ELEPHANT SCIENCE

The Zoo’s rich history of caring for and studying Asian elephants spans more than a century. Home to the National Elephant Herpesvirus Lab and the Endocrine Research Lab, we are leaders in a collaborative national study to understand and improve elephant welfare in zoos and are part of a cognitive research program to prove just how smart elephants are. With multiple projects in elephant-range countries, we have been at the forefront of studying and helping to conserve this species in the wild for more than 50 years.

With the world’s largest concentration of zoo-based scientists, the National Zoo creates the knowledge and strategies to save species. The Zoo’s research has increased our knowledge of elephants and their environments , which has led to protection of habitats and better care for captive elephants in range countries.

The three pillars of our conservation and science program are:

• Advancing conservation of wild Asian elephants through scientific excellence
• Improving care and management of elephants via zoo-based research
• Training and mentoring the next generation of elephant experts.

WHY ELEPHANTS?

Elephants may be huge in size, but that’s not the only reason they are also a big priority at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, which is a leader in elephant conservation and science. These majestic animals are an important part of the ecosystems in the wild and African elephants are a threatened species, while Asian elephants are endangered.

That’s why the National Zoo has a dedicated team of scientists working to understand the biology, reproductive physiology and genetics of these majestic animals, using the four elephants at the National Zoo—Ambika, Shanthi, Bozie, and Kandula—but also animals at other zoos and elephants in the field in their native homes.

What the Zoo’s researchers learn is applied to conservation efforts in elephant-range countries and to the captive management of elephants in zoos, which inspires the public to care about the future of these giants.