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| AZA STANDARD FOR ELEPHANT MANAGEMENT AND CARE While outdoors, all elephants must have access to shade during daylight hours in temperatures above 80 degrees and when they are exposed to direct sunlight. (1.1.2.) While outdoors and weather permitting, elephants must have regular access to a water source, such as a pool, waterfall, misters/sprinklers, or wallow that provides enrichment and allows the animals to cool and / or bathe themselves. (1.5.1.) Institutions must provide an opportunity for each elephant to exercise and interact socially with other elephants. (2.2.4.) Zoos should make every effort to maintain elephants in social groupings. It is inappropriate to keep highly social female elephants singly. Institutions should strive to hold no less than three female elephants wherever possible. All new exhibits and major renovations must have the capacity to hold three or more female elephants. (2.3.1.) Indoor space must provide adequate room for animals to move about and lie down without restriction. A minimum of 400 sq. ft is required for a single animal, approximately 800 sq. ft for two animals, and so on. (1.4.1.) Outdoor yards must have at least 1,800 sq. ft for a single adult individual and an additional 900 sq. ft must be added for each additional animal. If this space is the only location for exercise, then it is recommended that the space per elephant should be even greater. (1.4.2.) |
| BIRMINGHAM ZOO'S ASIAN ELEPHANT - MONA No shade in outside yard No pool, waterfall, or wallow in outside yard Mona has been the sole elephant at The Birmingham Zoo since January 31, 2005. Mona has been the sole elephant at The Birmingham Zoo since January 31, 2005. Birmingham Zoo has capacity for two elephants. Mona's indoor space is estimated to be 400 sq. ft. Mona's outdoor yard is estimated to be 1,000 sq. ft. |
| Treasuring the LIFE in Wildlife |
| American Zoological and Aquarium Association Standards |
| VS |
| Mona's Situation at the Birmingham Zoo |
| (Dr. Bill Foster, CEO of Birmingham Zoo, Inc., is the recent past President of the AZA.) |
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