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THE ELEPHANT WELFARE PROJECT

‘AANAKARYAM’

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Asian Elephant Distribution

Evolution of elephants

After centuries of evolution and change, the

mammoth evolved.

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Asian elephant African elephant (Elephus maximus) (Loxodonta africana)

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Elephants have been a part of the Indian landscape for centuries. From Nepal to the Western ghats, they once roamed free, unafraid as Lords of the sub-continent.

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Led by a matriarch, they herded together in small or large groups, as there is safety in numbers.

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Elephant capture

It is said that elephants have been captured and domesticated since several centuries. It is a painful and violent experience where elephant families are torn apart and some lives are lost. Those that survive are forced to live with the scars of terror and grief.

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Timber hauling

In the early days Elephants were largely trained to haul timber and drag weights. However with the advancement of technology, elephants are rarely used for such work.

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Elephants at festivals

Elephants are also trained to attend festivals. They are made to wear acessories ( called capparisons) and parade or march for hours in the hot sun.

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Elephants share special bonds with their keepers, the mahouts.

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A scrub bath rejuvenates an elephant and is necessary for its well being. In the wild elephants spend several hours, wallowing in water.

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Elephants are considered sacred in India. They are considered manifestations of Ganesha, the elephant headed God.

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Over work, mishandling by untrained mahouts and neglect on the part of the owners have led to increased physical-mental abuse of elephants.

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‘They say that deep within the elephant’s eyes you can glimpse the tragic mirror of history. Reflected there is a profound forlonness.’ (Aliya stories of elephants of Srilanka.- Teresa Canon and Peter Davis)

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The bond between the mahout and the Elephant is sacred. It is based on trust, love and respect. Yet when that trust is violated, it results in a tragic loss for both human and elephant.

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WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE INDIAN ELEPHANT ?

WILL THEY HAVE A BETTER TOMORROW ?

WITH BETTER LIVING CONDITIONS AND

CHANCES OF SURVIVAL.

WILL THERE BE ENOUGH WORK ?

ENOUGH FOOD AND WATER AND SPACE ?

WILL THERE BE GOOD MAHOUTS ?

HARD QUESTIONS THAT HAVE NO EASY ANSWERS.

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FUTURE?

ECONOMICS ?

WORK ?

MAHOUTS ?

FOOD ?WATER?

SPACE ?

As long as there are elephants on earth, we will find some in our midst. The answer lies in finding ways to help them adjust to life in captivity. And to lead as normal a life as possible.

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Should we wait for political decisions, socio-economic trends and attitudes of the public to determine the fate of the Asian elephant ?

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Some bonds are sacred to be

cherished forever. Let us learn to co

exist .

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