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Dear Azam,

I think you know this already but I would like

to emphasise it again. Scott Riddle's elephant training methods have been

called to question. He allegedly instituted a training method at Blackpool

Zoo that involved goading elephants with electric cattle prods. I am

attaching two reports that speak about his training techniques. One report

says, " 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. "

 

There is ample ground to question whether he has " embarked on a noble

mission " for elephants in Assam. His consultancy in India is of special

concern since very often in India we accept whatever comes from the West

without properly considering what exactly it entails for us here. A

comprehensive discussion on Scott Riddle's training methods can be found in

the excellent study of the RSPCA and Oxford University on captive elephants

in Europe by Ros Clubb and Georgia Mason. You can access the report online

at

http://www.hsi.org.au/news_library_events/Elephants%20in%20Zoos/RSPCA_European_Z\

oos_elephant_report.pdf

 

Scott Riddle was recently featured in an Animal Planet programme that

highlighted his work with elephants in a sanctuary he runs. One only hopes

that the elephants under his care are not subjected to electric shocks to

make them tractable.

 

Thanks for bringing this item to our attention.

 

Best wishes and warm regards,

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

The elephant protection project

Archive

**

 

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 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.

**

 

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.

**

 

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 " .

 

*.*

 

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*

**

 

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.

** ** ** *.* *.* *.*

 

 

 

*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. "

 

http://archives.foodsafety.ksu.edu/animalnet/1999/12-1999/an-12-13-99-01.txt

ZOO DEFENDS USE OF `HOTSHOT' PRODS TO TRAIN ELEPHANTS

December 12, 1999

PA News/ Electronic Telegraph

Electric goads, prohibited under European guidelines and deplored by animal

welfare organisations, are, according to these stories, being used on

elephants at one of Britain's leading zoos.

Blackpool Zoo, which has four Asian elephants, was cited as saying that the

goads - known as " hotshots " - are " an integral part " of its elephant

management programme. These stories explained that keepers routinely carry

the implements when working in close proximity to Katie, Crumple, India and

Tara, the zoo's four elephants, and especially when the animals are being

moved from their enclosures to fields for grazing.

The elephants are, these stories say, trained by Scott Riddle, an American

elephant consultant whose use of goads has caused controversy in the United

States. He has conducted a training seminar for British elephant handlers

from a number of zoos and safari parks.

These stories further explained that the use of electric goads breaches

guidelines issued by the European Association of Zoos, of which Blackpool

Zoo is a member. The Captive Animals Preservation Society, an animal welfare

group, brought the issue to light, during an undercover investigation during

which the society secretly filmed two of the zoo's handlers carrying the

goads. One was described as " four feet long with two prongs at the end. "

Diane Westwood, the society's spokesman, was quoted as saying, " We are

appalled that elephants have been treated in this way. This could cause

long-term damage. " The society was cited as being concerned that use of the

goads has coincided with a rise in the number of " circus-type performances "

by elephants at a number of zoos. These stories explained that Blackpool

puts on a regular elephant show, at the end of which the animals use their

trunks to unfurl a banner saying, " Thank you for watching the Elephant

Encounter. "

Mrs Westwood was quoted as saying, " We believe that the prongs are being

used partly because more is being asked of the elephants to make them more

like circus performers. "

The zoo was cited as denying using the prods at first. A spokesman, Williams, was quoted as telling The Telegraph, " Carrying them and using them

are two different things. " However, he later was cited as admitting that

keepers did use the implements, stressing it was only " for the safety of the

keepers, the public and the elephants. " Blackpool borough council, which

owns and licenses the zoo, also was cited as confirming that the goads had

been used during " training. "

Iain Valentine, the manager of Blackpool Zoo, was cited as defending the use

of the hotshots, describing them as " an integral part " of its elephant

management programme and claiming that many other zoos had the goads but

denied their use for publicity reasons. He was also cited as saying that the

rods have to be available to meet health and safety regulations, adding,

" The piece of equipment is seen as an important safety tool when keepers are

working in close proximity to an elephant and especially when elephants are

being moved from their enclosures to fields for grazing. "

Mr Valentine was cited as admitting that in " untrained-hands " the use of

hotshots could be abused, as could other safety equipment such as elephant

hooks. He said that within the draft European guidelines, which govern

elephant management, their use is not permitted.

