For many years people have fought against the testing of chemicals on animals. Now in a twist, a Polish Zoo will trial a course of CBD oil on their elephant Fredzia.
Sadly Fryderyka, also known as Fredzia has been suffering from stress since March 2020, so the keepers wanted to intervene now with what will be a first in zoology.
The young elephant at Warsaw Zoo, Fredzia is three and has been suffering from anxiety and stress after its elephant friend Erna, passed away in March, prompting a dramatic behaviour change.
The Zoo in Poland’s capital has a proactive rehabilitation centre which is happy to try new techniques for improving and maintaining the health of its animals.
They will introduce CBD oil to Fredzia as the use of it has been shown to alleviate mental health issues. Increasing production of Serotonin and Dopamine, which are chemicals related to pleasure and wellbeing, CBD oil is being used as an alternative to standard Anti-depressants.
The Endocannabinoid system is targetted by the CBD, which balances homeostasis in the body, reducing unwanted effects such as stress, insomnia and anxiety. The use of CBD products has increased tenfold with many high street shops selling products containing the chemical.
Sadly elephants are prone to stress, and this can be seen in the wild as they mourn the loss of family members. It is hoped the trial of CBD on Fredzia will be successful, and not be the last animal to benefit from using the substance.
Simon Manthorpe, CEO of Eos Scientific, a CBD oil testing service said; “It is well documented that CBD usage in the UK has risen exponentially over the past two years, with users increasing by over 100%, and we are witnessing another boom in popularity over the last two months. As a robust compound, CBD oil can be taken in many different forms, ranging from edibles that are ingested directly, to topical serums such as muscle balms.
With such versatility, people have found that there are endless ways to enjoy the benefits of CBD. Studies into CBD have shown that it can help with stress and anxiety relief and can also help promote better sleep, making the compound all the more relevant right now.
CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system and helps to reduce the effects of anxiety, helping those of us experiencing stress during these difficult times with a little more peace of mind.”
The CBD oil will be mixed in with Fredzia’s food or placed directly into its mouth. The health of the elephants will be regularly checked through blood tests. CBD oil is derived from Cannabis but does not cause any feeling of euphoria related to Cannabis consumption. The oil does not contain THC, the psychoactive component of the drug.
Collection of faeces, saliva and blood samples from Fredzia have been taken as the initial stage of the trial. Collection monitors cortisol levels, a hormone produced in the bodies of humans and animals in stressful situations.
Warsaw Zoo veterinarian, Dr. Agnieszka Czujkowska, said; “We are planning to give Fredzia the CBD and measure the cortisol again. This is the experiment. Then we know for sure [the oil] is working or not.”
I can’t say I am a huge fan of zoos, I do understand that they do help to educate people but, I’d prefer to see all animals living in their natural habitats. Every animal whether in the wild or in a Zoo deserves all the help we can give. If stimulants can be administered to improve the well being of Fredzia, then there are no reasons why CBD can not be used to help other animals. All the best wishes to Fredzia. – Jeremy Webb.
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