March 6, 2008
My study is over and I am resting at my friends house in Bangalore.
We had to go to some hurdles to get the number of elephants for the study at the park. Luckily we managed and had a rich experience. The setting there was beautiful high grasses to look at and distant rhinos passing in and out of sight. The mahouts where captured by what they witnessed and a few expressed they would like to learn some different touching. My desire is to get a course for the mahouts going next year. Of course there will be the money factor again to finanze this second project. I worked with elephants of all ages including some babies. I felt so comfortable with all of them even the ones who had to be watched as they came from a place of fear due to harsh/abusive handling and could react by swinging at me with the trunk or leg. I was able to over-come every elephants fear ether in the first session or the last one. Each elephant received three Body Therapy sessions.
The most memorable encounter was with Prithwiraj a young bull – 11 years of age. He looked horribly depressed when I met him and both Rinku my research vet and myself felt the same way. I desided to give all I could to this tusker. Truly it turned out amazingly…he took to the touch right away, he was starving for love and affection. He had 5 mahouts in his life so far and he had a reputation of being foolish, afraid of everything. His tensed body transformed before everyones eyes. He became alive….he followed me or walked towards me when he saw me. I gave him many mini sessions throughout the 2 weeks I conducted the study and his current mahout, a kind-natured men, told his fellow mahouts that I am now “his mother” and he does not have to worry when the elephant is with me. It was and is most touching! I very much hope this mahout stays with Prithwiraj, it is of utter importance. Unfortunatly the forest department moves the mahouts between the elephants. Perhaps we can approach the officals on this matter – I like to give it a try for the sake of dear Prithwiraj.
For clarity all the Kaziranga National Parks elephants are used for patrolling and collecting their own food and in the early morning hours for tourist rides to see the parks wild animals.
It will take some time to digest what I learned and more will be shared with friends and supporters of this project.
In ending this entry I want to express my deep gratitude to Rinku (vet and observer of behaviour) and Jose (organizer and video person) who have been wonderful team members. Also Krishna our driver was most helpful in the handling of some unexpected aspects.
