Terra Natura Benidorm has unveiled a groundbreaking new training approach for its resident elephants, marking a significant step forward in ethical wildlife care and veterinary collaboration. The initiative eliminates the need for physical restraints during medical procedures, placing animal welfare and cooperation at the heart of the process.
Spearheaded by veterinary zoologist and ethologist Ana Alejandra Arroyo, founder of the animal behaviour consultancy Yolcati, the new method forms part of a broader preventative medicine and welfare strategy being implemented across the park.
Rather than relying on force or sedation, the technique centres on voluntary participation from the elephants, using visual and verbal cues alongside positive reinforcement — often in the form of fresh fruit — to encourage engagement in their healthcare.
Two key exercises form the foundation of this innovative training. The first involves the elephant voluntarily placing its foot through a specially designed opening, allowing for painless cleaning and close examination without the stress of restraint. The second exercise encourages postural correction, with the elephant gently leaning its hindquarters against padded bars to facilitate safe and cooperative blood draws.
“These are not just tricks — they are carefully developed protocols rooted in ethology and trust,” Arroyo explained. “The goal is to invite the animal to become an active participant in its health, in a way that is respectful, calm, and stress-free.”
The programme is not limited to elephants. Terra Natura’s veterinary and animal care teams undergo continuous training under Yolcati’s guidance, learning species-specific handling and welfare protocols for a wide array of animals, ranging from storks and gibbons to tigers, rhinoceroses, and even macaws. These protocols aim to ensure animals collaborate voluntarily during medical checks, reducing stress and enhancing their overall quality of life.
This philosophy of cooperative care is now a cornerstone of Terra Natura’s management model. According to the park, each quiet moment of trust — each step an animal takes on its own — affirms the belief that a more humane, conscious, and sustainable form of wildlife management is not only possible but already underway.
As global scrutiny intensifies around the treatment of animals in human care, Terra Natura’s pioneering techniques could serve as a model for zoological institutions worldwide. Through patient training, professional dedication, and a profound respect for animal autonomy, the park is quietly reshaping the future of wildlife care — one gentle gesture at a time.
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