Kaziranga Mahouts Attend Unique Training in Thailand

Guwahati, Nov 9 - In a pioneering move, two elephant handlers, or Mahouts, from Assam's renowned Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) participated in an international training workshop in Thailand, aimed at enhancing the welfare of captive elephants through modern training techniques.

Kasim Ali from the Kaziranga Range and Sanjeev Pegu from the Agoratoli Range attended the 'Gentle Training Workshop' at the National Elephant Institute in Lampang, Thailand, from November 6 to 8. The workshop, organized by the Human-Elephant Learning Programs Foundation (H-ELP), focused on the principles of positive reinforcement, a technique that promotes desired behaviors in elephants through rewards rather than punishment, explained KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh.

"The training introduced our Mahouts to scientific approaches in animal care, emphasizing the psychological well-being of elephants and their handlers," Ghosh stated. The workshop was facilitated by experts Dr. Andrew McLean, Dr. Portland Jones from H-ELP, and Dr. Bhaskar Choudhury from the Wildlife Trust of India.

Positive reinforcement training, as highlighted by Ghosh, aims to foster a stress-free environment for elephants, enhancing their interaction with humans. This method contrasts with traditional training that often focuses on correction through negative reinforcement. "It's about building a constructive relationship, significantly reducing fear and pain," she added.

The training also included practical sessions where techniques like desensitization were demonstrated, helping elephants to cope with potentially distressing situations they might encounter in their natural or captive environments.

This international event was not only attended by the Assam Mahouts but also by elephant handlers from Nepal, Laos PDR, Thailand, and Sri Lanka, showcasing a global effort to improve elephant care standards.

Kaziranga National Park, known for its significant population of over 2,613 one-horned Indian rhinos, also houses a variety of other species including Asian elephants, Royal Bengal tigers, and numerous bird species. Spanning approximately 1,300 sq km across Golaghat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Biswanath districts, the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in recognition of its rich biodiversity.

This initiative marks a significant step towards humane treatment and advanced care practices for elephants, potentially setting a new standard for wildlife management in the region.