978%2C%20the%20management%20responsibility,RSWR%20have%20maintained%20trained%20elephants.