T.N. Forest Department deputes mahouts and cavadies to Thailand for elephant care training
The Tamil Nadu Government has sent a team of forest personnel, mahouts, and cavadies to undergo training at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC) in Lampang, Thailand.
According to a recent government order (G.O.) issued by Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change and Forest, a team of 18 members will be deputed to TECC from June 17 to June 21. The delegation includes four mahouts, 11 cavadies, a forest range officer, and a forest veterinary assistant surgeon, all of whom are currently serving in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and Anamalai Tiger Reserve elephant camps, along with the Assistant Director of the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur.
The initiative follows earlier efforts made in 2023 when a similar delegation of 13 personnel was sent to the TECC to learn the best practices in captive elephant care. Building on that experience, this expanded delegation aims to gain advanced knowledge in elephant healthcare, ethical handling, and conservation techniques from one of Asia's premier institutions specialising in elephant research and treatment, the G.O. said.
The TECC, located in Lampang, is renowned for its pioneering work in the treatment and rehabilitation of elephants. It has agreed to provide intensive training to the Tamil Nadu team during the five-day programme.
The total cost of the training, estimated at ₹24 lakh, will be funded through the 'Modernisation of Forest Force' scheme, utilising resources allocated to the Mudumalai and Anaimalai Tiger Reserves.
According to Ms. Sahu, the hands-on training will help improve standards in elephant care across Tamil Nadu's forest camps and professionalise the practice by augmenting the traditional tribal wisdom of mahouts with modern global standards.
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