But he added that he felt this document would be amended as more collections

adopted the same methods as used at Blackpool.

He was quoted as saying, " The most important aspects of elephant management

therefore are staff safety and animal welfare. I, along with fellow zoo

curators and directors, but more importantly elephant keepers, believe that

the hotshot is an essential, modern piece of equipment which is used every

day in the agricultural industry and is, when in trained hands, an

additional safety measure. "

He was further cited as acknowledging that the zoo had broken European

guidelines but added that recommendations governing the goads would

" undoubtedly be amended as more and more collections adopt the same methods

that exist at Blackpool Zoo. " Other leading British zoos did not agree.

Molly Badham, director of Twycross Zoo, was cited as saying that she would

not use them in any circumstances, adding, " Elephants are intelligent and

sensitive creatures and the way to handle them is with a system of rewards

and incentives. They have good memories and if you are cruel to an elephant

then one day he will get you back. "

A London Zoo spokesman was quoted as saying, " We do have an electric goad

but it's kept in a cupboard in the keeper's mess and would never be brought

out except in extreme circumstances. We would certainly never consider

allowing our elephant staff to carry it around the zoo with them. " An RSPCA

spokesman, Emma Nutbrown, was quoted as saying, " We are very concerned.

These goads are frightening for the elephants and there is evidence that

they can cause mental suffering as well as physical pain. "

 

 

 

On 1/20/08, AZAM SIDDIQUI <azam24x7 wrote:

>

> I would like to refer to the editorial of the current 'Animal People'

> issue

> :

> *Elephant polo debate overshadows introduction of microchipping*Link:

> http://www.animalpeoplenews.org/07/11/elephantpolodebate11_07.html

> It may be noted that Scott and Heidi Riddle along with officials and vets

> from United Kingdom's Blackpool Zoo embarked on a noble mission to

> microchip

> the elephants of northeastern region of India.

> I did meet them whilst they carried out micro chipping of at least a dozen

> captive elephants at a camp organised at the Assam State Zoo in Guwahati

> city here.

> I also got a chance record and interview of him and he said that this

> process shall continue with the help of the State wildlife departments and

> very shortly all the captive elephants will be micro chipped.

>

> It continued for some days/month and I attended another such camp in

> Guwahati where an odd dozen of elephants were micro chipped by local

> officials.

>

> Sadly for some reasons this trend seemed to discontinue.

>

> And soon we busted a racket of four adult elephants being smuggled out of

> Assam state destined for Bihar on a broad gauge parcel wagon of the

> railways

> in Guwahati.

> This was detected by the officials of the Railway Police as one of the

> elephant was not micro chip embedded and also there was no certificates

> from

> the Forest deptt for their journey into Bihar.

> The reason that was given by the attendents of the elephants was that the

> elephants were taken for some 'Puja' to Bihar and will be brought back

> after

> it is over.

> After a few days I am told that the elephants were allowed to be sent to

> Bihar by the forest department, reasons not known.

>

> That was one odd incident where fortunately the smugglers got detected,

> experts believe that Assam elephants that are smuggled out generally are

> taken to Bihar for the Asia`s largest animal market where buyers from

> Bollywood, South India`s temples, circus etc assemble, and or is taken

> from

> Bihar to Nepal.

>

> As you can see that the concept of micro chipping in India dates back to

> 2002 when it was perhaps first introduced, maybe some states even started

> of

> earlier than that.

