Longleat elephant keepers take their expertise to Thailand
Staff from the Wiltshire attraction are helping to protect Asian elephants
Keepers from Wiltshire's Longleat safari park have travelled to Thailand to pass on their expertise and help protect Asian elephants.
They've joined renowned veterinary osteopath, Tony Nevin, in delivering workshops in Thailand for people who care for elephants around the world.
Longleat has been home to Anne the elephant since 2011, after she was rescued from a circus.
She's the oldest Asian elephant in Europe, and thought to be among the five eldest elephants in the world.
Due to her previous life, she suffers from a series of health and welfare issues including chronic arthritis in her back legs.
Tony has been treating 69 year old Anne ever since she arrived at Longleat to improve her mobility and reduce her discomfort.
He's now sharing his skills to help treat other rescued elephants worldwide and provide guidance and advice for the people who care for them.
His techniques and advice will now be used by vets and animal rescue groups across Asia, to minimise discomfort among many more rescued elephants and help them live healthier, happier lives.
Longleat’s Head of Animal Operations, Darren Beasley said:
“Anne is hugely intelligent and renowned for being quite the character by all who are lucky enough to spend time with her.
“It is a privilege to have been entrusted with her care and we’re so pleased that, with Tony’s help, we can share the learning and techniques honed at Longleat to provide vital support for her species across the world.
Longleat has joined forces with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the World Elephant Day Foundation to help secure better outcomes for elephants across the world.
They’re calling on the public to write to their MPs asking the government to support the conservation of elephants and promote high-welfare conditions for elephants in human care around the world.
Dr Jo Judge, CEO of BIAZA said:
"We are proud that our member safari parks such as Longleat are world-leaders in elephant care.
"The dedicated work of Tony and the Longleat keepers is a brilliant example of this - sharing the knowledge and skills they have in caring for Anne, can go on to support elephants all across the world.
“Together we are fighting for a world where elephants thrive both in human care and in the wild."