Successfully Assisting a Geriatric Elephant in Resuming Lying Rest – A Case Report.

The provision of a sufficient amount of satisfying rest is considered a critical welfare aspect in zoo animal care. According to our current knowledge, elephants require regular bouts of lying rest in order to have restorative sleep. This case report demonstrates how a geriatric and severely handicapped Asian elephant was supported successfully to resume lying rest. Through the provision of an appropriate slope to lie on, her bouts of lying rest became shorter, more frequent and more laterally balanced. At the same time her total daily duration of lying rest increased and the days without having any lying rest at all decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]