"Kumki (elephant) Kumki or Koomkie is a term used in India for trained captive Asian elephants used in operations to trap wild elephants. The term may be more specifically applied to trained female elephants used as decoys. Kumkis are used for capturing, calming and herding wild elephants or to lead wild elephants away in conflict situations. The word is derived from Persian ""kumak"" which means ""aid"" and is in wide usage from Bengal to Tamil Nadu by mahouts. Kumkis are not the same elephants widely found in Indian temples. An elephant has to undergo extensive training before it can become"
"was in that state, had set out in pursuit, but had taken the wrong direction and was now twelve hours' journey away..."" Ferozepur District Gqzzettier 1915 Local public views. Mahout A mahout is an elephant rider, trainer, or keeper. Usually, a mahout starts as a boy in the ""family profession"" when he is assigned an elephant early in its life. They remain bonded to each other throughout their lives. The word ""mahout"" derives from the Hindi words ""mahaut"" (महौत) and ""mahavat"" (महावत), and originally from the Sanskrit ""mahamatra"" (महामात्र). Another term is ""cornac"" or ""kornak"", which entered many European languages"
"Mahout A mahout is an elephant rider, trainer, or keeper. Usually, a mahout starts as a boy in the ""family profession"" when he is assigned an elephant early in its life. They remain bonded to each other throughout their lives. The word ""mahout"" derives from the Hindi words ""mahaut"" (महौत) and ""mahavat"" (महावत), and originally from the Sanskrit ""mahamatra"" (महामात्र). Another term is ""cornac"" or ""kornak"", which entered many European languages via Portuguese. This word derives ultimately from the Sanskrit term ""karināyaka"", a compound of ""karin"" (elephant) and ""nayaka"" (leader). In Tamil, the word used is ""pahan"", which means ""elephant"
"animals access to key areas. Elephants have been working animals since at least the Indus Valley Civilization and continue to be used in modern times. There were 13,000–16,500 working elephants employed in Asia in 2000. These animals are typically captured from the wild when they are 10–20 years old when they can be trained quickly and easily, and will have a longer working life. They were traditionally captured with traps and lassos, but since 1950, tranquillisers have been used. Individuals of the Asian species have been often trained as working animals. Asian elephants perform tasks such as hauling loads into"
"the services of a skilled ""mahout"" or ""phandi"". This person is able to lasso a wild elephant whilst mounted on another. The ""phandi"", who is well regarded for his abilities, is accompanied by another ""mahout assistant"". ""Phandis"" feature in the folklore of northeastern India. Since 1977, this and all other methods of capturing elephants are illegal, but prior to the 1977 legislation, mela shikar was used to lasso an estimated 300 to 400 elephants per year in Assam alone. Three distinct reasons make the mela shikar method a safe one. Gazali shikar is a variation of mela shikar. ""Gazali"" in"
"a Kumki. Several animal activists have appealed against this training system. Many movies related to Kumki elephants have been released in the Tamil film industry, such as ""Kumki"" (2012). Kumki (elephant) Kumki or Koomkie is a term used in India for trained captive Asian elephants used in operations to trap wild elephants. The term may be more specifically applied to trained female elephants used as decoys. Kumkis are used for capturing, calming and herding wild elephants or to lead wild elephants away in conflict situations. The word is derived from Persian ""kumak"" which means ""aid"" and is in wide usage"
"Elephant goad The elephant goad, bullhook, or ankus (from Sanskrit """" or ""ankusha"") is a tool employed by mahout in the handling and training of elephants. It consists of a hook (usually bronze or steel) which is attached to a handle, ending in a tapered end. A relief at Sanchi and a fresco at the Ajanta Caves depict a three-person crew on the war elephant, the driver with an elephant goad, what appears to be a noble warrior behind the driver and another attendant on the posterior of the elephant. Nossov and Dennis (2008 p 19) report that two perfectly"
