Sounthone Phitsamone (Kan)

Kan modeling our bumper sticker

AES provided funding for a man named Sounthone Phitsamone (Kan), from the Elephant Conservation Center in Laos, PDR to attend the 2013 FOKMAS mahout workshop. AES has supported the Center on various projects over the last couple of years. We felt it would be helpful for Kan to attend this workshop to gain valuable knowledge from the mahouts in Indonesia. In turn, he would share this information with the mahouts in Laos. Watch for the January newsletter where we will highlight Kan’s trip to Indonesia.

Kan works at the ECC elephant hospital as an assistant to the veterinarians.  Most of the veterinarians speak English and not Laotian (native language of Laos), so Kan also serves as a translator for the veterinarians, mahouts, and owners.  Kan impressed Linda with his enthusiasm and passion for the elephants at the ECC and his English language skills. When Linda returned to the U.S., we began discussing ways to provide additional support to elephants in Laos, and the idea of helping Kan improve his scientific, husbandry, and welfare knowledge by attending the mahout workshop was an obvious choice.

Field Measurements

Because elephant healthcare and welfare knowledge in Laos is very limited, the knowledge and networking connections Kan gained at the mahout workshop will significantly benefit the 10  resident ECC elephants and approximately 300 other elephants that are treated by mobile clinics annually. Among the important elephant care issues discussed and demonstrated at the mahout workshop, Kan learned how critical it is for an elephant to be comfortable with being touched by the mahouts and veterinarians.  When medical treatment is needed, an elephant that is used to being touched by people will be calmer and more accepting of the medical care.  Kan was impressed with how calm, Theo, the male elephant from the Tangkahan ECC was while he had his feet worked on during the footwork demonstration, even though there was a crowd of people around him.  Kan learned how to properly take field measurements to estimate weights which will be very useful in determining correct medicine dosages for treating elephants in remote elephant camps where it is not feasible to use the portable scale donated by AES.

Kan also learned a wealth of useful information for caring for calves. There are currently two calves where Kan works at the ECC in Laos, one of which is an orphan.  Kan spoke at length with the mahouts during the breaks and meals to learn about the mahouts’ experiences with orphans and discussed his own experiences. They talked about elephant behavior, nutrition, feeding schedules, etc.  These discussions will most certainly improve care for orphan elephant calves in both Indonesia and Laos.

Even after the workshop was done for the day, Kan was still actively engaged.  Every evening he had a list of additional questions for Dr. Stremme about reproduction, nutrition, training, and more. Kan learned an incredible amount of practical information from Dr. Stremme.  Kan repeatedly said he couldn’t wait to get back to the ECC in Laos to share this information with veterinarians and mahouts to improve the health and welfare of the elephants in Laos.
 

It was a pleasure to support Kan.  We will continue to communicate with Kan and other participants of the mahout workshop to gain new insights into how AES can more effectively improve Asian elephant health, welfare and humane treatment by facilitating educational opportunities for the people who directly care for elephants in range countries.

Mahout Workshop

The Sumatran Mahout Communication Forum (FOKMAS) was established in 2006 and was the first time Indonesian mahouts have organized as a professional entity. The goal of FOKMAS is to improve communications and provide ongoing training via various modules during the annual mahout workshops. These workshops are supported by the Indonesian government and various NGOs, including AES. They have increased the capacity of its membership to participate and provide meaningful data for Sumatra wildlife conservation, habitat protection efforts, and improved the care of the captive elephants.

Workshop participants posting with the elephants.

The 6th mahout workshop was held from November 26 – 28 at the Elephant Conservation Center in Tangkahan, Sumatra and was attended by approximately 40 mahouts from around Indonesia. Director April Yoder was able to attend as a representative of AES.

There were presentations on various topics followed by hands-on demonstrations. The demonstrations included GPS training, the use of an ultrasound, footwork, obtaining field measurements to estimate the weight of an elephant, and actually weighing the elephants on a portable scale (donated by AES). These people are on the front lines of conservation in Indonesia, and it was wonderful to see, first-hand, the level of enthusiasm and participation by the mahouts.

