Elephant shoe

Definition of Elephant shoe

From the elephant glossary Section: management tools

Elephant shoe from Wuppertal Zoo in Germany, 1973.

Elephant shoe used in National Zoo, Washington DC, USA

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In some situations, when an elephant suffer from foot sole and Osteology problems like Pododermitis Onychia, and theres a need for protection against dust, sand and dirt, protective devices as a shoe, boots or sandals, may be a solution. Also with some elephant who suffer from Arthritis a shoe may help reduce the pressure on the jonts.

In the past, such shoes were often made out of leather, which was not optimal in wet conditions, like when an elephant is washed, or take a bath in a pool.

Later models are therefore mostly made in a water resisting material.

From Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants, 2006 by Murray Fowler, Susan K. Mikota

Special boots or sandals have been constructed to protect the dermis, keep topical Medication on a lesion, provide ventilation, and deflect solid contaminants to keep the lesion reasonably clean (Fig. 20.16).25,66 Such devices must be accepted by the elephant and involve intensive care on the part of handlers. Elephants are not likely to leave a bandage on their Feet without constant
supervision by a handler.

Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants, 2006 by Murray Fowler, Susan K. Mikota

Note: Putting a shoe on an elephant increase the need for hygiene, the foot and the shoe has to be kept clean, and should be kept as dry as possible between daily washing of the elephant.

Reference list Koehl, Dan, (2024). Elephant shoe. Elephant Encyclopedia, available online retrieved 20 September 2021 at https://www.elephant.se/index.php?id=269. (archived at the Wayback machine)

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Categories glossary | management tools

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