15 elephant caregivers from TN to undergo training in Thailand

UDHAGAMANDALAM: A team of 15 mahouts and cavadies (assistants to mahouts) from two elephant camps -- the Theppakadu camp in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) and the Kozhikamuthi camp in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Tamil Nadu -- is heading to the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC) in Lampang, Thailand, for a weeklong training programme. They are accompanied by forest veterinarians, forest range officers and other officials.

The purpose of this programme is to enhance knowledge at all levels, particularly among mahouts and cavadies, who are the primary caregivers of the camp elephants.

Of the participants, four mahouts and four cavadies are from the MTR while the remaining participants are cavadies from the ATR.

This is the second batch of mahouts and cavadies, all from tribal communities, to undertake a training programme in Thailand in the past two years. Thirteen mahouts and cavadies from the state underwent training in the TECC in 2023.

Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary for the departments of environment, climate change, and forest, said, “This unique initiative is part of the Tamil Nadu forest department’s broader vision to professionalise elephant care by blending the traditional tribal wisdom of our mahouts with modern global standards.”

She added that the objective of the visit was to learn and exchange best practices in elephant management and welfare.

“The programme will provide a meaningful and empowering experience for the elephant caretakers,” said Sahu.

C Vidhya, deputy director of the MTR core zone, said, “In addition to exchanging knowledge, the elephant caretakers will receive a moral boost, as they seldom get to see the outside world. They will return refreshed and with a better understanding of their importance.”

She said, “From a veterinary perspective, more scientific and modern methods could be adopted from their practices.”

The TECC, established in 1993, is renowned for its scientific approach to managing elephants. It also functions as a research centre in addition to serving as a treatment facility for sick animals.

The Theppakadu elephant camp is home to 28 elephants while the Kozhikamuthi camp takes care of 27 elephants.