Are elephants willing to work for access to a shower? Final thesis. International Master Programme Applied Biology 2008, Linköping University. Karolina Bördin, supervisor: Mats Amundin Background • Huge contrast between the complex lives of wild elephants and the often barren and static conditions experienced by zoo elephants. • Environmental enrichment (EE) can be used to improve the welfare of zoo animals. Method Two female Asian elephants, Bua and Saonoi, had to lift weights, by pulling a rope, to get access to the shower. The test was repeated with increased weights, until the elephant had reached her maximum price paid. As the comparator reward, 5 kg of hay was used. Aim To define and assess EE for Asian elephants in zoos, using the maximum price paid concept. The EE tested was a shower. Results • Bua paid 1.61 and Saonoi 1.47 times more for access to 5 kg of hay than for access to the shower (fig. 1). • Saonoi used the shower to a large extent whereas Bua’s usage was rather low (fig. 2). Conclusions • Maximum price paid can be used to assess EE for zoo elephants. • A shower might be a good EE for some elephants, but individual differences can be large. Fig 1. Maximum price paid by the elephants for access to a shower and 5 kg of hay. 0 100 200 300 400 500 Bua Saonoi Weight (kg) Comparator Shower 0 20 40 60 80 100 0 100 200 300 400 Weigth (kg) Usage (% of time) Bua Saonoi Fig 2. Usage of the shower, presented as percent of time, during the first 15 min at each weight level.
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Are elephants willing to work for access to a shower?
Final thesis. International Master Programme Applied Biology 2008, Linköping University.
Karolina Bördin, supervisor: Mats Amundin
Background• Huge contrast between the complex lives of wild elephants and the often barren and staticconditions experienced by zoo elephants.
• Environmental enrichment (EE) can be usedto improve the welfare of zoo animals.
MethodTwo female Asian elephants, Bua and Saonoi, had to lift weights, by pullinga rope, to get access to the shower. The test was repeated with increasedweights, until the elephant hadreached her maximum price paid. As the comparator reward, 5 kg of haywas used.
AimTo define and assess EE for Asianelephants in zoos, using the maximum price paid concept. The EE tested was a shower.
Results• Bua paid 1.61 and Saonoi 1.47 times more for access to 5 kg of hay than for access to the shower (fig. 1).
• Saonoi used the shower to a large extent whereasBua’s usage was rather low (fig. 2).
Conclusions• Maximum price paid can be used to assess EE for zoo elephants.
• A shower might be a good EE for some elephants, but individual
differences can be large.
Fig 1. Maximum price paid by the elephants for
access to a shower and 5 kg of hay.
0
100
200
300
400
500
Bua Saonoi
Weig
ht
(kg
)
Comparator
Shower
0
20
40
60
80
100
0 100 200 300 400
Weigth (kg)
Usag
e (
% o
f ti
me)
Bua
Saonoi
Fig 2. Usage of the shower, presented as percent of
time, during the first 15 min at each weight level.
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