Indian Elephant Handlers Begin Advanced Training In Thailand

LAMPANG, (IANS) – Fifteen mahouts and cavadis (assistants) from Tamil Nadu commenced a week-long training program on June 17 at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) in Thailand here. This initiative, part of a broader effort by Tamil Nadu t, aims to enhance elephant management practices and improve the welfare of both the animals and their handlers.

The team comprises staff from the Mudumalai and Anamalai Tiger Reserves, key forest regions in Tamil Nadu where captive elephants are maintained.

The comprehensive program will cover various aspects of modern elephant management, including nutrition, healthcare, behavioral understanding, camp administration, and techniques to foster stronger bonds between handlers and elephants. The Thai facility is renowned for its approach, which integrates traditional wisdom with scientific methods for captive elephant welfare.

In Tamil Nadu, elephants are housed in forest camps in areas such as Theppakkadu in Mudumalai and Kozhikamuthi in Anamalai. These camps are traditionally staffed by members of tribal communities like the Malasars and Irulas, who have passed down their knowledge of elephant care through generations. However, until now, handlers have had limited exposure to scientifically-guided care models practiced internationally.