The Journal of Animal Consciousness Vol 1, Issue 2 Vol 1 Issue 2 | Page 34

stressful life events and thus should be carefully

stripped from their Mother’s and sent abroad for

considered.

human entertainment at zoos (Bradshaw & Lidner,

Shannon, Slotow, Durant, Sayialel.,

Poole, Moss and McComb (2013) studied African

n.d.).

elephants (Loxodonta africana) who were exposed

behavior entertaining the masses is a form of chronic

to the stress of separation from family members and

stress. This was the case, recently, for five young

translocation during a culling exercise.

Through

elephants who were captured from Hwange National

their playback experiments they found social skills

Park in Zimbabwe and sent to Chinese and United

were significantly impaired as a result of exposure to

Arab Emirates Zoos (J. Rodrigues, personal

these disruptive events (Shannon et al., 2013). The

communication, March 21st, 2015). Elephants have

fact that animals are used as models to understand

been known to experience deep emotions such as

the effects of trauma suggest that animals experience

grief (Bradshaw & Lidner, n.d.). Indeed, many of

pain and suffering as do humans. It is difficult to

these young elephants also witnessed their family’s

quantify these emotions as there is a animal - human

death either through capture or culling.

communication barrier.

Nonetheless, this research

suggests that males who witnessed herd culling have

itself is testament to the effects of trauma in animals.

a tendency towards bullying later in adulthood

Captivity is an unnatural existence for

(Bradshaw & Lidner, n.d.). It is believed that these

animals, particularly, large wild animals.

Unlike

Subjecting these animals to unnatural

Research

elephants have similar experiences to war veterans

natural disturbances elephants may experience in the

with PTSD.

Indeed, trauma of maternal separation

wild - a major difference is captivity restricts

and translocation leaves an indelible scar on the

movement and prevents escape. This decreases the

animal and human psyche (Bradshaw & Lidner, n.d.;

potential for self-preservation during times of fright

Dyb, 2005).

and therefore increases the potential for learned

Consequently, the question remains, is PTSD

helplessness and chronic stress. Unfortunately, zoos

prevalent in the animal world? It is a phenomenon

will often resort to physical force, pain, drugs and

that has been grossly neglected, predominantly in

deprivation to control these large beings (Bradshaw

the domesticated environment. Evidence of mood

& Lidner, n.d.). Additionally, captive herd animals

disorders resembling PTSD have been recorded in

such as elephants lack the familial cohesion that is

chimpanzee’s (Pan troglodytes).

part of elephant society.

Often elephants from

Durham, Kimwele, Kranendonk, Otali, Akugizibwe,

different herds and locations are lumped together.

Mulcahy, Ajarova and Johnson (1985) accessed case

Familial ties are broken resulting in depression and

reports of chimpanzees who had been subjected to

and herd discord. Indeed, young wild elephants are

traumatic events such as maternal separation, social

Ferdowsian,

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© The Society for Animal Consciousness 2016.

Issue 2, Vol 1, April 2016.