I. Overview

A. Elephants

UPDATE- OCTOBER 2007:
Tanzy died in August 2007 at the age of 49. In October 2007, Tanya was shipped to Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, leaving Abilene Zoo without elephants. However the Zoo has stated that it would like to expand the elephant exhibit and bring in new elephants in the future.

The Zoo has two African elephants — Tanzy (DOB 1958), and Tanya (DOB 1979). . The elephants do not get along, and there are serious aggression problems, mostly from Tanzy directed at Tanya. The two elephants fight through the bars of their cages when locked inside, and are rarely given access to the yard at the same time.

Tanzy, who was brought in from Oklahoma Zoo in 1998 as company for Tanya, has serious behavioral problems. She is aggressive toward Tanya, and sometimes toward the keepers. In October 2004, Tanzy refused to leave the barn and apparently remained in her stall for over four months. In March 2005, the Zoo put her on Xanax "to help her relax." (Read the Zoo's explanation at www.abilenetx.com/Zoo/news.) She is currently on a maintenance dose of 50 mg. of Xanax per day.

Tanzy also suffers from arthritis, which the Zoo began to treat after noticing that her aggressive behavior would "flare up during cold and especially rainy days." She is currently maintained on daily mega doses of Ibuprofen and also given a joint supplement called Glycoflex. She has also had foot problems, including broken nails, deep holes in her pads and "chronic irritation [on her feet] from water and urine pooling in floor."

Tanya also has serious aggression issues— tantrums, ramming door, throwing feces, and fighting with Tanzy. Records report Tanzy "beat up" Tanya (5/23/05), and Tanya being given break from Tanzy's aggression by being let outdoors. (7/6/05) She has broken tusks from ramming doors and fighting with Tanzy through fence. Tanya also has had beginning foot problems, nail conformation, thin wet rear pads. Beginning in April 2006, Tanya has had problems with abdominal swelling, bloat, and colic.

B. Exhibit Information

Barn: stall one 24 x 13.5, stall two 24X15 concrete
Yard: 190 X 90/60 (less than 1/2 acre) - "natural substrate"

A November 2004 Association of Zoos and Aquariums inspection noted that the floors of the barn were not sloped enough to allow urine and water to run off the floor "forcing the elephants to stand in moisture during the time they are in the barn."

A November 1, 2004 memo entitled "Elephant Observations" notes, "The roof leaks in several areas adding to to the water problem on the floor and dripping on elephants when they are locked in the barn."

"This week low temps are approaching freezing and we have no way to secure the barn for this weather." In fact, the barn is often extremely cold (one record entry reported the indoor temperature to be 19 degrees) and the elephants are frequently observed shivering.

The elephants are locked frequently locked indoors all day and night during fall and winter months due to cold temperatures.

C. Management

Protected Contact

A document entitled "Elephant Observations," (November 1, 2004) indicates serious management problems at the Zoo. It states in part:

• Control over the elephants is limited. ... Too limited.
• Staff exhibits careless management practices.
• Elephants are not conditioned to the target limiting the ability to achieve necessary behaviors.
• Tanzy sometimes will not leave the barn, requiring Tanya to be chained and the door closed. Then Tanya is brought through different door to exhibit and locked in elephant restraining device (ERD). Then keepers close the door to the barn and let Tanya move freely around the exhibit. Tanya has bent cylinders on the ERD. Tanzy can only go out when Tanya is secured in the barn. The same thing is required when Tanya is brought in.
• During this time that both elephants will be under extreme stress and normal behavior should not and cannot be expected. ...Although Tanzy has some reason for refusing to go out, she is also frustrated. Each day she has become a little more aggressive toward Tanya. I expect this frustration to continue to grow. We are dealing with psychological issues that we do not currently understand...

II. Medical Records Analysis

Tanzy
Female African
Est. 48 years (DOB ~1958)
Wild born
Sent to Abilene from Oklahoma on loan in October 1998

FEET AND JOINTS

Feb. 13, 2003: Left foot broken off part of nail.

Nov. 14, 2003: Deep hole in pad next to nail bed, treated by flushing lesion.

Dec. 10, 2003: Elephant on Glycoflex.

Dec. 10, 2003: Has lesion on foot — concern about thrush type lesion — secondary to "chronic irritation from water and urine pooling in floor of elephant floor."

April 1, 2004: Stiffness in left rear leg, would not bend and was favoring leg. Ankle swollen. Took 45 minutes to bring in off exhibit. Overnight animal seemed agitated, swaying and swishing tail.

April 2, 2004: Still stiff, doubling Glycoflex, also given banamine.

April 7, 2004: Still has lesion on rear foot.

April 28, 2004: Lame in left rear leg again

May 3, 2004: Banamine injection given for lameness.

