Latest news with #WorldAssociationofZoosandAquariums
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
How do zoos look after elderly elephants?
Susi and Bully are two of the oldest residents in Barcelona Zoo in Spain and possibly some of the oldest animals being looked after in captivity. Susi is 52, and Bully is 40 years female African elephants are said to be helping zoos around the world find new ways to look after elderly animals. The zookeepers say more animals are reaching old age with regular healthy food and vet check-ups. They say elephants' teeth are a key sign of ageing, as they begin to fall out after 40 years old. Therefore, the carers have adapted the mammals' diets to soft, sliced vegetables to make sure they can chew and digest their food without causing any further damage to their teeth. They also have regular health checks, treatment for arthritis and nutritional supplements. They also get daily pedicures where zookeepers look after their ageing feet. Susi has learnt to put her foot through a hole in the metal barriers where a zookeeper scrubs the soles of her tired feet. They also get their ears and trunk cleaned by a biologist at the zoo. Their enclosure includes a shelter to keep warm at night and has been adapted with a soft sandy floor to help any aches and pains in their feet. Barcelona Zoo is also home to other ageing animals, from a 15-year-old wolf to a leopard and tiger who are both 17, and some older birds, including a flock of senior flamingos and a 17 year-old Zordan, who is a veterinarian and the CEO at the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, says many animals have a longer lifespan under human care than those in the wild. "This is pushing us to develop more research and improve practices. "Because we are having to care for animals that in nature would probably be victims of predators or they would die of hunger or diseases. "So we are now dealing with all those new health issues that are new for us and for science. Because we are not used to seeing those animals living so long."
Euronews
14-04-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Elephant retirement home: This zoo in Spain is helping elderly animals to age gracefully
ADVERTISEMENT At the Barcelona Zoo, a 40-year-old African elephant places her foot through the metal barrier where a zookeeper gently scrubs its sole. The beloved pachyderm gets her 'pedicure,' along with apple slices every day. The treatment is part of the zoo's specialised geriatric care for ageing animals that cannot be reintroduced into the wild as zoos worldwide increasingly emphasise lifelong care. 'Sending them back into nature would be an error," said Pilar Padilla, head of the zoo's mammal care. "It is very likely they wouldn't survive.' Zoos have undergone a rethink in recent decades with the emphasis on the conservation of species and education, moving away from the past paradigm that often displayed exotic animals as a spectacle. Related Critically endangered Galapagos tortoises become first time parents at nearly 100 years old The new approach includes knowing how to adapt to the needs of ageing animals, which has led zoos to create bigger, more nature-like enclosures, such as the Sahel-Savannah area at the zoo in the Spanish city of Barcelona. Helping animals to age gracefully Along with breeding programmes to reintroduce fit animals into nature, zoos today want to ensure that animals living longer due to advancements in veterinary care can age gracefully, said Martín Zordan, the CEO of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or WAZA. 'Specialised geriatric care is becoming increasingly essential," Zordan told The Associated Press at the organisation's Barcelona offices. An old African elephant named Bully gets the sole of its foot scrubbed from a keeper inside the Barcelona Zoo in Spain. AP Photo/Hernan Muñoz Zordan said that just like older people, elderly animals require more care: regular health checks, arthritis treatment, softer foods or nutritional supplements, adapted living spaces and monitoring of mental and behavioural health. Related Five lions traumatised by war in Ukraine settle in to their 'forever home' at UK sanctuary Along with caring for a pair of ageing elephants, the Barcelona Zoo is also the home for a 15-year-old wolf, a leopard and a tiger who are both 17, as well as some older birds - including a flock of senior flamingos. It's not alone - several zoos in the United States, for example, highlight their treatment of older animals, such as the zoos in Baltimore and Baton Rouge. A study of grief Zookeepers at the Barcelona Zoo, not far from the city's Mediterranean coastline, are closely monitoring its two ageing female pachyderms, Susi and Bully (pronounced BUH'-yi), as they cope with the recent death of Yoyo, their former pen-mate and long-time companion. Yoyo died in December at age 54. Susi, at 52, is now among the oldest known African elephants in captivity, even though WAZA said the age of animals born in the wild is approximate. Bully, who is 40, is also considered old for an African elephant. All three were captured in the wild and spent time in circuses and other zoos before coming to Barcelona. An old African elephant named Bully stands inside the Barcelona Zoo in, Spain. AP Photo/Hernan Muñoz The zoo is now working with the University of Barcelona to study the impact of Yoyo's death on Susi and Bully. It's the first study of its kind, focused on elephants not from the same family after the death of a long-time companion , Padilla told The Associated Press during a recent visit to the zoo's elephant enclosure. At first, Susi and Bully showed their shock by not eating, but are now adapting well and turning to one another, including even sharing food, Padilla said, adding that Susi has taken on the dominant role that Yoyo had. ADVERTISEMENT How do you tell how old an elephant is? For elephants, their teeth are the real age test. 