Eggert said working with zoo elephants was indispensable to her own research achievements.
Much understanding about animal biology and behaviour, such as forms of communication and patterns
of reproduction, have been based on research opportunities that would be difficult or impossible in the
world, Eggert explained. “There are a lot of strong beliefs out there, but now we need real, objective
data on what captive elephants need,” said Mason. “Only then,” she added, “can we judge whether
zoos can ever reliably keep these animals well.