Faecal Testosterone Concentration in Sri Lankan Bull Elephants During Musth

We evaluated the use of non-invasive faecal testosterone analysis to differentiate between musth and non musth in captive Asian elephants. Twenty male elephants were studied, including five in 'musth' from the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (PEO), five privately owned males in musth, and 10 males not in musth from the PEO. Musth was identified by temporal gland swelling and urine dribbling. Faecal samples were collected and analysed using a 125I testosterone radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit. Faecal testosterone levels in elephants in musth were significantly higher than those not in musth but were not different between PEO and privately owned elephants in musth.