Monitoring Thermoregulation Patterns in Asian Elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>) in Winter Months in Southwestern Ontario Using Infrared Thermography
Given the current and future threats to Asian elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>), maintaining a sustainable ex situ population is crucial for the longevity of the species. Using Infrared Thermography (IRT), thermoregulation of Asian elephants at low ambient temperatures was examined. The...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/4/2/26 |
| _version_ | 1797593946901184512 |
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| author | Janel Lefebvre Charlie Gray Taryn Prosser Amy Chabot |
| author_facet | Janel Lefebvre Charlie Gray Taryn Prosser Amy Chabot |
| author_sort | Janel Lefebvre |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Given the current and future threats to Asian elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>), maintaining a sustainable ex situ population is crucial for the longevity of the species. Using Infrared Thermography (IRT), thermoregulation of Asian elephants at low ambient temperatures was examined. Thermal images were taken at 15 min intervals over 60–90-min observation periods, once weekly, during January and February 2022. A total of 374 images were examined from 10 Asian elephants, which varied from 1 to 56 years of age. Data from thermograms of the ear and body were interpreted in view of weight, age and behavior. Variability in surface temperature was found most frequently in the ears, occasionally presenting as thermal windows—areas with dense underlying blood supply that aid in heat exchange. Thermal windows occurred most frequently in the distal, then medial, regions of the ear. The pattern of appearance of thermal windows in the ear provides support that the increase of blood flow is utilized as a method of warming. This preliminary study provides key insight into Asian elephant thermoregulation, suggesting that the species may be more well-adapted to lower ambient temperatures than previously thought. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:15:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cbfecf930f324aafad5e731c62b79a9b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-5636 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:15:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens |
| spelling | doaj.art-cbfecf930f324aafad5e731c62b79a9b2023-11-18T11:12:33ZengMDPI AGJournal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens2673-56362023-04-014231232410.3390/jzbg4020026Monitoring Thermoregulation Patterns in Asian Elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>) in Winter Months in Southwestern Ontario Using Infrared ThermographyJanel Lefebvre0Charlie Gray1Taryn Prosser2Amy Chabot3African Lion Safari, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S2, CanadaAfrican Lion Safari, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S2, CanadaAfrican Lion Safari, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S2, CanadaAfrican Lion Safari, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S2, CanadaGiven the current and future threats to Asian elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>), maintaining a sustainable ex situ population is crucial for the longevity of the species. Using Infrared Thermography (IRT), thermoregulation of Asian elephants at low ambient temperatures was examined. Thermal images were taken at 15 min intervals over 60–90-min observation periods, once weekly, during January and February 2022. A total of 374 images were examined from 10 Asian elephants, which varied from 1 to 56 years of age. Data from thermograms of the ear and body were interpreted in view of weight, age and behavior. Variability in surface temperature was found most frequently in the ears, occasionally presenting as thermal windows—areas with dense underlying blood supply that aid in heat exchange. Thermal windows occurred most frequently in the distal, then medial, regions of the ear. The pattern of appearance of thermal windows in the ear provides support that the increase of blood flow is utilized as a method of warming. This preliminary study provides key insight into Asian elephant thermoregulation, suggesting that the species may be more well-adapted to lower ambient temperatures than previously thought.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/4/2/26infrared thermography<i>Elephas maximus</i>thermal windowsagebehaviorweight |
| spellingShingle | Janel Lefebvre Charlie Gray Taryn Prosser Amy Chabot Monitoring Thermoregulation Patterns in Asian Elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>) in Winter Months in Southwestern Ontario Using Infrared Thermography Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens infrared thermography <i>Elephas maximus</i> thermal windows age behavior weight |
| title | Monitoring Thermoregulation Patterns in Asian Elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>) in Winter Months in Southwestern Ontario Using Infrared Thermography |
| title_full | Monitoring Thermoregulation Patterns in Asian Elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>) in Winter Months in Southwestern Ontario Using Infrared Thermography |
| title_fullStr | Monitoring Thermoregulation Patterns in Asian Elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>) in Winter Months in Southwestern Ontario Using Infrared Thermography |
| title_full_unstemmed | Monitoring Thermoregulation Patterns in Asian Elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>) in Winter Months in Southwestern Ontario Using Infrared Thermography |
| title_short | Monitoring Thermoregulation Patterns in Asian Elephants (<i>Elephas maximus</i>) in Winter Months in Southwestern Ontario Using Infrared Thermography |
| title_sort | monitoring thermoregulation patterns in asian elephants i elephas maximus i in winter months in southwestern ontario using infrared thermography |
| topic | infrared thermography <i>Elephas maximus</i> thermal windows age behavior weight |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-5636/4/2/26 |
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