Male elephant musth is a periodic physiological state associated with heightened aggression and reproductive drive. Understanding musth welfare implications is important for both wild and captive elephants.
Captive bulls in musth confined to standard elephant exhibits experience extreme frustration from inability to express the behavioral drives associated with this physiological state. Chains and physical confinement during musth — historically used for safety — cause acute welfare harm on top of the already elevated stress of the musth state. Facilities with appropriate infrastructure allowing bulls more space and reduced handling during musth provide better welfare outcomes. In wild populations, musth bulls that are harassed out of musth by dominant competitors experience chronic stress. The welfare of musth bulls requires both physiological understanding and facility design that allows the state to run its natural course without confinement.