Elephant foot health and male musth management are critical welfare challenges in captive populations. Best practices significantly improve long-term welfare outcomes.
Captive elephant foot disease develops from insufficient movement on appropriate substrates and inadequate foot care. Chronic foot problems cause pain that affects all aspects of wellbeing including social interaction, reproductive behaviour and longevity. Protected contact management systems that allow foot care without the welfare risk of close free contact are now standard in progressive facilities. Musth management requires additional space, separation capacity and experienced keeper judgment. Social housing in appropriate groups on substrates that include soft earth, sand and grass represents best practice for foot and overall welfare.