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Third Project

TRAINING OF YOUNG MAHOUTS IN THE TRADITIONAL PRACTICE OF ELEPHANT KEEPING

The employment of mahouts offered by the Forest Department, the principal employer in this domain, has been reduced since the end of the grand captures or Kheddas in 1972 and at the end of the timber exploitation in 1994. The veterans of this profession, who could acquire an immense experience during the Kheddas and large-scale timber operations, carried away with them veritable jewels of savoir-faire when they retired. The formation of young recruits is not assured and they have to learn on their own without being able to evaluate the level of their knowledge nor are they able to correct their practical errors, all the more today, as their activity is essentially limited to tourist promenades, which does not offer a veritable challenge nor does it motivate the mahouts.

The foundation propose to the youth of these communities, often without work, to come and handle the elephants, Kalpana et Kunti. For a period of several months, retired mahouts share their savoir-faire, on how to:

• mount an elephant
• train them
• feed them
• diagnose their health problems
• provide certain treatments
• fabricate the saddles, harnesses and hemp ropes.

All which is a part of the wisdom of a great mahout of tradition.

Going through rare texts that are essential to the subject and observing diverse practices since the last twelve years amongst a number of mahouts from different regions of India and South-East Asia, Prajna Chowta can equally broaden their understanding of other aspects of their tradition:

• the history of this practice
• the differences in historical periods and regions
• the evolution of the species
• the indispensable basics in anatomy and botany
• the threats that weigh on the species and the necessary measures to be taken for its conservation.

Since the last three years, a dozen of young mahouts have worked with the Foundation. Certain have quit us to find work outside and take care of other elephants, some have stayed or come back and have developed a particular interest in the observation of wild elephants.

Aane Mane Foundation assures them a salary, premiums for particular missions, working clothes, medical assistance, lodging and a healthy, balanced diet. Moreover, our approach makes them responsible, especially towards the elephant they handle, the equipment and the location placed at their disposition.

Everything is decided together and their attachment to this activity demonstrates their basic convictions in honest values and the professionalism that we share, unlike most of the visibly crumbling elephant camps of the Forest Department.

The fact that the officers of the Department pay us a visit is that they are interested in our methods. After inspecting our equipment, they have recently bought new sets of saddles, hemp ropes and leather protections for the Departmental elephants.

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