> Yet there has been no debate carried out at least within India to 'WHY'

> and

> for 'WHAT' reasons the micro chipping trend has been stopped in the states

> where it was started bringing so much hope to end the smuggling of

> elephants.

> Is it just lack of funds, or is this due to the vested interest of the

> elephant smuggling lobby which perhaps includes high profile politicians,

> brokers etc that is the reason for this failure?

> It needs to be probed at the highest level, this is one of the MOST

> important points of debate and discussion if at all we are seriously

> concerned about conserving the elephant of India.

>

> On the other hand, 'ELEPHANT POLO' debate is something very different and

> can NEVER be the reason for Micro chipping of elephants to get OVER

> SHADOWED.

>

> I cannot see any link between the two as of now.

>

> Micro chipping of elephants in India is an old issue, while elephant polo

> debate is just a year old baby.

>

> Having said that I would be glad if we can get some fresh inputs on the

> micro chipping status and the success/ failures in specific states of

> India.

>

> Lets focus on it,

>

> Azam

>

> P.S: Please find an archive news report on the micro chipping of elephants

> in North east India below.

>

> Link: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020831/biz.htm#7

>

> *Microchips implanted in 17 elephants*

>

> Chariduar (Assam), August 30

> Altogether 17 domestic elephants were implanted with microchips at

> Chariduar

> Forest Range in Assam today by United Kingdom's Blackpool Zoo animal

> experts

> and veterinary doctors from the state and Arunachal Pradesh to identify

> and

> monitor their movements, top forest official said.

>

> This was the third and last camp for implanting the silicon chips, after

> the

> ones in Delhi and Guwahati under Project Elephant by two experts from

> Blackpool Zoo and sponsored by the centre, state Chief Conservator of

> Forest

> (Wildlife) Sonadhar Doley said here.

>

> Two domesticated pachyderms Rajeswari and her calf Suman were the first to

> be fixed with the microchips, which would also identify and monitor other

> implanted elephants' movement.

>

> He said the chips were implanted in 12 elephants from south west forest

> division and five from Nameri National Park but no animal turned up from

> Arunachal Pradesh due to long distance, non-availability of food on the

> way,

> difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions.

>

> Blackpool Zoo Director Iain Valentine and Scott Riddle, Director of Riddle

> Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary UK, said the zoo, under Project Elephant,

> had implanted 28 elephants in Delhi, 14 in Guwahati, besides 17 here

> today.

> A sum of £ 8,000 had been spent for the implantation, including £ 5,500

> for

> equipment in the state, Mr Valentine said. * PTI*

>

> --

> United against elephant polo

> http://www.stopelephantpolo.com

>

>

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>I think you know this already<

 

Oh, yes. I know most of the allegations against Scott.

What I meant was the effort that he and Blackwell Zoo etc took to come

over here and donate microchip readers, chips by launching the

project.

 

Just that much I was pointing at, and that indeed was a noble gesture

to be able to aid a region which often finds excuses of not being able

to do the needful due lack of funds.

 

Azam

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Dear Azam,

Apart from Scott Riddle's alleged abusive elephant training

methods, the role of the Blackpool Zoo director Iain Valentine in dealing

with captive elephants has also been called into question. It is quite easy

for individuals who have have had their work censured in developed countries

to pass them on to developing countries where very few people would object

to their involvement in any project. If they are executing a project on

microchipping elephants in India it is best done with caution. Maybe you can

make an enquiry if Riddle and Valentine are also teaching elephant training

in Assam. Last month I saw an elephant at Guwahati Zoo which had both its

front legs chained. I asked the keeper why the animal was tied in that

position and he told me it was done because the elephant was dangerous. If

there are 'dangerous' elephants in Guwahati Zoo, there is a possibility that

Scott Riddle and Iain Valentine might suggest violent training methods to

restrain the animals. Microchipping seems a good project but as the maxim

goes, " If you sup with the devil you need a long spoon. "

Warm regards,

 

 

 

On 1/20/08, AZAM SIDDIQUI <azam24x7 wrote:

>

> >I think you know this already<

>

> Oh, yes. I know most of the allegations against Scott.

