ELEPHANT TRAILS

ELEPHANT TRAILS

Elephant Trails is an extensive conservation program built on decades of Zoo science, which will help us understand human-elephant conflict, stabilize existing habitats and populations, and improve conditions for captive populations in Asia.

The Zoo understands that saving Asian elephants cannot be accomplished by a single organization. The great undertaking requires strong and effective partnerships among key players. Because of its existing relations with U.S. and foreign governments, non-governmental organizations, and major academic and zoological institutions in elephant range countries, the Zoo is uniquely positioned to spearhead efforts that improve life for Asian elephants in zoos and save them in the wild.

NATIONAL ZOO ELEPHANT RESEARCH PROGRAMS

ELEPHANT ENDOTHELIOTROPIC HERPESVIRUS (EEHV)

EEHV is the greatest threat to the Asian elephant today with a fatality rate of 80 percent. First identified by the National Zoo, scientists have identified more than 60 cases of EEHV in the global captive elephant population since it was first documented. But EEHV not only affects captive Asian elephants—it has been the cause of death of more than 20 orphan and wild elephant calves within Asia. The National Zoo has conducted ground-breaking research on EEHV and our Herpes-virus Laboratory is the primary worldwide resource of information, testing and research for the elephant community.

REPRODUCTION AND HEALTH

The Endocrine Research Lab is the only facility in the United States providing extensive monitoring services for tracking the reproductive health of zoo elephants. Janine Brown and her staff work with dozens of zoos to conduct hormone evaluations to assess the reproductive status of hundreds of female elephants.

BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH

Although scientists are very familiar with the interaction and communication of African elephants, they know almost nothing about Asian elephant sociality. Elephant Trails will provide scientists with unparalleled opportunities to study elephant behavior, including female interactions, cow/calf relationships, bull behavior, cognition, mate choice.

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)

While much research attention has been focused on African elephants, very little is known about their Asian cousins. Being forest dwellers, Asian elephants are extremely difficult to study. Asian elephant habitat has declined by 70 percent during the past 30 years, and presently fewer than 40,000 Asian elephants remain in the wild. Scientists at the National Zoo’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) lab use satellite imagery and ground studies to track and study Asian elephants and their habitat.

MITIGATING HUMAN-ELEPHANT CONFLICT

People and elephants have co-existed in Asia for thousands of years. However, dramatic changes in how people interact with land and elephants have caused a significant increase in people-elephant conflicts. To help solve this problem, we are: Working with Asian leaders to implement land-use strategies that will reduce conflict between wild elephants and farmers; and developing tools for managing and protecting Asian elephants in areas that are threatened by agricultural conversion. 

ELEPHANT GENETICS

Scientists know little about the size and structure of wild elephant populations and the genes that are necessary for survival. Combining non-invasive genetic techniques with satellite tracking and other methods, we are working with our local partners to conduct vital research about Asian elephant population biology and genetics. 

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION

Training and mentoring future scientists and conservationists is one of the National Zoo’s greatest strengths. Species are not saved by individuals, but by groups of scientists, managers and the general public.

Training future leaders in science and conservation is one of our most effective conservation tools. The National Zoo has training and mentorship programs that provide support for aspiring elephant experts from the U.S. and Asia, including pre- and post-graduate fellowships; elephant veterinary training workshops; and Asian elephant professional internships in Zoo research departments.