Citrus fruits, sugar cane, chopped vegetables, or the fruits of the marula tree when available, should be given daily as a treat. These are highly sought after by the elephants, and can later be used to lure the animals into and out of various situations. They are also used occasionally to assist in administering oral medication. When feeding large fruits such as citrus, these must first be halved or quartered to prevent 'choke' from occurring. In sour-veld areas they should be trained to return to a familiar area to obtain supplements in the form of pelleted cubes and good quality hay during the winter months.
Venipuncture sites Large veins are present on the posterior aspect of the ears.
These must be distinguished from arteries in the same area. Arteries are firm, thick-walled structures, and a distinct pulse can be palpated. Veins are thin-walled and soft. An alternative venipunture site is on the inside of the lower part of the hind limbs. Few viral diseases have been diagnosed in the elephants under our care at Skukuza.