Management of semi captive elephants in their natural habitat
Organisation: Aane Mane Foundation, India
Mission
Aane Mane Foundation welcomes educational and research projects on elephants and proposes an initiation in the management of semi-captive elephants in their natural habitat within the frame of a long-term programme initiated in 2002. It is addressed to researchers, students, professional zoo employees, teachers with an educational project on elephants, on wildlife, on ecology, etc... Please submit your written project and your resume for selection. Prior experience in this subject is welcome but not necessary.
Location and Background
Aane Mane Foundation's base camp is located near Mysore, Karnataka, within a reserved forest that is part of the main elephant belt of South India. The access to the area is restricted and requires prior permission from the Forest Department.
The fieldwork is conducted by Prajna Chowta, who has turned to elephant conservation after her studies at London University. She has been actively involved in elephant conservation since 1993.
The main threats to the Asian elephant in the wild are the human/elephant conflict (HEC) and the fragmentation of its habitat, which are tightly connected. However, more than 3300 elephants live in various conditions of captivity in India today (about 16000 in Asia), and the limited number of experienced mahouts (traditional elephant handlers) are two other major subjects of concern.
Main subjects of study
- Management of semi-captive elephants in their natural habitat. In 2002, two captive female elephants were relocated in a forest area with a high density of wild elephants. The process of re-adaptation to a natural habitat, their behaviour with wild elephants, their feeding habits and movements throughout the forest have been monitored daily. One of them has now delivered a first calf after mating with a wild male. This experiment is carried out on a permanent basis, and is particularly useful for students or researchers focusing on elephant behaviour and ecology.
- Training of mahouts and elephant keepers. The principle of this programme is to invite veteran mahouts to share their knowledge with trainees over a period of a few weeks or several years and through practical work with elephants. Elephant behaviour, techniques of training and handling, knowledge of elephant feeding, of botany, of elephant health care are all part of this programme. About 20 trainees have participated in this programme which is a rare opportunity for zoo elephant keepers to become familiar with the "Free Contact" method.
- Mapping of migratory patterns of wild elephants. Generations after generations, wild elephants use specific tracks to move around their habitat. Aane Mane has undertaken the survey and mapping of this complex network of tracks in the forest. An enormous task still under process.
- Study of elephant demography. The elaboration of a photographic file of wild elephants has been useful in understanding the demography of the elephant population in the study area. Further work and analysis are required to project the evolution of this population in the future.
A series of 3 documentary films directed by Philippe Gautier, "Elephas Maximus" presents the philosophy and activities of Aane Mane Foundation. For more information on "Elephas Maximus", click here.
Program
Working with Prajna Chowta and her team, you will experience the tradition of Indian mahouts and the daily upkeep of elephants.
This activity includes the early morning tracking of the elephants in the forest, interpretation of the signs noticed along their trail (feeding, behaviour), taking them to the river to be washed and examined, feeding at the camp. Specific work includes training of the elephants, observation and study of behaviour in their habitat, occasionally in their interactions with wild elephants. The initiation includes the learning of verbal commands, notions on the history of this tradition and variations of methods, maintenance of the equipments, and various tasks connected to the management of the camp.
You will be assisted in the preparation of your training report.
Accommodations and food
You will stay at Aane Mane's base camp with Prajna Chowta and the mahouts, in a wooden house on stilts designed after tribal architecture (See photo gallery).
Mattresses, sheets, blankets, and mosquito nets are provided but not sleeping bags. Shared Indian bathrooms with hot water are available. Indian and occasional European food is prepared by our cook, in our traditional kitchen, only with fresh organic products (veg, non-veg). Solar panels provide limited power for lights, recharging of your laptop and mobile phone. Weekly trips to the nearest village markets are made for provisions and other requirements
NOTE
Aane Mane does not have the vocation nor the facilties to welcome tourists. Please contact specialized agencies in this regard.
For more information, write to aanemane@vsnl.com
See the Photo Gallery about Aane Mane's Base Camp