Enriching the lives of captive elephants in Thailand

elephants
30 May 2017 16:00:12.433

PA 115/17

Elephants have been living alongside people for thousands of years in South East Asia and, while their proximity can often lead to conflicts over food and territory, the relationship between the two species is deeply ingrained in the culture of the region.

Now, as the Asian elephant stands on the brink of extinction, an academic at The University of Nottingham, and a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving welfare for captive animals through environmental enrichment, are joining forces with those who care for these endangered animals in Thailand and elsewhere in Southeast Asia in a bid to improve the welfare of elephants living in captivity in the region.

Dr Lisa Yon, a Lecturer in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, in the University’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, has developed a workshop in collaboration with colleagues Valerie Hare and Deb Ng from the non-profit organisation ‘Shape of Enrichment’, which trains people in developing environmental enrichment for animals living in captivity, along with Gail Laule from the Singapore Zoo, an expert in animal training methods. Together, they are working with the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) in Chiang Rai, in northern Thailand, to develop a new workshop centred around elephant welfare and wellbeing.

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More information is available from Dr Lisa Yon in the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, by email at lisa.yon@nottingham.ac.uk

Emma Thorne Emma Thorne - Media Relations Manager

Email: emma.thorne@nottingham.ac.uk Phone: +44 (0)115 951 5793 Location: University Park

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