Foot Diseases in Captive Elephant

A total of 312 captive elephants of the eastern India were studied for various kinds of foot affections during 2003–2005 and fourteen different types of foot affections were recorded with half of elephant population of the region affected with foot diseases in their life. Males were more vulnerable because of their low tolerance for foot care particularly during the period of musth. Hind limbs were more susceptible and lesions were also severe in the hind limbs. Advancing age made the elephants more susceptible. Remarkably higher percentage of privately owned elephants were affected with foot affections. A host of bacteria and fungi were isolated from foot lesions. Unidentified mites and filarial worms were also isolated from foot lesions. Most of the Kari (septic pododermatitis) cases began after incarceration for musth or rainy season. Moist substrate was worse in terms of foot health of captive elephants.