VMD 512: Zoo/Wild Animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

HANDLING OF ELEPHANTS

• Sternal recumbency has to be avoided in case of elephants because this may cause more interferences during the respiratory activities of these mega herbivores which lack pleura in general.
• Elephant hooks are used for the control of the elephants and however, its usage is banned in few places and the legal issues related to it’s usage are to be taken care of, promptly.
• Chaining of elephants with adequate pads to avoid the injuries may be carried out in one of the legs especially the hindlimb and the other end of the chain is often tied to the peg or iron bar.
• If mild is the painful operation, the animal maybe sedated by xylazine. However, major operations causing severe pain are difficult to be carried out despite the usage of xylazine in the elephants, fora field related immobilization purpose.
• Elephants should not be handled to the possible extent without the assistance of mahout or the care taker of the elephant.