Journal ArticleDOI
Aspects of the reproductive biology and breeding management of Asian and African elephants Elephas maximus and Loxodonta africana
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Current knowledge of elephant reproduction is reviewed and how it is being used to aid species conservation for maximal reproductive efficiency and enhancement of genetic management is reviewed.Abstract:
Elephants possess many unique qualities, including some that relate directly to their reproductive biology. Thus, comparative studies on elephants provide valuable information to the growing biological database for extant mammals. Left undisturbed, Asian Elephas maximus and African Loxodonta Africana elephants reproduce well in the wild. It is ironic then that most captive populations face possible‘extinction'because of historically poor reproductive performance. Some of the problems with breeding elephants in captivity are logistical but others, like ovarian and uterine pathologies and bull infertility, have management-related aetiology. Through advances in endocrine monitoring and ultrasound imaging techniques, we are beginning to understand some of the complex mechanisms controlling reproductive function in elephants. Several reproductive characteristics appear to be unique to the taxon, such as luteal steroidogenic function, follicular development patterns, pituitary gonadotrophin secretion, a 22 month-long gestation and musth (in ♂♂). One example is the‘double LH surge'occurring 3 weeks apart during the follicular or non-luteal phase of the cycle, with only the second surge inducing ovulation. These qualities have at times both enhanced and hampered efforts to understand and control reproduction. We have learned that techniques developed for domestic or laboratory species are not always directly applicable to elephants. However, the recent success of artificial insemination based on new ultrasound and endocrine methodology offers hope that establishing selfsustaining populations is possible. This paper reviews our current knowledge of elephant reproduction and how it is being used to aid species conservation for maximal reproductive efficiency and enhancement of genetic management.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Causes and Correlates of Calf Mortality in Captive Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus)
TL;DR: The results on Myanmar timber elephants with an extensive keeping system provide an important comparison to compromised survivorship reported in zoo elephants and have implications for improving captive working elephant management systems in range countries and for refining population viability analyses with realistic parameter values in order to predict future population size of the Asian elephant.
Journal ArticleDOI
Assisted Reproduction in Female Rhinoceros and Elephants – Current Status and Future Perspective
TL;DR: This paper reviewed the current knowledge on rhinoceros and elephant reproduction biology, reproductive cycle, gestation, dystocia, reproductive pathology, oestrous induction and artificial insemination, sperm sexing, IVF and contraception, and how this knowledge is or might be used to aid species conservation for maximal reproductive efficiency and enhancement of genetic management.
The Human-Elephant Confl ict: A Review of Current Status and Mitigation Methods
TL;DR: The Asian elephant is categorized as an ‘endangered’ species in the Red List of the World Conservation Union (IUCN, 2008: www.iucnredlist.org) and is classifi ed with the Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES, www.elephantcare.org).
Journal ArticleDOI
Obstetrics in elephants
Robert Hermes,Joseph Saragusty,W. Schaftenaar,Frank Göritz,Dennis L. Schmitt,Thomas B. Hildebrandt +5 more
TL;DR: Limited reliable data on serum calcium concentrations, and pharmacokinetics and effect of exogenous oestrogen, oxytocin, and prostaglandins during birth provide the scope of future research, necessary to advance scientific knowledge on obstetrics in elephants.
Journal ArticleDOI
Evaluation of Demographics and Social Life Events of Asian (Elephas maximus) and African Elephants (Loxodonta africana) in North American Zoos.
Natalia A. Prado-Oviedo,Mary K. Bonaparte-Saller,Elizabeth J. Malloy,Cheryl L. Meehan,Joy A. Mench,Kathy Carlstead,Janine L. Brown +6 more
TL;DR: In summarizing demographic and social life events of elephants in North American zoos, both qualitative and quantitative differences in the early lives of imported versus captive-born elephants could have long-term welfare implications.
References
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Book
The Asian Elephant: Ecology and Management
TL;DR: This work has shown clear trends in the status and distribution of the Asian elephant and its impact on the vegetation and carrying capacity, and these trends are likely to continue to change in the coming years.
Journal ArticleDOI
Governance and the loss of biodiversity
TL;DR: It is shown that governance scores were correlated withChanges in total forest cover, but not with changes in natural forest cover and the universal applicability of an influential approach to conservation that seeks to ban international trade in endangered species is questioned.
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Genetic Evidence for Two Species of Elephant in Africa
TL;DR: Dart-biopsy samples from 195 free-ranging African elephants in 21 populations were examined for DNA sequence variation in four nuclear genes and showed large genetic distance, multiple genetically fixed nucleotide site differences, morphological and habitat distinctions, and extremely limited hybridization of gene flow support the recognition and conservation management of two African species.