"into the 19th century. An elephant trainer, rider, or keeper is called a mahout. Mahouts were responsible for capturing and handling elephants. To accomplish this, they utilize metal chains and a specialized hook called an aṅkuśa or 'elephant goad'. According to Chanakya as recorded in the Arthashastra, first the mahout would have to get the elephant used to being led. The elephant would have learn how to raise its legs to help a rider climb on. Then the elephants were taught to run and maneuver around obstacles, and move in formation. These elephants would be fit to learn how to"
"domesticated elephants. Most of them are owned by temples and individuals. They are used for religious ceremonies in and around the temples, and some churches and mosques also, and a few elephants work at timber yards. Elephants in Kerala are often referred to as the ""sons of the sahya""(cf. poem Sahyante Makan by Vyloppalli Sreedhara Menon). As the State Animal, the elephant is featured on the emblem of the Government of Kerala state, taken from the Royal Arms of both Travancore and Cochin. It is believed that an elephant that has been captured in the wild, and domesticated, will never"
"Temple elephant Temple elephants are a type of captive elephant. Many major temples own elephants; others hire or are donated elephants during the festive seasons. Temple elephants are usually wild animals, poached from the forests of North East India from wild herds at a young age and then sold into captivity to temples. Their treatment in captivity has been the subject of controversy and condemnation by some , while others claim that elephants form a vital part of the socio-economic framework of many temple ceremonies and festivals in India, particularly in the South. The largest elephant farm in India is"
"such a mean act as Ramachandran is the favourite”. But he also said that the temple committee would pursue the complaint until the culprit is caught. Thechikottukavu Ramachandran Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran (born 1964) is an elephant owned by Thechikottukavu devasom, a temple in Kerala. Ramachandran is the second valued elephant in the annual Kerala elephant procession. He is also considered the second tallest elephant in Asia. And the elephant have most number of fans and fans accociations across kerala. Nadungamuwe Raja, a tusker in Sri lanka is the tallest tusker in Asia Ramachandran elephant is nick named Raman and is under"
"trunks to paint and lift objects and sometimes people. King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1921 decreed in the ""Wild Elephant Protection Act"" that all wild elephants were the property of the government, to be managed by the Department of the Interior as the King's representative. Elephants with special features—white elephants—were to be presented to the king. The law pertaining to domesticated elephants is the ""Beast of Burden Act 2482 B.E."" (1939). This act classifies elephants as draught animals along with horses, donkeys, and oxen. It allows domesticated elephants to be treated as private property. This act has no additional measures"
"by the forest-wildlife departments of the Government of Kerala, to ensure a smooth transition. The elephant is 15 years old and is expected to live for another 50 years. Elephants have huge market value in a state like Kerala. Around 700 elephants are owned by people and temples. These elephants are rented out for more than 10,000 festivals and processions in which a single elephant may generate revenue up to $5000 a day according to their status. These animals have to endure long and noisy parades, loud firecrackers, may need to stand near flames, travel long distances in open shabby"
"keeper"", and in Sinhalese ""kurawanayaka"" (""stable master""). In Malayalam the word used is ""paappaan"". In Burma, the profession is called ""oozie""; in Thailand ""kwan-chang"" (ควาญช้าง); and in Vietnam ""quản tượng"". The most common tools used by mahouts are chains and the Goad ""Aṅkuśa"" (or ""ankus"", ""anlius"") – a sharp metal hook used in the training and handling of the elephant by stabbing the elephant in the head, and in areas like the mouth and inner ear, where the animal is most sensitive. In India, especially Kerala, mahouts use three types of device to control elephants. The ""thotti"" (hook), which is"
"of a law under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, declaring the Indian elephant to be a highly endangered species. In the case of elephants which cause extensive damage by encroaching into human habitations and damaging crops, the forest department has the authority to capture them. Khedda is a word in the Hindi language meaning a ""ditch"", which was used as a trap to capture many wild elephants. Prior to introduction of this system the method used to trap wild elephants was a pit system. An early description of a khedda was written by the Greek explorer and"
