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Asian Elephant Body Condition Index
http://asesg.org/PDFfiles/2009/Asian Elephant Body Condition Index.pdf
(Developed by Dr. V. Krishnamurthy, Dr. C. Wemmer, and John Lehnhardt)a
Body area
Observation
Score
1.Head: temporal
depression (view
from several
angles)
full and convex in
outline when
viewed from
behind, frontal
ridge vaguely
outlined = 2 points
slightly to
moderately
concave, frontal
ridge defined = 1
point
deeply concave,
frontal ridge forms a
crater-like rim
around the temporal
depression = 0 points
2.Scapula
(shoulder blade)
(view from side)
spinous process not
visible, or slightly
visible = 2 points
spinous process
pronounced and
bladeline with the
acromial process
appearing as a knot =
0 points
3.Thoracic region
(view from side)
ribs not visible,
barrel smooth = 2
points
spinous process
visible as a
vertical ridge
with a concavity
between the ridge
and the posterior
edge of the
scapula = 1 point
some ribs visible,
but the extent and
demarcation not
pronounced = 1
point
no depression
visible, flank
bulges outwards
in front of the
pelvis = 1 point
depression visible as
a sunken area
immediately in front
of the pelvis = 0
points
4. Flank area
(immediately in
front of pelvis)
(view from side
and behind)
many ribs strongly
demarcated with
pronounced
intercostal
depressions = 0
points
5. Lumbar
vertebrae (behind
ribs and in front of
pelvis) (view from
behind; an elevated
vantage point may
be necessary)
not visible, lower
back smooth and
rounded = 2 points
visible as a ridge;
skin slopes away
from the top of
the ridge; height
of the vertebrae
does not exceed
width = 1 point
visible as a knife-like
blade; sides of the
spinal ridge are
parallel, and the
height exceeds the
width = 0 points
6.Pelvic bone
(external angle of
the ilium) and
rump (view from
several angles)
not visible (or
slightly visible);
rump region
between ilium and
caudal vertebrae
filled with tissue
visible but not
pronounced; the
rump is slightly
depressed
between the ilium
and the caudal
visible but as a
jutting bone; rump is
a pronounced sunken
zone between the
ilium and the caudal
vertebrae = 0 points
7.Axillary fat
(immediately
behind joint of
humerus and
scapula)
8. Brisket fat
(between forelegs
at base of neck)
(and not forming a
depressed zone) = 2
points
the SQ contains a
thick handful of fat,
easily seized = 2
points
sternum well
padded with muscle
and fat; bone
neither visible nor
palpable = 2 points
9.Tail
vertebrae = 1
point
the SQ contains
some fat = 1
point
the skin thin and
little tissue palpable
beneath = 0 points
sternum not
visible but
palpable = 1
point
sternum both visible
and palpable = 0
points
fat and muscular,
not bony feeling
= 1 point
thin and bony, feels
stringy, individual
joints palpable = 0
points
Total
0 – 5 = emaciated condition
6 – 10 = average condition
11+ = very good condition (or fat)
a
Adapted from personal communication, Dr. V. Krishnamurthy, India, 2000. A version of this
table appears in Das, D. ed. 2003. Healthcare, Breeding and Management of Asian
Elephants. New Delhi, Project Elephant. Govt. of India. p.189.
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QUARANTINE GUIDELINES FOR ELEPHANTS
January 2012
Due to the size, strength, and social nature of elephants, it may be logistically difficult to
maintain isolation from other animals during arrival and quarantine. The Recommended
Preshipment Protocol for Elephants lists a comprehensive battery of tests to detect disease prior
to shipment. Since most zoological institutions will not have facilities available to safely house
and manage a newly arriving elephant, it is important that the receiving institution work closely
with the sending institution to ensure that all (or as many as possible) of the listed tests are
conducted and results reviewed. Following the preshipment protocol may help compensate for
some of the quarantine compromises that may be required. Regardless of preshipment test
results, every attempt should be made to maintain some degree of physical separation from the
resident elephants after arrival.
Current quarantine practices recommend a minimum 30-90 day quarantine period for most
species found in zoos and aquaria. Social concerns, physical facility design, and availability of
trained elephant staff may dictate a modified quarantine protocol. The final decision for specific
quarantine protocols at each institution should be made by the veterinary staff in consultation
with the elephant management staff. For additional information, refer to the Elephant Husbandry
Manual, AZA Quarantine Guidelines, and the AAZV Preventive Medicine Recommendations.
The following guidelines provide recommendations for minimum standards for elephant
quarantine.
1. Whenever possible, the newly arrived elephant should be maintained with physical
separation from all other resident elephants. This should include provisions to prevent
contact with feed, bedding, or feces/urine between animals. One option to allow social
interaction is to provide a “companion” and treat both animals as “quarantined”.
2. Initial visual assessment of the elephant, along with review of the medical records, to
determine health status should be used to develop an individual quarantine plan.
 Ideally, the recommended length of quarantine is a minimum of 30 days. However,
this may be changed in light of social concerns or detection of abnormal health status.
 Risk of disease transmission between animals should be balanced with the concern
for well being (physical, psychological, and social) of the elephant.
3. Quarantine procedures should be planned as soon as the elephant can be safely managed and
appears to be settling in the facility. They should include the following:
 Thorough physical examination including a review of all systems.
 Blood collection for CBC, serum chemistry panel, fibrinogen, serum protein
electrophoresis, and serum bank.
 Fecal collection for parasite screening should be done weekly for the first 3 weeks.
 Fecal cultures for Salmonella should be conducted at least weekly for the first 3
weeks.
See GUIDELINES FOR COMPREHENSIVE ELEPHANT HEALTH MONITORING
PROGRAM 2012 for complete list of procedures (www.aazv.org)

Any procedures that were not completed prior to transport or may have come due;
such as vaccination, serologic screening, or TB testing (see “Recommended Elephant
Preshipment Guidelines”).
4. Release from quarantine should be the decision of the veterinary staff (after completion
and review of results from any quarantine procedures), in conjunction with the
assessment of the elephant management staff.
It should be emphasized that the quarantine test requirements should be conducted regardless of
the preshipment testing. The stress of transport and quarantine may result in changes (for
example, Salmonella shedding) that were inapparent during testing at the sending institution.
Contact information:
Elephant SSP/TAG Veterinary Advisor
Michele Miller, DVM, PhD
Palm Beach Zoo
1301 Summit Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
W: 561-833-7130 ext 224; Cell: 561-727-9630; email: [email protected]