May 5, 2004: Discontinue banamine. Maintain on Glycoflex to help control arthritis.

May 18, 2004: Aggression. "elephant off glycoflex for three days may be experiencing arthritic pain."

Sept. 1, 2004: Limping on left rear leg and in bad mood.

Nov. 14, 2004: Leg stiffness and irritable. Took swing at keeper two times.

Dec. 23, 2004: Shaking badly, especially on front legs. Very cold today but barn appears warm.

Jan. 2005: Given phenylbutazone.

Jan. 17, 2005: "Moving slowly today, a lot of noticeable creaking @ hind legs. Looks more drawn today."

Jan. 21, 2005: Put on Glycoflex — daily dose.

Feb. 2, 2005: Placed on 30,000 mg. Ibuprofen daily.

April 24, 2005: "Feet need a lot of work."

June 24, 2005: Ibuprofen dose increased to 37,600 mg/day.

Dec. 6, 2005: Ibuprofen dose raised 50% to 60,400 mg/day.

Jan. 2006: Ibuprofen decreased to 47,000 mg/day.

TUSK

Jan. 12, 2004: Animal is missing right tusk. Has been rubbing right side of jaw/mouth. Small abrasion found over left tusk.

Jan. 22, 2004: Lesions around sole on each rear foot

AGGRESSION/BEHAVIORAL

Oct. 14, 2002: Very aggressive toward Tanya and keeper in the morning.

Oct. 23, 2002: Very uncooperative, nervous. Would never face trainer during commands. Probable cause - arrival of new tigers last night.

Nov. 25, 2002: Very aggressive today.

Dec. 8, 2003: Elephants wouldn't go on exhibit initially due to commotion with tigers leaving.

Feb 5, 2004: Aggression, will charge keepers or swing trunk through bars.

March 9, 2004: Agitated and aggressive toward other elephant.

March 23, 2004: Elephant charged ERD when blood was being drawn from Tanya. Much disruption due to exhibit destruction and wind blowing.

June 15, 2004: Became upset, possibly due to teen volunteer group coming through. Threw branches into bird exhibit.

Aug. 24, 2004: Charged the ERD and broke part of the door

Sept. 1, 2004: Limping on left rear leg and in bad mood.

Aggression toward Tanya noted.
Sept. 2, 2004: "Hitting her and knocking her down."

Oct. 2, 2004: Tying to get her used to the ERD. She is refusing to leave barn.

Nov 14, 2004: Leg stiffness and irritable. Took swing at keeper 2 times.

Dec. 1, 2004: "Not shaking this a.m. Covered openings above door to stop draft."

Dec. 2, 2004: Refused to go out.

Dec. 15, 2004: Shivering this a.m. Refused to go out.

Dec. 20, 2004: Still inside. "She seems very jumpy at the slightest sound."

Dec. 22, 2004: Still inside. "shaking in warm barn."

Dec. 23, 2004: "Shivery/shaking front legs and head."

Dec. 24, 2004: "Shaking a lot today despite reasonably warm barn temp."

Dec. 28, 2004: "Still not going out. (Surprise, surprise!)"

Jan. 22, 2005: Still inside.

Jan. 27, 2005: Blood draw. Dr. Schmitt to "develop new plan for all aspects of Tanzy's life."

March 6, 2005: Very aggressive to keepers and Tanya.

March 8, 2005: "Very aggressive to Tanya when she tried to leave barn. Also aggressive to doors as they move." Placed on 100 mg. Xanax.

March 9, 2005: Xanax increased to 150 mg.

March 11, 2005: Went out and let into yard with Tanya for a few hours.

March 20, 2005:Xanax decreased to 50 mg.

March 25, 2005: Xanax 50 mg. given at 8:30 a.m. Refused to exit barn at 10 a.m. Given another 26 mg. at 10:15 a.m. Exited barn at 10:30. "Very nervous and rocking at let out. Threw feces on herself. Rubbed body along stall wall. Went out great after extra dose of Xanax"

April 21, 2005: Xanax now reduced to 54 mg. "Observed head bobbing at 3:15 p.m. (early for her) also aggression to Tanya."

May 19, 2005: "Very lethargic, bloodshot eyes, slow to take treats. Stood at staging area after let out with trunk on ground." Now on 26 mg. Xanax.

May 23, 2005: "Very grouchy today. Charged back barn door, threw dirt clods, chased Tanya, hesitant to go through ERD."

June 6, 2005: Xanax down to 10 mg. "Charging at Tanya more frequently. Hesitates coming into ERD from yard.

June 13, 2005: Xanax down to 2 mg. "Very uncooperative today, aggressive to keepers as well as Tanya. Threw rocks today and shook off her body in yard (like when she is mad.)"

June 14, 2005: Last day Xanax.

