GUWAHATI: Two mahouts of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR), Kasim Ali from Kaziranga Range and Sanjeev Pegu from Agaratoli Range, participated in the Gentle Training Workshop at the National Elephant Institute in Lampang, Thailand. Held from November 6 to 8, this international workshop, hosted by the Human-Elephant Learning Programs Foundation (H-ELP), aimed at improving captive elephant welfare using positive reinforcement techniques grounded in scientific research.
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The three-day programme introduced the mahouts to innovative methods for humane elephant care, led by renowned trainers including Andrew McLean, Portland Jones from the H-ELP Foundation, and Bhaskar Choudhury of the Wildlife Trust of India. The workshop focused on using rewards to encourage desired behaviours in elephants, promoting trust and reducing stress, rather than relying on traditional corrective methods. This approach is intended to create a healthier, more empathetic environment for elephants, supporting their well-being and enhancing the bond between elephants and their handlers.
Mahouts from Kaziranga, Nepal, Laos, Thailand, and Sri Lanka attended the training, observing practical demonstrations of verbal and signal-based training techniques, alongside desensitisation methods. These sessions highlighted the importance of patience and empathy in elephant handling, aligning with modern animal welfare standards.
Assam's Minister of Environment and Forest, Chandra Mohan Patowary, shared his thoughts on social media, saying, “I am delighted to learn that mahouts from Kaziranga have attended an international training in Thailand on positive reinforcement techniques for captive elephant management. Under the visionary leadership of Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, our government is dedicated to adopting the latest scientific techniques for wildlife conservation in the state.”