There are approximately one hundred captive working elephants in Jaipur. They have been used traditionally for weddings, celebrations, festivals and now for carrying tourists up the narrow steep path leading to the magnificent and ancient Amer Fort.

Elephants assisted by HIS-India at Amer Fort

Dreaming of forests

For many years HIS was concerned with the poor conditions under which these elephants worked, on burning roads in 45’c heat, without sufficient water and with poor nutrition and veterinary care. An elephant needs at least one hours’ bathing per day, and being a forest animal used to a canopy to protect it from the sun, some elephants in Jaipur died of heat exposure. Others were sunburnt. One report written by elephant veterinary experts Dr. Jacob Cheeran and Dr.K.C. Panicker in 2001 found that ‘there was a severe shortage of water any many (elephants) were suffering from dehydration’ ‘Many of the animals were suffering from heavy parasitism, anaemia, deficiency related diseases and foot lesions.’

Wound caused by friction from the howdah and poor saddlery. Due to pressure from HIS this elephant was withdrawn from work and the wound is now healing

In 2001, HIS vets had been called by an elephant owner to treat a huge abscess on the back of Mustana, the tallest elephant in Jaipur. The abscess was caused by friction from the howdah saddlery. After this abscess had successfully healed, more and more elephant owners requested help from HIS. Fortunately in 2002 elephant author and film-maker Mark Shand of elephantfamily (UK), visited Help in Suffering, and, prompted by the patron of HIS, her Highness the Rajmata of Jaipur, who was also concerned by the state of the captive working elephants of Jaipur, offered financial support to HIS to begin a campaign to improve conditions of the captive working elephants.

A special elephant team was formed, headed by vet, Dr. Madhulal Valliayatte, and mahout, Moona Khan, an expert in the elephants of Jaipur. With mobile clinic and driver Ramswaroop, this team began visiting the elephants every day. It was found that many elephants suffered from abscesses, huge, pussy wounds which caused the elephant great pain when the deep, weeping sore was cleaned. Most of these abscesses were the result of poor management – chaining of the elephant by the ankle, sometimes with inward-turning spikes, mis-use of the ankush (the hooked, iron rod used to control the elephant), poor saddlery causing friction under the girth, tail or on the back or neck, and additionally abscesses were caused on the side of the body or head from friction when the elephants lay down to sleep on the curved cement ‘than’ where they rest at night.

Dr Madhu treating one of the elephants

Chains with inwardly turning spikes are sometimes used to restrain elephants; they result in perforations and abscesses

Gradually through liaison with the elephant owners and mahout camps organised with support of Rajasthan Tourism, the condition of the elephants has begun to improve.

Curbing the Use of the Ankush:

Infected elephant foot in Jaipur

The ultimate aim of the Help in Suffering/elephantfamily elephant project is to achieve abolition of the ankush, but it is realized that this is not possible in the short-term. The ankush is a standard item of equipment and when properly used, provides a tool of communication to cue the elephant and to re-enforce and maintain commands. Commands may also be given by voice, by use of the feet and hands, and by body gestures. The concern of HIS is that the ankush is frequently mis-used or over-used, resulting in wounds which develop into abscesses. HIS/ef Project advisor, Smt. Parbodhi Barua, has now introduced a bamboo ankush with blunt end which is used routinely in Assam. This bamboo ‘ankush’ must now be used by the mahouts working with the Jaipur captive elephants at Amer Fort/Palace under the auspices of the Tourism Department

• Several times a year training and awarness camps are held for mahouts and elephant owners headed by experts such as Dr Khyne U Mar. Many meetings have also been held by the Rajasthan Government and officials in order to promote improved conditions for the elephants. Welfare Regulations are planned to be implemented.
• A sign has been placed at Amer where many tourists ride the elephants, to ask the visitors to report any perceived abuse of elephants.
• The Tourism Department has made available a room for the HIS/ef project near the entrance to Amer Fort/Palace in the area where tourists mount the elephants for the ride up the hill. This facility enables the HIS/ef team to monitor the situation. A complaints box and complaints form is placed in a visible position.
• HIS/ef has requested the Rajasthan Government to license mahouts, so that only those skilled and humane mahouts can work the elephants, and a proper salary can be received by the mahouts, thus reducing the number of times they are moved from management of one elephant to another, thus distressing the elephant.
• Elephantfamily has developed a lighter weight howdah which, when introduced, will lead to dramatic reduction in friction. The current howdah together with padding weighs approximately 200 kilograms, and constant pressure causes sores which develop into abscesses.
• Rajasthan Tourism has now completed the building of a shade cover in the Elephant Stand area at Amer Fort/Palace so that elephants can now wait in the shade. Sunburn in 45’C heat is a serious problem.
• At the request of HIS/ef Rajasthan Tourism has introduced rules which disallow elephants from working during the hours of 11am to 4pm during summer months when the temperature is in the 40’s.

A young boy and his elephant

In the midst of Jaipur conjestion, this dangerous tusker is chained most of his life

HIS/ef thanks the Rajasthan Government Chief Minister, and Rajasthan Tourism for the co-operation and assistance which has been provided in improvement of standards for the 102 captive working elephants of Jaipur.