'What marks the decline of the animal is the wear on their teeth,' Barcelona zookeeper José María Santamaría said after finishing the Bully's pedicure. 'They go through six sets of molars during their life, and when they reach around 40 years old they lose the last set.' Related From 'the cat lady of Gaza' to West Bank vets: What frontline animal aid looks like in Palestine Susi and Bully require daily checkups, food suited for their now molar-less mouths and extra attention to their legs - hence the daily pedicures and the enclosure's soft sandy floor to cushion aching feet. 'Those are the sort of considerations taken because we care about these animals living comfortably and leading lives with dignity,' Zordan said. ADVERTISEMENT
Asharq Al-Awsat
13-04-2025
- Health
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Zoo in Spain Helps Elderly Elephants Age Gracefully
At the Barcelona Zoo, a 40-year-old African elephant places her foot through the metal barrier where a zookeeper gently scrubs its sole — the beloved pachyderm gets her 'pedicure,' along with apple slices every day. The treatment is part of the zoo's specialized geriatric care for aging animals that cannot be reintroduced into the wild as zoos world over increasingly emphasize lifelong care, The Associated Press reported. 'Sending them back into nature would be an error," said Pilar Padilla, head of the zoo's mammal care. "It is very likely they wouldn't survive.' Zoos have undergone a rethink in recent decades with the emphasis on the conservation of species and education, moving away from the past paradigm that often displayed exotic animals as a spectacle. The new approach includes knowing how to adapt to the needs of aging animals, which has led zoos to create bigger, more nature-like enclosures, such as the Sahel-Savannah area at the zoo in the Spanish city of Barcelona. Along with breeding programs to reintroduce fit animals into nature, zoos today want to ensure that animals living longer due to advancements in veterinary care can age gracefully, said Martín Zordan, the CEO of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or WAZA. 'Specialized geriatric care is becoming increasingly essential," Zordan told AP at the organization's Barcelona offices. Zordan said that just like older people, elderly animals require more care: regular health checks, arthritis treatment, softer foods or nutritional supplements, adapted living spaces and monitoring of mental and behavioral health. Along with caring for a pair of aging elephants, the Barcelona Zoo is also the home for a 15-year-old wolf, a leopard and a tiger who are both 17, as well as some older birds — including a flock of senior flamencos. It's not alone — several zoos in the United States, for example, highlight their treatment of older animals, such as the zoos in Baltimore and Baton Rouge. A study of grief Zookeepers at the Barcelona Zoo, not far from the city's Mediterranean coastline, are closely monitoring its two aging female pachyderms, Susi and Bully (pronounced BUH'-yi), as they cope with the recent death of Yoyo, their former pen-mate and long-time companion. Yoyo died in December at age 54. Susi, at 52, is now among the oldest known African elephants in captivity, even though WAZA said the age of animals born in the wild is approximate. Bully, who is 40, is also considered old for an African elephant. All three were captured in the wild and spent time in circuses an other zoos before coming to Barcelona. The zoo is now working with the University of Barcelona to study the impact of Yoyo's death on Susi and Bully. It's the first study of its kind, focused on elephants not from the same family after the death of a long-time companion, Padilla told The Associated Press during a recent visit to the zoo's elephant enclosure. At first, Susi and Bully showed their shock by not eating, but are now adapting well and turning to one another, including even sharing food, Padilla said, adding that Susi has taken on the dominant role that Yoyo had. The proof is in the teeth For elephants, their teeth are the real age test. 'What marks the decline of the animal is the wear on their teeth,' Barcelona zookeeper José María Santamaría said after finishing the Bully's pedicure. 'They go through six sets of molars during their life, and when they reach around 40 years old they lose the last set.' Susi and Bully require daily checkups, food suited for their now molar-less mouths and extra attention to their legs — hence the daily pedicures and the enclosure's soft sandy floor to cushion aching feet. 'Those are the sort of considerations taken because we care about these animals living comfortably and leading lives with dignity,' Zordan said.
