Concerns about animal welfare increasingly shape people's views about the acceptability of
keeping animals for food production, biomedical research, and in zoos. The field of animal …

As part of a multi-institutional study of zoo elephant welfare, we evaluated female elephants
managed by zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and applied …

The in situ and ex situ populations of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are rapidly
decreasing. It is crucial to breed elephants in captivity so that captive stocks do not need to …

To assess zoo elephants' welfare using objective population‐level indices, we sought data
from zoos and other protected populations (potential “benchmarks”) on variables affected by …

Obesity-related health and reproductive problems may be contributing to non-sustainability
of zoo African elephant (Loxodonta africana) populations. However, a major constraint in …

In the context of reproduction, glucocorticoids (GCs) are generally considered to have
negative effects. However, in well-studied model species, GCs fluctuate predictability across …

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether excessive body fat and altered
metabolic hormone concentrations in the circulation were associated with ovarian acyclicity …

Cortisol is involved in a broad range of physiological processes and enables animals to
adapt to new situations and challenges. Diurnal fluctuations in circulating cortisol …

A written survey assessed reproductive status of female Asian and African elephants in
AZA/SSP facilities in 2008, and data were compared to surveys conducted in 2002 and …

Acyclicity, conception failure, abortion, stillbirth, dystocia, infanticide and neonatal mortality
have all been reported as causes of reproductive failure in zoo elephants. These events are …