June 15, 2005: no Xanax in a.m. — didn't go outside.
40 mg. at 9:55 — still didn't go out, not responsive to commands.
30 mg. Noon — didn't go out, slightly more responsive.
30 mg. 1:58 — did kneel but kept feet in stall.
30 mg. 2:35 — exited barn at 3 p.m.
130 mg. total.

June 17, 2005: Give 100 mg. Xanax.

June 25, 2005: 100 mg. Xanax "much less aggressive today."

July 3, 2005: "Tanzy is very aggressive to Tanya in barn. Upon Tanya's let out, Tanzy pushed her up against black post and beat her."

July 8, 2005: Put up barrier between stalls to limit aggressive hitting to Tanya.

Aug. 20, 2005: 72 mg. Xanax — Still hesitant to go out.

Oct. 6, 2005: 60 mg. Xanax. "Very cold, rainy (high 50). Observed her shivering throughout the day.

Nov. 20, 2005: Xanax 48 mg. "Pulled Tanya a lot this afternoon.

Nov. 28, 2005: Xanax increased to 52 mg. due to "behavior issues."

Dec. 8, 2005: Barn frozen temp in barn 19 degrees this morning.

Feb. 2006: Maintenance dose of Xanax — 50 mg.

Feb. 27, 2006: "Charged Tanya while she was in kneel. Pushed Tanya into bars and hotwire."

BLOAT/COLIC

Jan. 30, 2004: Restless and uncomfortable. Abdomen seems bloated, decreased appetite. Stretching rear legs behind her or leaning on barn poles and stretching trunk out.

Feb. 1, 2004: Back to normal.

March 10, 2004: Listless and uncomfortable. Decreased appetite. Rocking back and forth lifting rear legs up alternately. Suspect colic or arthritis. Give banamine.

Tanya
27 years Wild caught

FEET/JOINTS

Nov. 8, 2003: Nail damage noted Right Rear Foot.

July 6, 2004: Feet reveal "definite signs of standing in excess water for extended periods of time."

March 30, 2005: Stiff in left rear leg.

April 24, 2005: Feet "need a lot of work."

TUSKS

Dec. 7, 2004: Broke off large piece of left tusk.

Dec. 25, 2004: Another chunk broke off tusk.

July 6, 2005: Broke tusk, crack 4 inches long.

Aug. 22, 2005: Broke of 2 in. X 3 in. piece of left tusk fence fighting.

Feb. 5, 2006: Broke off 8 1/4 oz. pc. off right tusk.

AGGRESSION/BEHAVIORAL

Oct. 19, 2002: Aggression toward keeper.

Oct. 2002: did not want to go outside. Aggressive toward keepers — knocked other ele down, "threw big fit inside house throwing feces, ramming doors."

Through 2002: irritable, aggressive, swinging at keeper.

Oct. 2004: Chained. Tanzy blocking access to outside — they had to cut hole in barn to let Tanya out.

Major aggression between elephants.

Jan. 28, 2005: Keeper tried to look at foot in the presence of Dr. Schmitt. Tanya took a swing at the keeper. Tried again with Dr. Schmitt not present, Tanya ok.

May 3, 2005: Cut on face from aggression between bars.

May 24, 2005: "Tanzy aggressive to Tanya but Tanya did great."

May 27, 2005: Tanzy charged Tanya two times.

May 31, 2005: Tanzy charged her.

June 20, 2005: Tanzy "beat up" Tanya.

June 21, 2005: "Very disobedient at let-out. Probably due to Tanzy beating her up yesterday."

July 6, 2005: Broke tusk, crack 4 inches long. "Overnight yard access to get a break from Tanzy's aggression."

July 8, 2005: New barrier put up between stalls to prevent Tanzy's aggression.

Aug. 22, 2005: Broke off 2 in. X 3 in. piece of left tusk fence fighting.

Dec. 11, 2005: Cut on skin right at right tusk most likely from bar fighting with Tanzy.

Feb. 5, 2006: Broke off 8 1/4 oz. pc. off right tusk.

BLOAT/COLIC

April 7, 2006: Given Naquasone Bolus indicating the start of abdominal swelling which will be mentioned for next month in records.

April 8, 2006: Condition same — swollen abdomen.

April 13, 2006: "Abdomen still very swollen."

April 16, 2006: "Seemed to be bothered by swelling was kicking at it quite a bid."

April 20, 2006: Fursemide given. Swelling is worse in the afternoon at let —in.
Swelling seems to have stopped at the end of April.

Sept. 21, 2006: "Not looking good. Lying down at left side on exhibit next to closed back door (flat out). JOB got her up but then started to lay back down after several minutes. Brought her in to barn at 11:30 a.m. She is bloated on both sides.

Treated with mineral oil through October 2006.

REPRO

March 9, 2005: Begin ultrasound training/desensitization.