Absence of synchronization either in defaecation or urination of the Sri Lankan elephants(Elephas maximus maximus) in captivity

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to examine whether synchronization in defaecation is present in the Sri Lankan elephant as is reported for the African elephants. The other secondary aims were to investigate whether such a phenomenon exists with respect to urination and to obtain baseline data related to these two phenomena. The study was conducted at the National Zoological Gardens of Sri Lanka using eight captive elephants. The results show that there is no synchronization either in defaecation or in urination. Furthermore, the study shows that the Sri Lankan elephant, in captivity, defaecates approximately 13 times per day, each episode lasting for about 33 sec. About 5 faecal boluses are passed at each defaecation episode and each single bolus weighted approximately 1.5kg. Amoung the parameters monitored and computed, a gender defference was seen only in the weight of the boluses, where the weight was significantly lower in the females in comparison to the males. On the other hand, the elephants urinated approximately 10 times per day, each episode having a mean duration of about 22 sec.