Behavioral enrichment for captive elephants must address their complex cognitive, social, and physical needs that standard zoo exhibit design often fails to meet.
Elephant enrichment programs must address the cognitive complexity of animals that engage in sophisticated problem-solving, have long memories, and form deep social bonds. Physical enrichment including buried food and scatter-fed browse provides foraging engagement that partially compensates for the lack of natural ranging. Positive reinforcement training that teaches elephants to participate in their own healthcare reduces the stress of veterinary procedures. Social enrichment through appropriate group composition is the most important welfare intervention available for captive elephants.