World Elephant Day: Supporting Animal Care Through Safe, Reliable Water Treatment

IXOM is one of the leading chemical manufacturers and distributors across Australia and New Zealand, supplying critical inputs that support safe, compliant and high-performing operations across essential industries, including animal care and conservation.

On World Elephant Day (12 August), we recognise the role that well-managed environments play in protecting the health and wellbeing of elephants. At Zoos Victoria, this includes maintaining clean, balanced and safe water systems — an area where IXOM's chemicals and technical expertise underpin day-to-day operations.

Supporting Water Quality in Elephant Habitats

Elephants rely heavily on water for drinking, bathing and temperature regulation. Maintaining water quality in these environments is essential for animal health and hygiene, as well as visitor safety and environmental compliance.

IXOM supplies a range of chemicals that support water treatment processes at facilities such as Zoos Victoria, including:

• Sodium hypochlorite – used for disinfection to control harmful microorganisms and maintain hygienic water conditions
• Hydrochloric acid – applied for pH control, helping to stabilise water chemistry and optimise treatment processes
• Sodium bicarbonate – supports buffering capacity, preventing rapid pH fluctuations that can impact animal comfort and system stability
• Calcium chloride – used to manage water hardness and support balanced mineral composition

Together, these inputs play a practical role in maintaining water systems that are safe, consistent and fit for purpose.

Enabling Consistent, Compliant Operations

Maintaining water quality in a zoo environment depends on reliability, technical support and consistent quality, particularly in settings where animal welfare and regulatory standards must be met at all times.

IXOM works closely with partners like Zoos Victoria to ensure:

• Reliable supply of critical treatment chemicals
• Consistent product quality aligned to specifications
• Technical guidance on safe handling and effective application
• Support for regulatory and environmental compliance requirements

This approach reflects IXOM's broader role across ANZ; enabling essential operations to run safely and efficiently through dependable chemical supply and expertise.

Connecting Industry Capability with Conservation Outcomes

While World Elephant Day focuses on raising awareness of conservation challenges, it also highlights the importance of the systems that support animal care every day.

Water treatment is one of those systems. It operates behind the scenes, but its impact is visible in the health of animals and the quality of their environments.

By supplying the chemicals that help maintain these systems, IXOM contributes to:

• Safe and hygienic habitats for animals in managed care
• Operational consistency for zoological and conservation organisations
• Environmental stewardship through controlled and compliant water management

World Elephant Day: Recognising the Role of Safe Environments

Elephant conservation is often discussed in terms of habitat protection and anti-poaching efforts. Equally important, however, is the quality of care provided in managed environments that support education, research and species preservation.

Access to clean, safe water is a fundamental part of that care.

IXOM is proud to support Zoos Victoria through the supply of essential water treatment chemicals, helping maintain environments where animals can be cared for safely and responsibly.