A Polish Zoo Is Using CBD To Treat Stressed Elephants

Zookeepers at Warsaw Zoo have announced plans start treating their herd of elephants with cannabidiol (CBD) in order to help them deal with the stress and grief of losing their alpha female earlier this year. CBD is currently used by many people around the world as a medication for anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pain management and a range of other physical and emotional issues, yet its use in animals remains largely unexplored. Elephants are known for their emotional intelligence and sensitivity, and their tendency to mourn the death of their kin is well documented. They are also matriarchal, which means that the elder females in the herd generally act as leaders, providing direction and comfort to younger elephants. Sadly, Warsaw Zoo lost its elder female, Erna, in March of this year, and the three remaining elephants have been displaying signs of grief and depression ever since. Zookeepers are particularly worried about a young elephant named Fredzia, who they say has been heavily affected by Erna’s death. Handlers at the zoo have measured levels of a stress hormone called cortisol in the blood, saliva and faeces of the elephants, and are now planning to start administering CBD to the three members of the herd, beginning with Fredzia. They will continue to monitor cortisol levels in order to determine if the cannabinoid helps to reduce the animals’ stress levels. CBD and large animals The use of CBD as a treatment for farm animals is a fairly controversial topic, as hardly any…

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Source : seedman
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