Conservation and Science Program
The Zoo understands that saving Asian elephants cannot be accomplished by a single organization. This great undertaking requires strong and effective partnerships among key players. Because of its existing relations with U.S. and foreign governments, non-governmental organizations, and major academic and zoological institutions in elephant range countries, the Zoo is uniquely positioned to spearhead efforts that will improve life for Asian elephants in zoos and save them in the wild.
The National Zoo’s program builds on decades of experience studying Asian elephants. 
Leaders in Asian Elephant Science and Conservation
The three pillars of our conservation and science program are:
- Advancing conservation of wild Asian elephants through scientific excellence.
- Improving care and management of elephants via zoo-based research.
- Training and mentoring the next generation of elephant experts.
Advancing Conservation of Wild Asian Elephants
To help secure a future for elephants, we need to learn much more about wild Asian elephants and their habitats. For this reason, we are expanding three of our major programs:
Tracking Asian Elephants Using Satellite Technology
Our international satellite-tracking program is helping to determine:
- How elephants move and how much space elephant populations need.
- How to plan elephant conservation and land-use to stop the killing of elephants that encounter conflicts with farmers over crops.
- The best areas for elephant conservation in Asia.
Mitigating People-Elephant Conflict
People and elephants have coexisted in Asia for thousands of years. However, dramatic changes in how people interact with land and elephants have caused a significant increase in people-elephant conflicts. To help solve this problem, we are:
- Working with Asian leaders to implement land-use strategies that will reduce conflict between wild elephants and farmers.
- Developing tools for managing and protecting Asian elephants in areas that are threatened by agricultural conversion.
Advancing Research in Elephant Genetics and Population Biology
In general, scientists know little about the size and structure of wild elephant populations and the genes that are necessary for survival. Combining non-invasive genetic techniques with satellite tracking and other methods, we are working with our local partners to conduct vital research about Asian elephant population biology and genetics. We are:
- Developing novel, rapid, and inexpensive non-invasive genetic methods for identifying individual elephants and monitoring populations.
- Identifying genes that can help us manage health threats to elephants at zoos and in the wild.
- Conducting ancient DNA analyses to determine how past genetic structure can inform current management strategies.
- Using genetic tools to map the social structure and behavior of wild Asian elephants.
Improving Care and Management of Elephants
Elephants in human care have a major role to play in the long-term conservation of Asian elephants. As many as 30 percent of all living Asian elephants reside in human care in camps. The numbers of these elephants in Asia—about 15,000—far exceeds the 600 individuals living in western zoos. To ensure a healthy future for zoo and camp elephants, we are:
Increasing Reproduction and Health of Elephants in North America
Collectively, our reproductive physiologists, along with our veterinarians, pathologists, geneticists, and nutritionists are:
- Identifying factors that affect animal health and fitness and link those results to a detailed assessment of what causes stress in elephants and how it can be reduced.
- Increasing breeding success for Asian elephants through hormone studies and research about assisted reproductive techniques.
- Providing diagnostic services and support for breeding programs to zoos nationwide with our laboratories.
- Developing novel diagnostic tools for detection of elephant pathogens.
- Developing diet and exercise protocols that will increase the health and reproduction of Zoo elephants.
- Developing new diagnostic and treatment tools against the deadly elephant herpes virus.
- Advancing our well-developed veterinary treatments for major elephant diseases and health problems such as herpes, TB, arthritis, and infections.
Improving Management of Camp Elephants in Range Countries
To help improve the health and well-being of working elephants in Asia, we are:
- Training veterinarians in Asia.
- Applying our laboratory techniques to better understand the health of free-ranging elephants.
- Reducing the threats posed by diseases such as tuberculosis and the herpes virus.
Studying the Behavior of Zoo and Wild Elephants
Although scientists are very familiar with the interaction and communication of African elephants, they know almost nothing about Asian elephant sociality. Elephant Trails, the new elephant exhibit at the National Zoo, will provide scientists with unparalleled opportunities to study elephant behavior, including female interactions, cow/calf relationships, bull behavior, cognition, mate choice, and more. This research will help us to:
- Create the best social and physical environment for healthy Zoo elephants.
- Understand how elephants use infrasound communication and use this knowledge to increase opportunities for interactions among our elephants.
Training the Next Generation of Elephant Experts
The training and mentorship of future scientists and conservationist are among the National Zoo’s greatest strengths. Species are not saved by individuals, but by groups of scientists, managers, and the general public. Training future leaders in science and conservation is one of our most effective conservation tools. The National Zoo has already begun developing three training and mentorship programs to provide support for aspiring elephant experts from the U.S. and Asia.
- Pre- and post-graduate fellowships
- Elephant veterinary training workshops
- Asian elephant professional internships in Zoo research departments
