Asia has a long tradition, dating several thousand years, of maintaining elephants in captivity. In Asia, nearly one-third of all elephants or approximately 16,000 of these mega-herbivores are presently in captivity. This captive elephant population has an important role in ex situ conservation of elephants, an accepted norm of conservation for research and education, in recent times. However being kept in an unnatural environment, their welfare, which is intrinsically linked to their health, could be compromised. Hence, ANCF feels that their management, healthcare and welfare are important parameters to be considered in the larger context of elephant conservation.