Hands-on demonstration

Along with support for the workshop, AES also provided funding for a man named Sounthone Phitsamone (Kan), from the Elephant Conservation Center in Laos, PDR to attend this workshop. AES has supported the Center on various projects over the last couple of years. We felt it would be helpful for Kan to attend this workshop to gain valuable knowledge from the mahouts in Indonesia. In turn, he would share this information with the mahouts in Laos. View the Education and Travel Sponsorships page to read more about Kan's trip to the Mahout Workshop.

Kan modeling our bumper sticker

A Success Story: Wild Bull Saved from Electrocution

Every day there are more reports of human-elephant conflict (HEC) in Asia.  In the Paneri tea estate in the Udalguri district of Assam, India, there is a herd of approximately 200 elephants. The elephants’ natural habitat has been completely destroyed so they take refuge in the tea estates during the day and descend on the farmers’ paddy fields and orchards at sunset. On August 28, 2013, a young bull elephant (approximately 18 years old) was electrocuted by live wires that had been left on the ground in the tea estate.  In most cases of electrocution, the elephant dies, but luckily, this bull was still alive.  Dr. Kushal Sarma, our veterinary partner in Assam, was immediately notified of the incident. He was able to send local vets to the site to provide initial treatment until he could arrive. Once he arrived, Dr. Sarma administered additional medications, including IV fluids.

The future looked grim for this wild bull!

By the time the bull was beginning to show signs of improvement, approximately 2000 people had gathered around the elephant. Dr. Sarma had to remove the onlookers and bring in a back hoe to help get the bull to his feet.  At first, the bull stumbled a little, but quickly regained his balance and walked off to join a herd of elephants about 400 meters away.  Dr. Sarma said, “He stood and threw a rare glance of gratitude towards me and walked away towards the herd  . . .” Follow up reports from the tea estate manager state that the bull appears to be fine and is not showing any permanent effects from his close call.  

This case confirms the talent and dedication of Dr. Sarma, and AES is very pleased to be working with such an extraordinary individual.  Thank you Dr. Sarma for sharing this case history and thank you to our supporters for making it possible for AES to support dedicated people working to help elephants and their mahouts throughout Asia.

Raju, the orphaned calf

Emaciated Raju

Raju was not even a month old when he became an orphan. With an increase in the number of humans and a decrease in elephant habitat in Sumatra, Indonesia, it is very possible that Raju’s mother was shot and killed as a result of human-elephant conflict (HEC). Our partners at Veterinary Society for Sumatran Wildlife Conservation (VESSWIC) rushed to the village to provide assistance for this tiny calf, which is not an easy task due to the remote location of many villages. Raju initially began to gain strength after receiving IV fluids and was tolerating the milk replacement. However, the harsh reality is that with an animal that young, the chances of survival are low and unfortunately, he did not survive.

Racju receiving the IV

HEC is a problem that continues to increase throughout Asia. While it is taking a toll on the current elephant population, it is also affecting the next generation. More and more calves are being orphaned as the number of conflicts increase.

By losing their mothers at an early age these orphans have an uphill battle to survive and calves as young as Raju have little chance of survival. HEC is an extremely complicated issue and it will take a holistic approach to achieve results, but the importance of this battle is apparent not only for the current population, but for generations to come.

Stay tuned for more information on efforts to mitigate HEC including the projects that AES supports with your help.

2013 EMA Conferece

Asian Elephant Support has had representation at many Elephant Managers Association (EMA) conferences, even before AES became a non-profit. Because we believe these conferences are a valuable resource in Asian elephant conservation, the AES Board members are willing to pay their own travel costs in order to attend.

The EMA is an international non-profit organization of professional elephant handlers, administrators, veterinarians, researchers, and elephant enthusiasts. These are the people who share the joys and never forget the sorrows that are part of being dedicated to the care and future of this magnificent animal. The EMA is dedicated to the welfare of the world’s elephants through conservation, husbandry, research, education and communication. Members adhere to a code of professional ethics and are committed to providing care for elephants at the highest professional level.

