If, for instance, an elephant seeks physical contact to another elephant
and is prevented from doing so due to being chained
up, it may react by displaying stereotypic behaviour. The elephant
will begin weaving and will continue to do so until it has reached its
goal, i.e. until it is able to touch the other elephant, or until distracted
by a new stimulus. If it is not allowed to satisfy this key stimulus
either, the circle of disappointment begins again and the elephant may
degenerate to a sad, frustrated creature.
The healthy appearance and the natural
behaviour of elephants is usually a clear indication that their needs
are being met.
Aberrant behaviour patterns in zoo and circus elephants can also be
the effect of an environment that does not challenge them to keep active
or where there is a lack of stimuli.
Elephants in zoos and circuses lack the everyday challenges of life
in the wild. Avoiding predators and the search for food
and water are key stimuli which do not
exist in zoos or in the circus. This is why it is important to keep
elephants busy in an appropriate manner and to provide them with a sense