WWF Nepal project to train elephants

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Positive Spin Trainer Tuire Kaimio with a baby elephant

© WWF NP/ Shubash LOHANI

 

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31 Mar 2006

 

*New training methods make for happier elephants at Royal Chitwan National

Park*

 

Sauraha, CHITWAN –Is there an alternative way to train a domestic elephant

to learn faster, be more obedient and decrease a risk to people? The answer

is yes, according to the 'positive reinforcement' training being discussed

and demonstrated at Royal Chitwan National Park.

 

Starting March 28, a week-long program for mahuts of national parks and

private elephant holders arranged by the Department of National Parks and

Wildlife Conservation of His Majesty's Government of Nepal and the Terai Arc

Landscape Program of WWF Nepal is taking place at the Elephant Breeding

Center at Sauraha, Chitwan. The training is being conducted by Ms. Tuire

Kaimio, one of the most famous animal trainers in Europe. The Finnish

national is sharing her experience of 'positive reinforcement' with Nepali

mahuts.

 

" This training method is the fastest known way to make an animal learn

various tasks, including very complex routines, " says Tuire. " It also makes

motivates animals to work and improves its relationship with people. "

 

In positive reinforcement, the young trainee elephant is rewarded for every

correct action. The reward can be anything from a piece of banana to a

gentle touch. As the name suggests, the elephant is not subjected to force

or punishment. It learns very quickly and is willing to work, because it

experiences no pain or fear during the training. Food rewards are needed

only during the training period – once the task is learned, the elephant

will work without it.

 

" One of the benefits of positive reinforcement training is that it

considerably improves the safety of the mahuts as well as other people

involved with elephants, " observed Helena Talkaranta, a freelance journalist

on assignment from WWF Finland who is leading the training team. " If an

elephant has painful memories of training, it may attack people at some

point. "

 

Dr Tirtha Man Maskey, former director general and co-chair of IUCN Rhino

Specialist Group, agreed with Helena and cited incidents from the past when

mahuts were killed by elephants. Positive reinforcement has garnered good

results from various parts in the world. In many African countries,

elephants used in tourist safaris are trained in this way. In recent years,

elephant training facilities in India, Thailand and Sri Lanka have also

embraced this method.

 

" This new training method will lend a new lease of life to the 1,500

year-tradition of elephant training in Nepal, " said Dr Chandra Gurung,

Country Representative of WWF Nepal. " Handling animals with love and care

will help spread a better message about Nepal internationally, especially

among tourists. " During the course of the week, Tuire will observe the

mahuts in order to develop training methods for specific tasks that

elephants need to carry out in Nepal. " In the past we had to use force to

train elephants but now I am happy to learn this alternative, " says Budhan

Chaudhary from the Elephant Breeding Centre. " There will be a better future

for both the elephants and for the people if we can use the positive

reinforcement method with our traditional expertise. "

 

The first phase of the training concludes on 5 April 2006. Based on the

outcome of this training, a follow-up session will be scheduled. Finland has

been supporting conservation efforts in Nepal for the past three years

through the Terai Arc Landscape Program.

 

 

*For more information:

Trishna Gurung, Manager – Communications & Education, WWF Nepal Program.

trishna.gurung

Shubash Lohani, Program Officer – TAL, WWF Nepal Program.

shubash.lohani

*