Changing trends in elephant camp management in northern Thailand and implications for welfare
Changing trends in elephant camp management in northern Thailand and implications for welfare
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DOI：
10.7717/peerj.5996
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发表时间：
2018-11-23
期刊：
影响因子：
2.7
通讯作者：
Nganvongpanit, Korakot
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Bansiddhi, Pakkanut;Brown, Janine L.;Nganvongpanit, Korakot
背景：大象营地是泰国最吸引来自许多国家的游客的目的地之一。这些营地使用了各种各样的管理策略，这可能会对大象的健康和福利产生不同的影响。方法：本研究调查了泰国北方的33个营地，627头大象，以量化圈养大象所经历的管理实践和工作活动的类型。调查包括对营地所有者的采访，以及对营地运营的直接观察。结果：数据显示，大象人口统计、工作活动、大象护理（即，住房、约束、营养、保健和饲养）以及营地中的驯象管理。一般来说，较老的营地（存在超过16年）参与更密集的活动，如骑马和表演。相比之下，新的营地为游客和大象提供了更多的一对一活动，并强调更亲密，放松的体验（例如，进食、洗澡、散步）而不是娱乐。还观察到了人口结构的变化，与年龄较大的大象相比，20岁及以下的大象的性别比例接近1：1（1：4.1-1：9.8）。讨论：观察到大象管理向强度较低的活动转变，这可能对大象福利产生积极影响。性别比例的变化表明，成功的圈养繁殖导致更多的雄性出生，这可能会在未来带来新的福利挑战，因为公牛可能更难管理和社会化，并且更有可能在发情期间被隔离。最终，目标是了解营地活动如何影响福利，并制定以科学为基础的指导方针和标准，以帮助管理旅游业中使用的公象和母象。
Background: Elephant camps are among the most attractive destinations in Thailand for tourists from many countries. A wide range of management strategies are used by these camps, which can have varied impacts on health and welfare of elephants.Methods: This study surveyed 33 camps with 627 elephants in northern Thailand to quantify the types of management practices and work activities experienced by captive elephants. The survey consisted of an interview with camp owners, and direct observations of camp operations.Results: Data revealed considerable variation in elephant demographics, work activities, elephant care (i.e., housing, restraint, nutrition, health care, and breeding), and mahout management among the camps. In general, older camps (those in existence for >16 years) were involved in more intensive activities, like riding with saddles and shows. By contrast, newer camps provided more one-on-one activities for tourists and elephants, and emphasized more intimate, relaxing experiences (e.g., feeding, bathing, walking) than entertainment. A demographic shift also was observed, with elephants 20 years of age and younger having a sex ratio closer to 1:1 compared to elephants in older age categories (1:4.1-1:9.8).Discussion: Shifts in elephant management to less intensive activities were observed, which could have positive implications for elephant welfare. The shifting sex ratio suggests successful captive breeding is resulting in the birth of more males, which could present new welfare challenges in the future, because bulls can be more difficult to manage and socialize, and are more likely to be kept isolated during musth. Ultimately, the goal is to understand how camp activities affect welfare, and to develop science-based guidelines and standards to aid in the management of both male and female elephants used in tourism.