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- Thirteen mahouts/cavadies from the Anamalai and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves are set to visit the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Thailand for training and capacity building to learn how to manage camps and look after elephants better.
- The programme will involve an expenditure of ₹50 lakh, and tiger foundation funds will be used for the purpose, according to an order by SupriyaSahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department.
- Tamil Nadu is already a pioneer in the rehabilitation and maintenance of captive elephants. The camps at Theppakadu in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Kozhikamuthy in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve are some of the oldest elephant camps in the country. There are a total of 63 elephants, cared for by 37 mahouts and 28 cavadies, at these camps.
- Currently, the elephants in the camps are being managed and cared for by regular and temporary staff of the Department, drawn mostly from the local tribal communities. Most mahouts and cavadies belong to traditional elephant tamingcommunities like Malasars, Irulas and others. Currently, the maintenance of camps and training of elephants are based on the traditional knowledge of the tribes.
- The younger mahouts get trained by experienced, retired mahouts. They, however, have never been exposed to other elephant camps or training centres adopting best practices with modern scientific approaches, the government order said.
- Scientific management of captive elephants is an extremely important intervention for elephant conservation, Ms. Sahu said.
- The Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang is a camp known for its scientific approach to managing elephants. Established in 1993, it cares for more than 50 Asian elephants.
- It is a centre for research, and is at the forefront of treating sick elephants in the country. It offers mahout training and homestay, the order said.
- The exposure to practices in Thailand could help Tamil Nadu mahouts and cavadies care for camp elephants better.
- Six mahouts/cavadies from the Anamalai Tiger Reserve and seven from the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve will be travelling to Thailand with a forest ranger and a livestock inspector.
SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB
