The primary food source is native and cultivated grasses. Some elephants will eat tree branches (primarily African elephants) all will be supplemented daily with fruits, vegetables, grains, nutritional and digestive aids as well as medications prescribed by our extensive veterinary team. The exact volume of supplementation will vary with the health of the individual and availability of pasture grasses for grazing. It is vital for the elephant’s recovery and return to a more natural state of living, to provide ample space to graze and forage as they would in the wild for up to 20 hours each day. This slow methodical grazing and searching for the most palatable grasses, provides psychological stimulation, allowing their bodies to return to a natural way of functioning, improving GI health and adequate wear on their molars. GI health compromise and malocclusion of their molars are two of the top factors that negatively impact captive elephant health. As proven by our model sanctuaries, returning the elephants to a natural diet and method of ingestion has an immediate positive impact on their health.