ArticleAnimals : an open access journal from MDPI2021
Impact of Weight Carriage on Joint Kinematics in Asian Elephants Used for Riding.
Article in Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Inertial measurement unit-based characterization of gait patterns in Asian elephants: clinically sound elephants and elephants with gait abnormalities.Frontiers in veterinary science · 2026Article
- Article
- Variability of gait characteristics in lameness elephant.The Journal of veterinary medical science · 2023Article
- Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and international travel ban on elephant tourist camp management in northern Thailand.Frontiers in veterinary science · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundElephants in Thailand have changed their roles from working in the logging industry to tourism over the past two decades. In 2020, there were approximately 2700 captive elephants participating in activities such as riding and trekking. During work hours, riding elephants carry one or two people in a saddle on the back with a mahout on the neck several hours a day and over varying terrain. A concern is that this form of riding can cause serious injuries to the musculoskeletal system, although to date there have been no empirical studies to determine the influence of weight carriage on kinematics in elephants.
methodsEight Asian elephants from a camp in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, aged between 21 and 41 years with a mean body mass of 3265 ± 140.2 kg, were evaluated under two conditions: walking at a normal speed without a saddle and with a 15% body mass load (saddle and two persons plus additional weights). Gait kinematics, including the maximal angles of fore- and hindlimb joints, were determined using a novel three-dimensional inertial measurement system with wireless sensors.
resultsThere were no statistical differences between movement angles and a range of motion of the fore- and hindlimbs, when an additional 15% of body mass was added.
conclusionThere is no evidence that carrying a 15% body mass load causes significant changes in elephant gait patterns. Thus, carrying two people in a saddle may have minimal effects on musculoskeletal function. More studies are needed to further test longer durations of riding on different types of terrain to develop appropriate working guidelines for captive elephants. Nevertheless, elephants appear capable of carrying significant amounts of weight on the back without showing signs of physical distress.
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