Awais Baig, [28 Nov 2024 at 11:56:38]: Hi all. I am having a problem with my elephant female who is distressed by following reasons. Please advise if the anxiety can be reduced via drugs or natural remedies Summary: Raja, a female African elephant, is experiencing severe stress and discomfort due to excessive noise pollution from generators and ongoing construction activities within the vicinity of elephant enclosure & zoological garden. Additionally, she is exhibiting behavioural changes consistent with grief following the recent loss of an elderly elephant companion. Observations: 1. Sleep Disturbances: Raja is unable to sleep in her night shelter due to the constant noise from generators operating 24/7 outside her exhibit which has been resolve now. 2. Stress and Anxiety: Visible signs of stress, including elevated vocalizations cause lack of sleep Raja sleeps in the day time while visitors wish to feeding her 3. Grief and Behavioural Changes: Following the passing of the elderly elephant companion : withdrawal and social isolation changing feeding habits Increased agitation and irritability 4. Environmental Factors: Continuous generator noise (24/7) Construction sounds and vibrations Potential disruption of social structure and routine Adrian Tordiffe, [29 Nov 2024 at 07:08:21]: Female elephants are very social and never do well if they are kept on their own. It would be better to either find suitable companions for her or move her to another facility with other female elephants. Keepers that are strongly bonded to her can help, especially if they can use a lot of positive reinforcement training, but I don't think they ever can totally fulfil the role of another elephant companion. There are no really effective long term anxiolytic drugs for a situation like this. Better if you can get them to stop construction at night so that she can get some time to rest/sleep. David Gerber, 29 Nov 2024 Could daily Valium in feed not help to make her more comfortable? It is used in humans at low doses for months (remove stress during IVF procedures and thus allowing normal hormonal events to happen) to have a calming effect and take some stress away. I have no clue of dosage for or effect in elephants. Years ago I kept impala in bomas for embryo transfer purposes and we kept them for 8 months on a low dose of Valium with excellent results (and no effect on reproduction) Erik Verrynne, 29 Nov 2024 Hi Awais. I agree with Adrian. No drugs are going to solve your problem on its own. You will have to manage the underlying problem by providing a companion and giving her periods of peace and quiet where she can feel secure.
