Metabolism in captive Asian elephants reveals insights into health

Greg Howard
19th December, 2025

Metabolism in captive Asian elephants reveals insights into health

This study reveals that the physical condition of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus, pictured) is a direct reflection of its captive management, with naturalistic, foraging-based lifestyles promoting healthier metabolic outcomes than diets supplemented for tourism.

Photo adapted from: Mark Clarke / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • This study, comparing elephants in Laos and Thailand, found that those in Laos generally had healthier metabolic profiles due to more natural foraging and exercise
  • Elephants in Thailand exhibited higher glucose, insulin, and cholesterol levels, linked to high-calorie diets and limited activity, even during the tourism shutdown
  • Despite better metabolic health, elephants in Laos showed higher stress hormone levels, potentially due to recent social changes or pandemic-related disruptions in care
The welfare of Asian elephants in captivity is a complex issue, particularly as the demand for elephant tourism continues to grow in regions like Thailand and Laos. Historically, many elephants were employed in the logging industry, but with logging bans, these animals needed new roles, often within the tourism sector[2]. However, this shift has raised concerns about whether captive elephants are receiving adequate care and maintaining good health. A key challenge is identifying management practices that best support their physical and psychological well-being. A recent study by researchers at Chiang Mai University, the Smithsonian National Zoo, Walailak University, and Jimma University[1] directly compared the health of 78 Asian elephants under different management systems in Laos and Thailand. In Laos, elephants generally live in more natural forest environments with limited tourist interaction, allowing them to forage naturally and engage in more physical activity. Conversely, many elephants in Thailand are heavily involved in tourism, often being fed high-calorie diets to support activities like riding, and have restricted access to natural forage. The study aimed to determine how these contrasting lifestyles impact the elephants’ metabolic health. Metabolic health refers to the efficiency with which an animal processes energy. To assess this, the researchers analyzed blood and fecal samples collected from the elephants over a year. They measured several biomarkers, including glucose (a type of sugar in the blood), insulin (a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar), cholesterol, triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood), and lipoproteins (molecules that carry cholesterol). They also assessed body condition scores (BCS), which provide a visual estimate of an elephant’s fat reserves, and levels of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM), which indicate stress levels. The results revealed significant differences between the two populations. Elephants in Thailand exhibited significantly higher glucose, insulin, lipid levels, and BCS compared to those in Laos. This suggests that the high-calorie diets and reduced exercise common in Thai elephant management systems contribute to poorer metabolic health and overweight conditions. Interestingly, in the Thai elephants, higher BCS was linked to imbalances in their metabolic markers – specifically, higher insulin and lower ratios of glucose to insulin, as well as lower levels of both “good” (HDL) and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol. This indicates that overweight elephants in Thailand may be at risk of developing metabolic disorders. No such correlations were found in the Laotian elephant population, where BCS appeared to be a more neutral indicator of health. One unexpected finding was that Lao elephants had higher levels of fGCM, suggesting greater stress. The researchers hypothesized this could be related to recent changes in their social environment – the introduction of new elephants – or disruptions in management practices caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This highlights the importance of considering the broader context of an elephant’s life when assessing welfare, as factors beyond diet and exercise can influence stress levels[3]. Previous research has demonstrated the importance of enrichment, stimulation, and balanced diets for elephant welfare in both North American zoos and Thai tourist camps[3]. The current study builds on this work by directly comparing the metabolic consequences of different management approaches. It reinforces the idea that providing elephants with opportunities for natural foraging and exercise is crucial for maintaining their health. The findings also align with the emphasis on individualized care and consideration of psychological needs highlighted in recommendations for improving tourist elephant welfare in Thailand[2]. The study also touches upon the complex interactions between captive and wild elephant populations, particularly regarding breeding[4]. While not directly addressed in this metabolic health comparison, the health of captive elephants impacts their reproductive success, and therefore, the long-term viability of the species. Ultimately, the research underscores that there is no single “one-size-fits-all” approach to elephant management. However, it strongly suggests that adopting more naturalistic practices – prioritizing diet composition, exercise opportunities, and allowing for a more naturalistic living environment – can significantly improve the health and welfare of captive elephants.

HealthEcologyAnimal Science

References

Main Study

1) Metabolic profiles of captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Lao PDR and Thailand

Published 17th December, 2025

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0334550

Related Studies

2) Elephant Tourism in Thailand: A Review of Animal Welfare Practices and Needs.

https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2019.1569522

3) Commonalities in Management and Husbandry Factors Important for Health and Welfare of Captive Elephants in North America and Thailand.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040737

4) Wild-captive interactions and economics drive dynamics of Asian elephants in Laos.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-13907-x


Related Articles

An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