European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)
Minimum Standards for the Accomodation and Care of Animals in Zoos and Aquaria
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World Association of Zoos and Aquaria (WAZA)
How the African/Asian Elephant should be kept »
Elephants are social animals and should not be kept alone.
It is not allowed to keep them permanently chained, but the facilities should be so designed as to allow for
temporary chaining or otherwise restraining the animals.
The zoo must have a clear concept whether hands-on, hands-off or protected contact will be
practiced, and behavioural enrichment must be provided.
The outdoor enclosure should have a surface of 3000 m² for three adult females and their offspring,
and 300 m² more for each additional adult. In colder climatic zones there should
also be an indoor enclosure of 300 m² / 30 m².
For each adult bull enclosures of 700 m² outdoors and 100 m² are required. Individual boxes should have a size of
40 m² for females and 50 m² for bulls. The enclosures and boxes should be
confined in a way as to minimize the risk of injuries. The indoor facilities
should be well ventilated and a temperature of at least 15 °C should be
maintained.
Elephants must have the opportunity to bathe or be showered daily.
The outdoor enclosure must contain a pool, mud bath, and sandy patches, as well
as tree trunks for chafing.
The feed should be rich in crude fiber and include hay, branches, fruit, vegetables, and should
be supplemented with vitamines and minerals. Elephants should alwys have access to clean water.
For larger picture click on the small one.
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Twiggy, female, Asian elephant, born in India,1966, wild.
She was brought to England as a baby, because of her bad behaviour she was transfered to
Amersfoort Zoo in Netherlands where she spent 15 years. She killed a keeper and when Zoo wanted to kill her Belgrade
zoo asked to have her for mating.
Twiggy arrived in Belgrade Zoo in 1990. In that time, Belgrade Zoo had the elephant
named 'Boy', but Twiggy didn't like him, they fought a lot, and they never mated.
Boy, male, Asian elephant, born 1970, wild, arrived in Belgrade Zoo in 1984 from circus.
Died 1997, foot cancer.