Where are the mahouts, ask captive jumbos in Karnataka
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BANGALORE: The 161 captive elephants in the state are worried that there is an acute shortage of mahouts. And they are more worried that the few mahouts who handle them are alcoholic and are ill-equipped to train them.
As against the sanctioned strength, the Karnataka forest department has sanctioned posts of only 62 mahouts and 67 kavadis (helpers). At present, 26 posts of mahouts and 11 kavadi posts are lying vacant. To cope with the acute shortage, 44 temporary staff have been engaged on daily wages. But that only means that technically ill-equipped people have been pressed into service.
The Karnataka Task Force, which recently submitted its report to the Centre, says that private elephants are handled by poorly trained mahouts and kavadis. Many mahouts do not know even to make hemp ropes. With most mahouts being illiterate, they are unable to take advantage of the modern techniques.
The elephants are scattered over forest camps, zoos, temples and some are privately managed. And a mere 49 of the 91 elephants in forest camps (age group of 15-65 years) are fit for working.
The study reports that a large number of mahouts and kavadis are alcoholic and do not follow proper hygiene and suffer from many ailments like TB, which may be passed on to the elephant.
But the Karnataka forest department lacks resources to carry out periodic checking of the living and working conditions of the elephants in private custody. It is reported that elephants belonging to temples and private individuals mostly lack proper drinking and bathing facility.
Elephant is known to be a social animal. But a large number of elephants in temples and religious institutions in Karnataka live solitarily, thus suffering from psychological disorders, the study notes.
The other side of the problem is that many mahouts are not given appropriate wages, accommodation, healthcare and insurance cover.
Study on profiles
A collective study conducted by the data Asian Nature Conservation Foundation, Compassion Unlimited Plus Action and Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre has resulted in creating profiles or fact sheets for captive elephants and their mahouts in Karnataka.
"The collated data will lead to benefits like knowing the welfare status of elephants and their mahouts,'' said Surendra Varma, research scientist, Asian Elephant Research and Conservation (a programme of the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation). Varma has co-authored the study.
Information on an individual elephant's behaviour can provide useful knowledge on the risks involved in handling the animal," Varma said.
Jumbo figures
* Of the 161 captive elephants, 72 are males and 87 females, profile of two elephants unreported
*Maximum elephants in captivity are in the age group of 15-65 years, male (42) and female (50) elephants
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