"the Rig Veda, ""Mrga Hastin"" (animal with a hand) occurs in RV 1.64.7 and RV 4.16.14. An equivalent word for elephants in Tamil is ""kaimmā"" (கைம்மா) which also means ""animal with a hand"" (Kalithogai, 23; Purananuru, 368). RV 9.57.3 and RV 6.20.8 mention """"s, a term meaning ""servant, domestics, household"" according to Roth, Ludwig, Zimmer and other Indologists. Other scholars like Pischel and Karl Friedrich Geldner translate the term as elephant. According to Sayana, Mahidhara and the Nirukta, ibha is translated as elephant. Megasthenes and Nearchos also connect ibha with elephant. The term ibha is only used in the Samhitas,"
"and especially in the Rig Veda. Another term that may mean elephant is ""Varana"" (RV 8.33.8; RV 10.40.4). According to Macdonell and Keith, ""Varana"" refers to elephants. The Akananuru (27) and the Purananuru (389) state that elephants were raised and trained in ancient Tamilagam's northern boundary of Venkatam hills Tirupati. Another Sangam poem says that the elephants here were trained in a northern tongue which could well be Sanskrit. Hastin Hastin (हस्तिन्) is a term for elephant used in Vedic texts. Other terms for elephant include Ibha (इभ) and Vārana (वारण). In Rig Veda 1.84.17 and 4.4.1. and probably other"
"remote areas, moving logs to rivers and roads, transporting tourists around national parks, pulling wagons, and leading religious processions. In northern Thailand, the animals are used to digest coffee beans for Black Ivory coffee. They are valued over mechanised tools because they can work in relatively deep water, require relatively little maintenance, need only vegetation and water as fuel and can be trained to memorise specific tasks. Elephants can be trained to respond to over 30 commands. Musth bulls can be difficult and dangerous to work with and are chained and semi-starved until the condition passes. In India, many working"
"the States known to possess domesticated elephants. Project Elephant Project Elephant was launched in 1992 by the Government of India Ministry of Environment and Forests to provide financial and technical support of wildlife management efforts by states for their free ranging populations of wild Asian Elephants. The project aims to ensure long-term survival of viable conservation reliant populations of elephants in their natural habitats by protecting the elephants, their habitats and migration corridors. Other goals of Project Elephant are supporting research of the ecology and management of elephants, creating conservation awareness among local people, providing improved veterinary care for captive"
"coconuts. In the monsoon season, the elephants undergo Ayurvedic rejuvenation treatments which include decoctions with herbs, etc. It is called Sukha Chikitsa in the Malayalam language. Mahouts may be classified into three types, called in the Sanskrit language: In November 2014, Mathrubhumi reported the incident of a tamed elephant, Indrajit, being released to the wild because of the care and affection (and not because of financial constraints) the elephant's owner, Mr T R Raghulal (managing director of Elite Group of Companies), has towards the elephant. To avoid troubles a tamed elephant may face in the wild, special arrangements were made"
"has observed a mother, after the death of her calf, walk sluggishly at the back of a family for many days. Edward Topsell stated in his publication ""The History of Four-Footed Beasts"" in 1658, ""There is no creature among all the Beasts of the world which hath so great and ample demonstration of the power and wisdom of almighty God as the elephant."" Elephants are believed to be on par with chimpanzees with regards to their cooperative skills. Elephants are thought to be highly altruistic animals that even aid other species, including humans, in distress. In India, an elephant was"
"The state wants to put the captured and tamed animals on government duty - to carry guards and tourists in wildlife sanctuaries and to transport EVMs and polling officials to remote areas. It also hopes that the move will contain the human-elephant conflict. Mela shikar Mela shikar (মেলা চিকাৰ) is a traditional method of capturing wild elephants for captive use. The process involves lassoing a wild elephant from the back of a trained one, called a ""koonki"". This practice is prevalent in the northeastern part of India, especially in Assam, and is one of the methods seen in ancient India."
