Sun Apr 13 07:36:40 UTC 2025: ## Barcelona Zoo Pioneers Geriatric Care for Aging Elephants
**Barcelona, Spain** – The Barcelona Zoo is leading the way in geriatric care for aging animals, providing specialized treatment for its elderly elephant residents, Susi and Bully. This reflects a broader shift in zoological practices, moving away from simply exhibiting animals towards prioritizing lifelong care and conservation.
Susi, at 52, is one of the oldest known African elephants in captivity, and Bully, at 40, is also considered elderly. Following the death of their companion, Yoyo, the zoo is conducting a unique study on the impact of loss on the pair’s social dynamics. Initial signs of distress, such as refusal to eat, have subsided, with Susi and Bully now exhibiting increased mutual support.
The zoo’s approach to geriatric care includes daily health checks, specially adapted diets to accommodate worn teeth (a key indicator of age in elephants), and even daily pedicures to ease aching feet. Their enclosure features a soft sandy floor to further cushion their aging legs.
Martín Zordan, CEO of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), emphasizes the growing importance of specialized geriatric care for animals, mirroring the needs of elderly humans. This includes regular health checks, arthritis treatment, nutritional supplements, adapted living spaces, and mental and behavioral health monitoring.
The Barcelona Zoo’s commitment to the well-being of its older animals aligns with a global trend among zoos towards conservation and education, highlighting the importance of providing dignified lives for animals under their care, even in their twilight years. Similar programs are already in place at zoos in the United States, such as those in Baltimore and Baton Rouge. The Barcelona Zoo’s initiative, coupled with its research collaboration with the University of Barcelona, contributes valuable insights into the complex needs of aging elephants.
First Piper 