Abusive Elephant Training methods

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http://www.captiveanimals.org/elephants/epp.htm

 

The elephant protection project

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*A Blackpool zoo elephant keeper carries an electric shock device.*

 

UPDATE: Scott Riddle has now been banned from visiting Blackpool Zoo and

handling the elephants.<http://www.captiveanimals.org/elephants/eppupdate3.htm>

 

In December 1999, the Captive Animals Protection Society revealed that Katie

and Crumple, two female Asian elephants at Blackpool Zoo had been electric

shocked during training. The elephants, like many zoo and safari park

elephants in the UK, have been trained to perform tricks to entertain zoo

visitors.

 

In 1998, an Elephant Training Seminar was held at Blackpool Zoo. In charge,

was Scott Riddle, an American elephant trainer.

 

In a letter to the American Zoological Society dated December 1999, Pat

Derby of PAWS writes:

 

" The disturbing facts surrounding the deaths of zoo elephants associated

with Scott Riddle are common knowledge in the elephant community and have

been carefully hidden while Mr Riddle conducts his elephant training school

and his consultant services to zoos throughout the world. "

 

*The electric shock device, also known as a 'hotshot'.*

 

*The elephant handlers course*

 

The Elephant Handlers Course was held at Blackpool Zoo in September 1998. It

was attended by keepers from UK zoos and Safari parks. Representatives from

Woburn, Whipsnade, Longleat and West Midlands Safari Parks and Twycross zoo

attended. Blackpool zoos elephant keeping staff were also present. The

curriculum included proper use of chains, proper use of rope, elephant

training and elephant breeding.

 

CAPS decided to investigate and expose the methods Scott Riddle use to train

elephants. We put an investigator on the elephant handling course. Our

investigator met Riddle and zoo manager Iain Valentine. In his office

Valentine demonstrated with an elephant hook how to give the elephants a

whack, because elephant training was about the trainer establishing the

'right' relationship to begin with.

*Trainers use the 4 foot electric prod to establish the 'right'

relationship with the elephant.*

 

Our investigator kept a diary, in which it was noted that Scott Riddle was

adamant that his work with the Blackpool elephants was not to be filmed in

case 'something went wrong'. He said that the public wouldn't understand

'why we do it (train the elephants) this way'.

 

During training the elephants urinated a lot. This seemed to be a reaction

to the training/handling process. At one point when the elephants were taken

out for a walk in the paddock, a Blackpool elephant keeper carried an

electric shock device, a 4 feet long bright yellow hot shot (see pictures).

Our investigator was told by another of the 'students' that 2 weeks before

the course started Riddle had pulled down the elephants with ropes and a

winch and they were shocked with the electric prods, to establish his

authority. Riddle told students that the elephants did what he wanted

because of his demeanor - some of the students did not know until later that

week that it was the shocking treatment they had received and not his

demeanor that made the elephants scared of Scott Riddle.

 

Riddle was supposed to train elephants in other safari parks in 1999 but for

some reason these training sessions were cancelled. At an elephant meeting

held that week at the Zoo, some elephant keepers on the course would not

discuss in front of others the training procedures they used on elephants.

It was noted that the Chipperfield court case would put the spot light on

zoo elephant trainers.

*Scott Riddle injects Crumple with antibiotics.*

 

In December 1999 CAPS was able to prove that the electric shock devices were

used on the elephants. Blackpool Council who own the zoo admitted in a

letter that the goads had been used. The Director of Community Services says

" The goads were used once or twice during training... the voltage discharge

will give no long term damage " . CAPS has taken advice from elephant experts

and Veterinary Surgeons who disagree. Dr Bill Jordan, retired wildlife vet

and elephant expert says:

 

" Amnesty International believes the cruellest method to torture people is

with electricity - the same is true for animals " .

 

Iain Valentine the zoo manager denied the electric shock devices were used.

In a letter to Irene Boyne he said " The use of electric goads is not

permitted " . He also lied in a letter to Joan Humble MP. Valentine said " I

could not contemplate when stretching would be used in elephant training! "

Yet on the undercover video whilst in his office he tells our investigator

that the elephants are doing a bit of stretching!

