A social study looking into the welfare of elephants in captivity has found that good social lives and a stimulating environment are more important than extra space.

Limited exhibit space has previously been raised as a concern for the animals, which in the wild roam for up to 50 miles (80km) a day.

But the first-of-its kind study, published in the journal PLOS One, found no link between exhibit size and the key indicators of poor elephant welfare – obesity, reproduction problems or “stereotypical behavior,” such as repetitive rocking or swaying.

The study, which analysed the data of 255 elephants across 68 AZA-accredited zoos in North America, found that elephants that were able to walk more each day in larger enclosures were no less likely to be obese than their sedentary counterparts.

Additionally, total elephant habitat sizes – ranging from 7,700sq ft (715sqm) to 347,000sq ft (32,200sq m) – didn’t necessarily match up to space used, with researchers also creating a ‘space experience’ measure, which ranged from 1,200sq ft (111.4sq m) to 170,000sq ft (15,800sq m).

The study found that quality of space was much more important for elephant wellbeing than amount of space. Environments with diverse enrichment activities, such as hanging or hidden food, were more closely linked to improved lifestyle, while factors such as hard floors were linked with musculo-skeletal and foot problems, which the report said could lead to sleep deprivation.

A large stable and diverse social group was also a major factor in wellbeing according to the report, which said that elephants inhabiting these sort of groups would be less likely to show negative repetitive behaviours such as rocking or swaying.

Because of these strong social links, elephants that have been transferred to multiple locations are more likely to show repetitive behaviours, with the report pointing to the disruption in social life with respect to social bonds with other elephants and their human keepers.

“Looking ahead, we envision future studies that build upon this model by refining the metrics we have presented, incorporating additional and emerging measures of animal welfare, and integrating experimental components to further elucidate the complex and important connections between the daily lives of zoo animals and their physical and psychological states,” said the study.

“The results of these studies provide a strong starting point for additional experimental work as they point clearly toward several aspects of housing and management that were found to be strongly associated with the welfare of zoo elephants. Importantly, many of the variables highlighted by this research are modifiable, and can be monitored to determine if the predicted effects on welfare outcomes are subsequently achieved.”

To read the full report, click here.