Improving Well-being of

Elephants at the Los Angeles

Zoo
PRESENTED BY

BATOOL BANYMOHAMMED, SUZANNE

BERNARD, JOANNA
BEACOM, ARACELY DIAZ,
JAN TAKASUGI
DECEMBER 10, 2015

Introduction
Observation and study of our three zoo
elephants to determine how best to
improve their well-being as measured by
a reduction in repetitive behavior and an
increase in more positive social,
exploration and foraging behavior

Jewel and Tina

Billy

Elephant Background
Tina - born 1966
Jewel - born 1962

On permanent loan from

San Diego Zoo, where they
were brought in 2009 after
rescue from a Texas circus.

Billy - born 1985. Brought to LA Zoo at age 4

from Malaysia, where reportedly, he was

orphaned when his herd was culled due to
conflict with farmers.

Repetitive behavior

Head bobbing
Pacing
Swaying
Stepping forward and back

Witnessed in animals in captivity

and far less frequently in the wild

Repetitive Motion (step forward and

back, head bob)

Public Concern regarding Animals in Captivity

Non-Repetitive Behavior

Exploration
Foraging and feeding
Locomotion
Social Interaction

These are behaviors more commonly

seen in the wild, thought to reflect wellbeing

Reducing Repetitive Behavior

Since reduction in repetitive behavior is

a goal in improvement of animal wellbeing, a number of zoo studies have

been designed to examine the effect of
various independent variables on the
frequency of the undesirable repetitive
behaviors

Current Study: Hypothesis

When feeding schedules are less

predictable, and more effort is needed

to get food, the elephants spend more
time feeding and foraging, and less
time doing repetitive behavior.

Independent Variables

Size of Habitat/Location
Feeding Schedule
Food Type
Enrichment Devices
Presence of Keeper
Presence of other Elephants
Crowd, weather
Sneaky Feedings

Dependent Variables
Activity (eg. Feeding, Foraging,
Locomotion, Exploration, Moving in
place)
Items for exploration or food items
Repetitive Behavior (eg. Head
bobbing, Trunk swaying, Stepping back
and forth)
Social Interaction

Data Collection Sheet

Steps / Methods
Data Sheets
Data is collected on 8.5/14 sheets, each representing 15
minutes of observation
Log Book Entries
General activities within the observation, as well as any
notable occurrences (feedings, yard changes, social
interactions) are recorded for group members to share
Tabulation
Two tabulation sheets: one for tabulating social bouts, and
another for tabulating behaviors and areas
Data Entry and Analysis
Data is transferred from tabulation sheets to computer and
run through data analysis

Behavior Observations
Observation periods of 15 minutes with

scans every 30 seconds

Record activity and repetitive behavior,

location, keeper direction, social

interaction, time until and since feeding

Results
Elephant study started in fall 2001
Total Data found per Elephant:
Billy:

4139 hours of observation

Tina: 728 hours of observation
Jewel: 735 hours of observation

Results
ANOVA (Analysis of Variance)
determines if there are any significant differences
between means of three or more independent
groups
done to see if there is similarity in the

behavior of the 3 different elephants

If so, the environment is indeed causing
their behavior, rather than their individual
personalities

Stats
2 ANOVAs were done:
Dependent Variables:
Independent Variables:
%Time in Repetitive
activities
Focal Animal
% Time
Condition
Exploring/Foraging/Feeding
Hour of day
/Traveling
Month
Areas utilized (may 20142015)
Quarter
Time

Between Subject Factors:

Billy in musth

given food

Results
Statistical Data:
Means:

Show

the average time each Independent

variable spends per activity.
Significant Difference:
If value is greater than .05 then the data shows
that there is a significant difference.
Graphs:
Visual aid to show rise and fall in behavior

Key Means
From Jan 2014 Nov 2015
% time in repetitive activities
Billy: 45%
Tina and Jewel: 8.5% and 10.6% respectively
Similarly shows that show that there is lack of variance for the
girls.

From the past 3 months:

% time in Repetitive Activities for all:
Sep: 30%
Oct: 24%
Nov: 24%

% Time in Repetitive Behavior: 2001-2015

% Time Exploring/Foraging/Feeding/Traveling:
2001-2015

% Areas within the enclosures that are utilized:

May 2014 Nov 2015

% Time in Repetitive Activities: 2014 & 2015

% Time in Repetitive Activities: 2014 & 2015

% Time in Repetitive Activities: 2014 & 2015

Billy in Musth
Significance difference:

Means:

%Time EX/FG/FD:
In: 0.113 %
% Time in Repetitive Activities
0.834 %

If the values are over 0.05% then

the difference is NOT significant.

%Time EX/FG/FD
In: 55.0
Not in: 50.0
% Time in Repetitive Activities:
In: 26.3
Not in: 25.6

Means are almost equal during and

not during must. No key difference

is seen.

Billy in Musth

Summarized Results
Billy:
Repetitive behavior trends
highest in 2001 - 89% of day
lowest in 2010 -New exhibit /Elephants
Later increased despite bigger space/enrichment
Likely due to anticipated feedings
Highest at 7 am and 1 pm
2012- change in protocol
Notation of last/next time fed
Closer time to feeding, increase of repetitive activity

Summarized Results
Aug 2014- introduction of sneaky feedings
repetitive activity decreased

Fall 2014- shortage of staff

Sneaky feedings declined
repetitive activity increased
October 2015
Sneaky feedings increased
By November Billy's repetitive activity started decreasing
again

Conclusions
Repetitive Behavior is discouraged because it is not

seen in the wild.

Study aims to help understand elephant behavior
in Zoos and how we can change it.
Repetitive Behavior
Highest in 2001
Lowest when habitat changed and new elephants came
Currently decreasing
implementation of Sneaky feedings

THANK YOU
Thank you to Dr. Cathleen Cox, and to Nancy Yen for

assistance in data collection and tabulation training