Pears, Pressure-Wave Therapy, and Massages: Helping Irene Live Her Best Life
In this senior care spotlight, learn about Irene’s new weekly massages and other treatments she receives to keep her comfortable.
At nearly 60 years old, Irene the elephant knows what she likes, and pears are high on the list. So is the weekly massage she receives from her care team at the ABQ BioPark.
Irene is the fourth oldest Asian elephant in any AZA zoo in the nation. As she gets older, the massages help support her muscles and joints and keep her moving comfortably. Her care team noticed that she appears to walk and move more easily after a session, making massages one of the ways the team adapts her care as her needs change.
When it is time for a treatment, Irene moves into position and allows her care team to work on her muscles and joints. She remains awake and alert, often snacking on pears throughout the session. Irene is free to walk away at any time, but most weeks, she chooses to stay.
Her participation reflects years of trust and positive reinforcement training. Irene has learned to comfortably present different parts of her body for examinations and treatments, allowing veterinarians and her care team to provide hands-on care while she remains engaged in the process.
Irene is also treated with acoustic pressure-wave therapy to address arthritis and mobility concerns, which naturally occurs in old age. The treatment delivers sound waves to targeted areas of the body to increase circulation and support natural tissue repair.
Bringing the therapy into Irene’s care required research, training, and close attention to how she responded. The BioPark team continues to evaluate treatment options that may help older elephants remain comfortable and active, while keeping each animal’s individual needs at the center of every decision.
Today, Irene remains in good health for her age. Her massage sessions and pressure-wave treatments offer a visible look at the care she receives, but a lot of Irene’s care happens in the small moments. Her caregivers watch for subtle changes in how she walks and behaves, adjust her routine when needed and rely on the trust they’ve built with her to make exams and treatments easier.
“Irene tells us a great deal through her behavior, and her participation helps guide the care we provide,” said Amber Alink, elephant and primate curator at ABQ BioPark. “Our goal is to give her the support she needs to remain comfortable, mobile, and engaged as she ages.”
The knowledge the team has gained while caring for Irene may also help shape care for other elephants as they grow older. For Irene, growing older comes with expert care, familiar faces and, whenever possible, a pear or two.