The effect of penning versus picketing on stereotypic behavior of circus elephants
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1999 |
Authors: |
Ted H. Friend, Melissa L. Parker |
Publication/Journal: |
Applied Animal Behaviour Science |
Keywords: |
circus, elephant, housing, stereotypies |
Abstract:
The behavior of nine female Asian (Elephas maximus) elephants who performed two shows each day with a circus that traveled to a new location (40 to 250 km from the previous day’s lot) daily or every two days was studied during the 1996 and 1998 seasons. When not performing or working, the elephants were picketed during 1996 in the traditional fashion in two separate groups of 8 and 9 elephants each. During the 1998 season, the same elephants were maintained exclusively in small (approximately 52 m2 per elephant) portable electric pens. Camera and time-lapse recorders were used to videotape the behavior of each elephant, while picketed or penned, for three ∼24 h periods during the 1996 and 1998 seasons. The behavior of each focal elephant was recorded at 5 min intervals. The amount of time the elephants spent stereotypic weaving was significantly decreased (P=0.009) by keeping the elephants in pens when compared to picketing. The incidence of all stereotypic behavior (weaving, head bobbing and trunk tossing) was also significantly decreased (P=0.019) when the elephants were kept in pens. The total amount of time spent performing all stereotypic behaviors (weaving, head bobbing and trunk tossing) was negatively correlated with age when the elephants were picketed in 1996 (r=−0.71, P=0.031, N=9) and somewhat less correlated with age when penned in 1998 (r=−0.66, P=0.053, N=9). Time spent performing all stereotypic behavior was not correlated with time spent eating (P>0.11) or time spent lying (P>0.24) when the elephants were picketed or penned. Portable electric pens are preferred over picketing because of reduced stereotypic behavior, the elephants are reportedly calmer when out of the pens for work or performances, and the elephants can be kept cleaner.