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August 23, 2026Zoo Biology

Age‐Associated Differences and Rearing Strategy‐Related Alterations in the Gut Microbiome of Captive African Elephants ( Loxodonta africana )

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Authors

YDYujing DuanJLJiangtao LiZLZixuan Li

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Overview

Observational study reveals age-related microbial shifts and formula-associated dysbiosis in captive African elephants, highlighting key targets to improve calf rearing practices.

Key Points

  • To assess age-associated variations in the gut microbiome of captive African elephants and explore how different rearing strategies, particularly formula feeding, alter microbial composition.
  • Profiled fecal microbial communities using 16S rRNA gene sequencing alongside clinical evaluations in 17 captive African elephants (calves: breastfed n = 3, formula-fed n = 2; adults n = 12).
  • Conducted comparative taxonomic and diversity analyses across age groups and performed exploratory assessments on formula-fed calves.
  • Healthy adult elephants exhibited higher overall microbial diversity than breastfed calves, with communities predominantly dominated by the fiber-fermenting phylum Bacteroidota.
  • Exploratory profiling of formula-fed calves demonstrated pronounced compositional shifts, marked by depleted Bacteroidota and Lachnospiraceae and enriched Gammaproteobacteria, co-occurring with clinical diarrhea and growth failure.

Cite This Study

Duan et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8aade47677a341144465c3https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70101
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Development of gut microbiota composition in captive Asian elephants: a year-long analysis2026
  2. 2Livestock exposure, seasonal diet shifts, host individual and time correlate with wild African savannah elephant gut microbiome diversity2026
  3. 3Exploring the gut microbiota of healthy captive Asian elephants from various locations in Yunnan, China2024 · 5 citations
  4. 4Impact of social media-driven feeding practices on the gut microbiome of captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Surin, Thailand2026
  5. 5Gut microbiota and metabolic status during pregnancy in captive Asian elephants2026