> What I meant was the effort that he and Blackwell Zoo etc took to come

> over here and donate microchip readers, chips by launching the

> project.

>

> Just that much I was pointing at, and that indeed was a noble gesture

> to be able to aid a region which often finds excuses of not being able

> to do the needful due lack of funds.

>

> Azam

>

 

 

 

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>Last month I saw an elephant at Guwahati Zoo which had both its front legs

chained<

 

Infact Carol Buckly had also raised objection to the chaining of elephant

calves at the Assam state Zoo. She was appalled to see the ellies being

chained and suggested other alternatives and recommendations which I did

pass on to the authorities.

But animal people are never taken seriously, and who better than you can

understand this.

Isn't it frustrating that after inspecting over 50 odd Zoos even you have

failed to bring any respite to the animals imprisoned at zoos of India.

 

Take the Alipore Zoo for example in Kolkata city where you are based at the

moment.

It is one of the worst managed zoos in the world, if I may say so. This

despite the city being a metropolis and home to some of the nation`s leading

animal welfare organisations and experts.

 

>there is a possibility that Scott Riddle and Iain Valentine might suggest

violent training methods to restrain the animals.<

 

My friend, if you can recall what Assam`s Elephant trainer and someone who

has been tagged as the 'Queen of Elephants' Ms. Parbati Barua had done with

the tusker in the name of capturing in Chattisgarh, which was documented on

video and had won a Green Oscar for filmmaker Mike Pandey, I do not think

any method of elephant training can be more brutal and violent than that.

Sometimes it is our people who send out the wrong signal to the west, and

not always they.

 

But fair enough, your suspicion is indeed valid. This certainly needs to be

looked upon.

 

regards,

 

Azam

 

 

 

On Jan 21, 2008 12:38 PM,

wrote:

 

> Dear Azam,

> Apart from Scott Riddle's alleged abusive elephant

> training methods, the role of the Blackpool Zoo director Iain Valentine in

> dealing with captive elephants has also been called into question. It is

> quite easy for individuals who have have had their work censured

> in developed countries to pass them on to developing countries where very

> few people would object to their involvement in any project. If they are

> executing a project on microchipping elephants in India it is best done with

> caution. Maybe you can make an enquiry if Riddle and Valentine are also

> teaching elephant training in Assam. Last month I saw an elephant at

> Guwahati Zoo which had both its front legs chained. I asked the keeper why

> the animal was tied in that position and he told me it was done because the

> elephant was dangerous. If there are 'dangerous' elephants in Guwahati Zoo,

> there is a possibility that Scott Riddle and Iain Valentine might suggest

> violent training methods to restrain the animals. Microchipping seems a good

> project but as the maxim goes, " If you sup with the devil you need a long

> spoon. "

> Warm regards,

>

>

>

>

> On 1/20/08, AZAM SIDDIQUI <azam24x7 wrote:

>

> > >I think you know this already<

> >

> > Oh, yes. I know most of the allegations against Scott.

> > What I meant was the effort that he and Blackwell Zoo etc took to come

> > over here and donate microchip readers, chips by launching the

> > project.

> >

> > Just that much I was pointing at, and that indeed was a noble gesture

> > to be able to aid a region which often finds excuses of not being able

> > to do the needful due lack of funds.

> >

> > Azam

> >

>

>

 

 

--

United against elephant polo

http://www.stopelephantpolo.com

 

 

 

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Dear Azam,

Thanks for expressing your views. The zoo issue in India is

too big for one individual or organisation to tackle. But the Indian Zoo

Inquiry has made some impact since I was informed it was taken as a

reference in a Supreme Court case in 2006 that banned the breeding of some

animals in captivity in India. It has been acknowledged as a useful document

to aid further zoo research too. The campaign to shift Alipore Zoo goes on

and the zoo is likely to be shifted within the next few years.

