Socializing a group of male Asian elephants in a semi-captive facility in Lao PDR.

ABSTRACT: This study documents the introduction process of eight unrelated captive male Asian elephants in a free-contact management setting in Laos, utilizing a two-phase introduction process comprising limited tactile contact followed by full physical introduction. Behavioral data were collected using all-occurrence and focal-animal sampling, while fecal samples were analyzed for glucocorticoid (fGCM) and androgen (fAM) metabolite concentrations to assess physiological responses. Results indicated a prevalence of affiliative over aggressive or submissive behaviors throughout both introduction phases, supporting the idea that unrelated males can create social bonds without excessive aggression in captive settings. Affiliative behaviors declined over time during the limited tactile contact phase, th

SUBMITTER: Lopez Perez AB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12654932 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature