When is an elephant a picky eater? A study of the African elephant finds that, despite its large size and fast-operating digestive system, this mammal does not eat just anything. This mega-herbivore selectively chooses species and parts of the woody plants that comprise its diet. An article in the current issue of Journal of Mammalogy […]
The African Elephant’s unique food choices Read More »
A new report on successful, safe and humane birth control in elephants should benefit wildlife managers in Africa according to the Humane Society of the United States. African wildlife managers are constantly dealing with questions surrounding the need to slow the growth of elephant populations, especially in smaller parks and reserves, to prevent loss of
New techniques for managing wild elephants Read More »
Just to watch these two old elephants, Jenny and Shirley, gives you the most perfect picture of what friendship is about. This remarkable story of friendship began twenty-two years ago at a circus when Jenny was a calf and Shirley was in her twenties. Back then, they only spent one winter together before they were
As we’ve discovered in previous articles, there are many and varied experiences that you can have with elephants in Asia. So, how do you find the ethical ones? Let me step back for a minute and explain the history of the Asian elephant, once highly revered and domesticated for work and warfare. Far from the
The ethical elephant experience Read More »
Joyce Poole has a PhD in elephant behaviour from Cambridge University and is co-founder of Elephant Voices, an organisation aimed at securing a kinder future for elephants through research and the sharing of knowledge. Joyce has studied the social behaviour and communication of elephants for more than 30 years, dedicating herself to their conservation and
Elephant entertainment Read More »
Elephants are simply amazing creatures. One cannot help being awed in their presence. They are complex beings – intelligent, gentle and curious. In Asia, there are many places to get close to elephants, some ethical and others less so. Although you might expect it to be easy, sometimes it’s hard to know the difference. This
Elephants on the streets Read More »
Earlier this year, we were contacted by two animal activists regarding elephant welfare – after we’d published some stories on elephant sanctuaries in Asia. Adore Animals Foundation Managing Director Lisa Louden had visited one elephant sanctuary in Laos and another in Thailand, and wrote about her experiences there. She went as a full-paying tourist to
Australians are proving time and again that when it comes to animals, our scientists and trainers are world class. None more so than Dr Andrew McLean, a renowned horse trainer who now, in a remarkable twist of circumstance, has applied his training techniques to elephants. What’s even more astounding, however, is that Dr McLean is
Training with Trunks – teaching elephants new tricks Read More »
Joe Parsons is the owner of Aussie Dog, a company that makes toys for domestic animals and wildlife. He also makes elephant boots, which are used in zoos all around the world. A generous heart and these big boots have now led him to become involved in a remarkable project that is now and forever
Love in a Thai Elephant Sanctuary Read More »