"mount or vehicle known as a ""vāhana"". In addition to providing a means of transport, they symbolically represent a divine attribute. The elephant ""vāhana"" represents wisdom, divine knowledge and royal power; it is associated with Lakshmi, Brihaspati, Shachi and Indra. Indra was said to ride on a flying white elephant named Airavata, who was made the King of all elephants by Lord Indra. A white elephant is rare and given special significance. It is often considered sacred and symbolises royalty in Thailand and Burma, where it is also considered a symbol of good luck. In Buddhist iconography, the elephant is"
"Black Diamond (elephant) Black Diamond (1898-1929) was an Indian elephant owned by the Al G. Barnes Circus. Weighing nine tons, he was believed to be the largest Indian elephant in captivity. A good worker but prone to fits of temper, he was generally kept chained to two calm female elephants during parades through the towns the circus visited. On October 12, 1929, while being unloaded in Corsicana, Texas, Black Diamond went on a rampage, injuring his long-time former trainer, H. D. (Curley) Pritchett, and killing Pritchett's current employer, Eva Speed Donohoo (or Donohue). Ms. Donohoo was not the first person"
"in kerala include at least one richly caparisoned elephant. Kerala is home to the largest domesticated population of elephants in India—about 700 [[Indian elephants]], owned by temples as well as individuals. These elephants are mainly employed for the processions and displays associated with festivals celebrated all around the state. More than 10,000 festivals are celebrated in the state annually and some animal lovers have sometimes raised concerns regarding the overwork of domesticated elephants during them. In Malayalam literature, elephants are referred to as the 'sons of the ""[[sahyadri|sahya]]"". The elephant is the state animal of Kerala and is featured on"
"White elephant A white elephant is a possession which its owner cannot dispose of and whose cost, particularly that of maintenance, is out of proportion to its usefulness. In modern usage, it is an object, building project, scheme, business venture, facility, etc., considered expensive but without use or value. The term derives from the sacred white elephants kept by Southeast Asian monarchs in Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. To possess a white elephant was regarded (and is still regarded in Thailand and Burma) as a sign that the monarch reigned with justice and power, and that the kingdom was blessed"
"greatest capital asset. The women and girls in India generally look after the milking buffalo while the men and boys are concerned with the working animals. Throughout Asia, they are commonly tended by children who are often seen leading or riding their charges to wallowing places. Water buffalo are the ideal animals for work in the deep mud of paddy fields because of their large hooves and flexible foot joints. They are often referred to as ""the living tractor of the East"". It probably is possible to plough deeper with buffalo than with either oxen or horses. They are the"
"period. The practice of riding on elephants in peace and war was common among aryans and non-aryans, royalty or commoner, in the 6th or 5th century BC. This practice is believed to be much older than proper recorded history. The ancient Indian Epics ""Ramayana"" and ""Mahābhārata"", dating from 5th–4th century BC, elaborately depict elephant warfare. They are recognized as an essential component of royal and military processions. In ancient India, initially, the army was fourfold (""chaturanga""), consisting of infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots. Kings and princes principally ride on chariots, which was considered the most royal, while seldom ride the"
"African elephant is seen as the wise chief who impartially settles disputes among the forest creatures in African fables, and the Ashanti tradition holds that they are human chiefs from the past. The Earth is supported and guarded by mythical World Elephants at the compass points of the cardinal directions, according to the Hindu cosmology of ancient India. The classical Sanskrit literature also attributes earthquakes to the shaking of their bodies when they tire. Wisdom is represented by the elephant in the form of the deity Ganesh, one of the most popular gods in the Hindu religion's pantheon. Sometimes known"
"and villagers due to the torture some elephants endure from their mahouts, especially during festivals. More than 90% of the elephants in Kerala, for example, are not obtained legally. The Singapore Zoo features a show called ""elephants at work and play"", where the elephants' caretakers are referred to as ""mahouts"", and demonstrate how elephants are used as beasts of burden in south-east Asia. The verbal commands given to the elephants by the mahouts are all in Sinhalese, one of the two official languages of Sri Lanka. A shop display advertising ""Mahout"" cigarettes features prominently in the background of the ""rain"
"Arjuna (elephant) Arjuna (born c. 1960) is an Asian elephant who, from 2012 has been the lead elephant and the carrier of the Golden Howdah at the Mysore Dasara. He was named after Arjuna, the third of the Pandava brothers from the Hindu epic Mahabharatha. Arjuna was captured in 1968 in the Khedda operations from the forests of Kakanakote in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. After he was tamed, he was made a regular at the camps that featured processions during the festival of Dasara in Mysore, in the 1990s. After Drona, the then carrier, fell ill prior to the"
"Elephant polo Elephant polo is a variant of polo played while riding elephants. It is played in Nepal, Rajasthan (India), and Thailand. England and Scotland regularly field teams. Equipment consists of a standard polo ball and six to ten foot cane (similar to bamboo) sticks with a polo mallet head on the end. The pitch is three-quarters of the length of a standard polo pitch, due to the lower speed of the elephants. Two people ride each elephant; the elephants are steered by mahouts, while the player tells the mahout which way to go and hits the ball. Elephant polo"
"financial and technical support of wildlife management efforts by states for their free ranging populations of wild Asian Elephants. The project aims to ensure long-term survival of viable conservation reliant populations of elephants in their natural habitats by protecting the elephants, their habitats and migration corridors. Other goals of Project Elephant are supporting research of the ecology and management of elephants, creating conservation awareness among local people, providing improved veterinary care for captive elephants. Indian elephant The Indian elephant (""Elephas maximus indicus"") is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant and native to mainland Asia. Since 1986, the"