Regarding Parbati Baruah, yes I know about the case you are talking about.

But the trend of developed countries to misuse power in developing countries

remains a reality nevertheless. And therefore I remain sceptical about Scott

Riddle's project in Assam. If he admits his wrongdoings in the past, his

work in Assam could be seen as genuine. But if he defends his abusive

elephant training methods and advocates microchipping at the same time, I am

not convinced his motive behind microchipping is laudable.

Best wishes and wam regards,

 

 

 

On 1/21/08, AZAM SIDDIQUI <azam24x7 wrote:

>

> >Last month I saw an elephant at Guwahati Zoo which had both its front

> legs chained<

>

> Infact Carol Buckly had also raised objection to the chaining of elephant

> calves at the Assam state Zoo. She was appalled to see the ellies being

> chained and suggested other alternatives and recommendations which I did

> pass on to the authorities.

> But animal people are never taken seriously, and who better than you can

> understand this.

> Isn't it frustrating that after inspecting over 50 odd Zoos even you have

> failed to bring any respite to the animals imprisoned at zoos of India.

>

> Take the Alipore Zoo for example in Kolkata city where you are based at

> the moment.

> It is one of the worst managed zoos in the world, if I may say so. This

> despite the city being a metropolis and home to some of the nation`s leading

> animal welfare organisations and experts.

>

> >there is a possibility that Scott Riddle and Iain Valentine might suggest

> violent training methods to restrain the animals.<

>

> My friend, if you can recall what Assam`s Elephant trainer and someone who

> has been tagged as the 'Queen of Elephants' Ms. Parbati Barua had done with

> the tusker in the name of capturing in Chattisgarh, which was documented on

> video and had won a Green Oscar for filmmaker Mike Pandey, I do not think

> any method of elephant training can be more brutal and violent than that.

> Sometimes it is our people who send out the wrong signal to the west, and

> not always they.

>

> But fair enough, your suspicion is indeed valid. This certainly needs to

> be looked upon.

>

> regards,

>

> Azam

>

>

>

> On Jan 21, 2008 12:38 PM, <

> journalistandanimals wrote:

>

> > Dear Azam,

> > Apart from Scott Riddle's alleged abusive elephant

> > training methods, the role of the Blackpool Zoo director Iain Valentine in

> > dealing with captive elephants has also been called into question. It is

> > quite easy for individuals who have have had their work censured

> > in developed countries to pass them on to developing countries where very

> > few people would object to their involvement in any project. If they are

> > executing a project on microchipping elephants in India it is best done with

> > caution. Maybe you can make an enquiry if Riddle and Valentine are also

> > teaching elephant training in Assam. Last month I saw an elephant at

> > Guwahati Zoo which had both its front legs chained. I asked the keeper why

> > the animal was tied in that position and he told me it was done because the

> > elephant was dangerous. If there are 'dangerous' elephants in Guwahati Zoo,

> > there is a possibility that Scott Riddle and Iain Valentine might suggest

> > violent training methods to restrain the animals. Microchipping seems a good

> > project but as the maxim goes, " If you sup with the devil you need a long

> > spoon. "

> > Warm regards,

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > On 1/20/08, AZAM SIDDIQUI <azam24x7 wrote:

> >

> > > >I think you know this already<

> > >

> > > Oh, yes. I know most of the allegations against Scott.

> > > What I meant was the effort that he and Blackwell Zoo etc took to come

> > >

> > > over here and donate microchip readers, chips by launching the

> > > project.

> > >

> > > Just that much I was pointing at, and that indeed was a noble gesture

> > > to be able to aid a region which often finds excuses of not being able

> > >

> > > to do the needful due lack of funds.

> > >

> > > Azam

> > >

> >

> >

>

>

> --

> United against elephant polo

> http://www.stopelephantpolo.com

>

 

 

 

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