 

Diane Westwood VN, Executive Director of CAPS has worked in the zoo industry

and is a qualified Veterinary Nurse. She says:

 

" We are appalled that Katie and Crumple have been treated in this way.

Elephants are extremely special, intelligent and sensitive animals. To

torture these animals using electric shock devices so that they can perform

circus type tricks for zoo visitors is an utter disgrace " .

 

*Scott Riddle and Iain Valentine, Manager of Blackpool Zoo with

elephants.*

 

The video footage, filmed undercover, shows the elephants being trained to

life their feet and head, hold sticks in their mouths and are jabbed with

elephant hooks in the shoulder and head. Keepers from other zoos and safari

parks take it in turns to climb up and sit on one of the elephants. The

elephants urinate frequently, and vocalise – particularly when they are

forced to hold a stick in their mouths. On day 4 Scott Riddle admitted

damaging Katie's mouth by pulling on the hook. Also on Day 4 our

investigator counted 18 'holes' in Katie's face, Crumples also had blood on

her face. Blackpool zoo elephant keepers can clearly be seen jabbing the

elephants with elephant hooks on film.

 

This investigation was given massive coverage in national press and media.

We hope that the public remember what they have read when they see

performing elephants in zoos. Pat Simpson, CAPS Director and Blackpool

resident is horrified. She has demanded a public inquiry into the treatment

of elephants at Blackpool Zoo. Blackpool Council are investigating. The CAPS

Elephant Protection Project will continue. We will not stop, until the abuse

of captive elephants in zoos and circuses has ceased.

 

*Legislation*

 

In California a bill was introduced to offer some protection to captive

elephants. The bill states 'It shall be a misdemeanor for any owner or

manager of an elephant to engage in abusive behaviour toward the elephant,

which behaviour shall include; depravation of food, water and rest; use of

electricity; physical punishment resulting in damage, scarring or breakage

of skin; insertion of any instrument into any bodily orifice.'

 

CAPS has asked our government to introduce similar legislation. Please help

us by writing to your MP.

 

*Elephant training*

*With her feet chained and roped together, the elephant stumbles as she

walks back to her enclosure.*

 

A retired elephant keeper summarised elephant training. It includes:

 

*Chaining* – to establish initial dominance over elephants, they are chained

for long periods. Chains are attached to one or both front and back legs and

sometimes around the neck. The animal is sometimes ''stretched' - this is

where the elephant lowers down onto its sternum. It is an unnatural

position, one that elephants do not assume for any length of time through

choice. If forced to stay in this position for any length of time

circulation can be affected and it can be fatal.

 

*Beating* – To further 'break' elephants during training sessions they are

beaten with implements.

 

*Electric shocks* – once elephants are broken to a training schedule,

electric shock devices, sometimes called 'hotshots' are applied to force the

elephant into the desired routine.

 

*Ankus or elephant hook* – jabbed into sensitive areas such as the chin,

ears, mouth and feet. The training of an elephant relies on domination. The

elephant is beaten into a low social rank and is kept there. This becomes a

never ending battle between the elephant and trainer and is why so many

elephant trainers are killed.

 

Elephant training relies on the application of pain and restraint. It is not

just a one off process either. It carries on throughout the elephant's life.

*Reversing an elephant, using elephant hooks and pulling her tail.*

*After a training session, Katie and Crumple comfort each other, and touch

each others wounds.* *Forcing the elephant to hold a stick in her mouth.*

*Elephant forced into stretched position.* *If held in this position for

long elephants may have circulatory problems and can die.* *Zoo Manager

Iain Valentine demonstrates how to 'whack' an elephant with an elephant

hook.*

 

 

 

*Suggested Reading*

 

For more information on the treatment of captive elephants read *Keepers of

the Ark* by R J Ryan, available from www.amazon.com. This is the true story

of how elephants were cared for, handled, and trained during the time the

author worked as an elephant keeper at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. For

the first time, the public can get a behind the scenes look at the daily

life of captive elephants. The author, R J Ryan, says " This book was written

as a promise to the elephants that I worked with that one day their story

would be told. The names of most of the participants were changed because it

is a universal story of how these beautiful and passive animals are treated

and what they endure on a daily basis throughout the world. It is my hope

that their story will touch you the way they touched me and that you will

forever look upon them with different eyes. "