Feed management and health condition of Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in Conservation Response Unit (CRU), Tangkahan, Langkat, North Sumatra

Abstract

The present study investigates the feeding management and health condition of elephants through a descriptive and field observation approach by interviewing the mahouts and clinical workers in Tangkahan CRU, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra. The ex-situ conservation unit promoted two feeding strategies namely the natural or grazing activity in the forest and additional feed (food stocks) collected or purchased by the workers in the form of coconut fronds, elephant grasses, bananas, watermelons, and etc. In addition to the collected fruits or crops, the CRU workers also prepared concentrates or pudding made from a mixture of palatable crops including rice, sticky rice, green beans, sugars to increase the food supply for the elephants. The clinical workers in the form of Vesswic is a team of veterinarians, paramedics and administrative personnel who focus on animal health including the Sumatran elephants. The Tangkahan CRU was then proven to promote the welfare of elephants through a series of effective feeding and health management.