A Study of Stress Hormone Levels Before and After Enrichment in Male Elephants at Khao Kheow Open Zoo

Abstract

This study compared levels of stress hormone (Corticosterone) before, between and after the addition of diet enrichment of male elephants (Elephas maximus) in captivity at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. The study was conducted from May to August 2022. Fecal corticosterone in 4 males of Asian elephants was detected by using a double-antibody EIA technique. The results of the average comparison of corticosterone (Mean±SEM) before, between and after the addition of diet enrichment were 44.15 ± 1.18, 57.61 ± 1.20 and 49.75 ± 1.21 ng/g of dry feces, respectively. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) and corticosterone levels among the 4 male elephants were not also significantly different throughout the study period. The study provides useful basic information about captivity management of the elephants for better animal welfare and support appropriate management in captivity.