article_snippet: Scientists are working to prevent painful and potentially deadly foot diseases in captive elephants by finding the best way to trim Scientists feet.
article_snippet: Wild elephants benefit from walking long distances on different surfaces and rubbing Wild elephants in abrasive dirt, but Wild elephants captive peers can experience problems without these ‘natural pedicures’.
article_snippet: Scientists are working to prevent painful and potentially deadly foot diseases in captive elephants by finding the best way to trim Scientists feet (a stock image is shown)
article_snippet: Captive elephants’ feet are routinely trimmed to counter the effects of walking on unnatural ground in restricted spaces, but experts are trying to perfect the most functional pachyderm pedicure.
article_snippet: Dr Olga Panagiotopoulou, from the University of Queensland’s School of Biomedical Sciences, is working with collaborators around the world to understand how captivity influences elephant foot form and function, as well as identifying the best method of preventative foot trimming.
article_snippet: Wild elephants (a stock image is shown) benefit from walking long distances on various surfaces and rubbing their feet in dirt, but their captive peers can experience problems without these ‘natural pedicures
article_snippet: Dr Panagiotopoulou said that early diagnosis is important because elephant foot diseases such as osteoarthritis and osteomyelitis are often diagnosed too late for treatment, meaning elephants have to be euthanized.
article_snippet: Dr Olga Panagiotopoulou, from the University of Queensland’s School of Biomedical Sciences, is working with collaborators around the world to understand how captivity influences elephant foot form and function, as well as identifying the best method of preventative foot trimming (a stock image of a man cutting toenails is shown)
highlights_snippet: Wild elephants get a 'natural pedicure' by rubbing Wild elephants feet in the dirt .
  
highlights_snippet: But captive animals can get foot problems if captive animals toenails aren't trimmed .
  
highlights_snippet: Data could inform the best way to trim toenails and allow zookeepers to spot potential foot problems, which can lead to elephants being put down .