The Independent
13-04-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Assisted living isn't just for people. A zoo in Spain helps elderly elephants age gracefully
At the Barcelona Zoo, a 40-year-old African elephant places her foot through the metal barrier where a zookeeper gently scrubs its sole — the beloved pachyderm gets her 'pedicure,' along with apple slices every day. The treatment is part of the zoo's specialized geriatric care for aging animals that cannot be reintroduced into the wild as zoos world over increasingly emphasize lifelong care. 'Sending them back into nature would be an error," said Pilar Padilla, head of the zoo's mammal care. "It is very likely they wouldn't survive.' Zoos have undergone a rethink in recent decades with the emphasis on the conservation of species and education, moving away from the past paradigm that often displayed exotic animals as a spectacle. The new approach includes knowing how to adapt to the needs of aging animals, which has led zoos to create bigger, more nature-like enclosures, such as the Sahel-Savannah area at the zoo in the Spanish city of Barcelona. Along with breeding programs to reintroduce fit animals into nature, zoos today want to ensure that animals living longer due to advancements in veterinary care can age gracefully, said Martín Zordan, the CEO of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or WAZA. 'Specialized geriatric care is becoming increasingly essential," Zordan told The Associated Press at the organization's Barcelona offices. Zordan said that just like older people, elderly animals require more care: regular health checks, arthritis treatment, softer foods or nutritional supplements, adapted living spaces and monitoring of mental and behavioral health. Along with caring for a pair of aging elephants, the Barcelona Zoo is also the home for a 15-year-old wolf, a leopard and a tiger who are both 17, as well as some older birds — including a flock of senior flamencos. It's not alone — several zoos in the United States, for example, highlight their treatment of older animals, such as the zoos in Baltimore and Baton Rouge. A study of grief Zookeepers at the Barcelona Zoo, not far from the city's Mediterranean coastline, are closely monitoring its two aging female pachyderms, Susi and Bully (pronounced BUH'-yi), as they cope with the recent death of Yoyo, their former pen-mate and long-time companion. Yoyo died in December at age 54. Susi, at 52, is now among the oldest known African elephants in captivity, even though WAZA said the age of animals born in the wild is approximate. Bully, who is 40, is also considered old for an African elephant. All three were captured in the wild and spent time in circuses an other zoos before coming to Barcelona. The zoo is now working with the University of Barcelona to study the impact of Yoyo's death on Susi and Bully. It's the first study of its kind, focused on elephants not from the same family after the death of a long-time companion, Padilla told The Associated Press during a recent visit to the zoo's elephant enclosure. At first, Susi and Bully showed their shock by not eating, but are now adapting well and turning to one another, including even sharing food, Padilla said, adding that Susi has taken on the dominant role that Yoyo had. The proof is in the teeth For elephants, their teeth are the real age test. 'What marks the decline of the animal is the wear on their teeth,' Barcelona zookeeper José María Santamaría said after finishing the Bully's pedicure. 'They go through six sets of molars during their life, and when they reach around 40 years old they lose the last set.' Susi and Bully require daily checkups, food suited for their now molar-less mouths and extra attention to their legs — hence the daily pedicures and the enclosure's soft sandy floor to cushion aching feet. 'Those are the sort of considerations taken because we care about these animals living comfortably and leading lives with dignity,' Zordan said.
