Supporting data for "REPONSES TO FOOD, NOVELTY AND ACTIVITY IN CAPTIVE ASIAN ELEPHANTS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS)"

The overarching goal of this thesis is to characterise and quantify elephant behavioural and physiological responses in different settings. Chapter 2 highlights the importance of training within the context of captive animal welfare and performance. In this chapter we explore the methodology and its limitations for further food-based chapters (Chapters 3 & 4) by providing insight into captive Asian elephant olfactory capabilities and behavioural (latency) indicators of training success within an experimental setting. Chapter 3 examines the impact of sensory modality on Asian elephant behaviour in a foraging context. Using an experimental setting we measure and quantify specific food-based behaviours, when we limit elephants’ sensory abilities to three treatments: vision, olfaction and vision and olfaction simultaneously. In the same experiment elephants were also exposed to novel and familiar food items (within each sensory treatment) to explore the the neophilic/ neophobic behavioural responses of elephants within a foraging context. Chapter 4 evaluates neophobic / neophilic food-based behavioural responses at greater depth and characterises the food preferences of elephants. Here we use a similar experimental design to Chapter 3, presenting elephants with an array of novel and familiar food items without sensory constraints. Chapter 5 quantifies the impact of exercise on the temperature of different elephant body regions. Using thermography, we assessed the temperature changes of elephants (before and after exercise) undertaking two different forms of exercise; regular eco-tourism activities such as walks with tourists through Chitwan National Park (Nepal), which elephants undertake daily during lodge opening times (Sept-May) and an irregular activity; an elephant polo tournament (on an ad-hoc basis but always in December).