Seeking Assent in Multispecies Research is Ethical Practice, But is It Possible? A Case Study of Asian Elephants in Nepal

Abstract This case study considers the need to seek assent from sentient animals involved in research, using Asian elephants as a cynosure. Elephants are intelligent, social, communicative, sentient beings with complex lives both in the wild and in captivity. However, elephants in captivity often face challenges due to social isolation, a lack of agency in their daily activities, and ongoing mental health issues resulting from traumatic experiences. Because captive elephants represent a marginalized community, especially where they are used in tourism practices throughout South-east Asia, obtaining their assent to participation in research is vital to ensuring their welfare is protected. Obtaining assent becomes even more important when considering that elephants used in tourism are rarely allowed agency in any part of their daily activities (including participation in husbandry practices). This case study evolved from a larger project in elephant-human interactions spanning over a decade. Information © The Author 2026