Trunk Wash Training in African Elephants ( Loxodonta Africana )

Abstract The behaviour of a “trunk wash” for an elephant is used in captivity as a routine procedure for in-house monitoring for tuberculosis (TB) and pre-transfer health checks. Any animal training within a zoological institution should have a net welfare benefit to the animal. By training an elephant to voluntarily take part in this procedure, it will benefit the animal’s welfare by reducing stress and the need for sedation to obtain the sample. It will also greatly reduce the safety risk to the elephant and staff involved. This case study describes the training of one female African elephant that is in a protected contact management system, whereby the keeper and animal interaction is carried out with a barrier in between, learning to take part in a voluntary trunk wash. It will also cover the training plan and considerations required before carrying out the training. Information © The Author 2025