Australian Experts Teach Humane Elephant Training to Assam Mahouts
Australian experts train Assam mahouts in humane, science-based elephant management at Manas and Kaziranga parks.
A team of Australian elephant experts has trained mahouts in Assam on humane and science-based methods for managing captive elephants, in a landmark program aimed at improving welfare standards. The initiative, organized by the HELP Foundation in partnership with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), focused on elephants at Manas and Kaziranga National Parks and Tiger Reserves, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The four-day training program, held from February 1-4 at the 850 sq km Manas National Park, equipped mahouts with skills to guide elephants using ethical techniques, without resorting to pain or force. Nearly one-third of the world’s critically endangered Asian elephants live in captivity, making this program critical to setting humane standards for their care and management.
Mahouts learned to train elephants through a combination of voice commands, stick directions, verbal praise, and food rewards. Dr. Andrew McLean, lead trainer from the HELP Foundation, emphasized that elephants are essential for park surveillance, anti-poaching operations, and wildlife census, and that calm, stress-free interactions benefit both elephants and humans.
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The training also created a tiered mentorship system, where “master mahouts” from Manas and Kaziranga will train new recruits across northern India. Thirty-six younger mahouts participated in the program, gaining practical knowledge to manage elephants safely, prevent behavioral vices in calves, and perform veterinary procedures without stress to the animals.
Bhaskar Choudhury, wildlife veterinarian at WTI, highlighted the need for structured training, noting that traditional knowledge of captive elephant management has faded with the discontinuation of wild elephant capture. “Early, structured training is essential to ensure safety and develop positive behaviors in captive-born calves,” he said.
Dr. C. Ramesh, Field Director of Manas National Park, lauded the collaborative initiative, saying it positions Assam at the forefront of elephant welfare. Mark Trayling, Chair of the HELP Foundation, added that such international partnerships underline the shared responsibility of giving wildlife, from elephants to kangaroos, the best possible life.
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