Blackpool Zoo has been using coloured edible glitter to identify female elephant dung and help determine whether or not they are pregnant. Three female Asian elephants, Tara, Noorjahan, and Esha, have consumed food containing different colours of edible glitter to assist zookeepers in identifying their faeces. The dung collection is under a recommendation from the European Endangered Species Programme to track the females’ reproductive cycles, occurring every 13 to 16 weeks, and to ascertain pregnancy.
Stool samples are collected twice a week and sent to a research laboratory at Chester Zoo for hormone analysis. This initiative is part of the zoo’s Project Elephant, aimed at preserving the endangered Asian elephant species, listed as endangered on the IUCN red list since 1986.
The zoo's section head expressed anticipation for the results from the recent samples, expected in the coming weeks. The use of edible glitter to track hormone levels has been a successful method in various animal investigations. The collaboration with Chester Zoo in faecal endocrinology research is crucial in the global effort to protect and conserve these majestic animals.
Project Elephant Base Camp, the UK’s largest indoor elephant house, caters to the welfare needs of the elephants. The facility houses Kate, Minbu, Noorjahan, Tara, Esha, and Emmett, the zoo’s first male elephant. The zoo aims to breed more Asian elephants through the care and management of the six elephants.
The Asian elephant population has significantly declined due to habitat loss, degradation, and poaching. Blackpool Zoo is dedicated to contributing to the conservation of this species through research and collaborative efforts.