Directors April, Linda, and Sharon at the display table 

The conference always begins with a social event for people to see old friends and start developing new relationships centered on working with elephants. October 7 and 8 were full of interesting presentations from elephant keepers, managers, zoo directors, conservationists, researchers, and veterinarians from around the world.

This was an opportunity for us to gain first-hand knowledge of the work being done around the world to improve the lives of elephants in captive situations and in wild populations. It is also a time to share the work that AES has been able to accomplish over the year as a result of the generosity of our supporters.

April presenting

Director, April Yoder, gave a presentation on AES and we were also given a display table so we could educate the attendees on our conservations efforts and of the needs of elephants in Asian range countries.

The individuals who work closely with elephants every day have a unique opportunity to share information with the general public. It is this knowledge and awareness that will truly make a difference for the future of Asian elephants.

Linda receiving her award

While many of the people who attend the EMA conferences work directly with elephants in some capacity, it is not a requirement for membership. The EMA members who are elephant enthusiasts are a power force in the battle for the elephants’ survival. Our president, Linda, received an award from the EMA board of directors for founding AES and for her continuing enthusiasm for elephants.

The remainder of the conference provided similar opportunities to share knowledge and experiences. The day at the Dallas Zoo included behind the scene tours, demonstrations, and workshops. Even the evenings were full of events and plenty of conversations about elephants.

We would like to thank the Dallas Zoo staff for making the 34th annual conference a great experience and we encourage everyone to become involved in the EMA and the elephant community. The 2015 conference will be in Toledo, Ohio. YOU are invited! To learn more about the EMA visit www.elephantmanagers.com.

Elephant Health Clinics Update

With your support, Dr. Kushal Sarma continues to do amazing work for Asian elephants and the people who care for them in Assam, India.  Recently he conducted an elephant health care clinic in the Orang National Park and was able to treat 32 government forest camp elephants.  Orang National Park is located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River and is home to many species including Indian rhinos, Bengal tigers, and Asian elephants.  The park is 78 square kilometers, but is encircled on three sides by people who are quickly encroaching on the land.  The human-elephant conflict is a growing problem in this area, so the elephants are utilized in anti-poaching patrols and to encourage the wild elephant population to stay within the safety of the park boundaries. 

This was a routine health care clinic and all the elephants were vaccinated against tetanus and hemorrhagic septicemia (an acute bacterial infection).  In addition, some routine stool examinations were conducted and the elephants were given de-worming medication.  All of the females and any bulls that appeared weak were given multi-vitamin and multi-mineral mixtures plus vitamin injections.

Dr. Sarma explaining a medical point to students

In addition to helping elephants, AES believes it is important to help the people who care for the elephants.  Most of the people at this clinic are poor and have very few resources to care for the elephants.  Dr. Sarma was able to distribute 40 uniform shirts and an additional 5 khukries (traditional knives).  The knives are used to trim the elephants’ feet and to cut fodder for the elephants, making them a valuable tool in improving the health of the elephants. The uniforms give the mahouts a sense of pride and ownership in the role they play conserving elephants in Assam. 

Mahouts in their new uniforms

A special surprise occurred during the clinic when a beautiful wild bull visited the camp out of curiosity!  Upon inquiring, we were happily advised that he has many girlfriends in the elephant camps in this area and most of the calves born to captive mothers are sired by him.  However, we don’t believe he stayed around for foot care or vaccinations!

Wild bull came to visit

Dr. Sarma also advised he organized an Elephant Day at his college on October 2nd and has this report:

 “As a part of the countrywide celebration of “Wild Life Week” in the first week of October, the 2nd October, 2013 was celebrated as “Elephant Day”  with the initiative of the Department of Surgery & Radiology, College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara with various day long programmes. The celebration started with life demonstration of elephant healthcare procedures to the fourth and fifth year
BVSc & A.H. as well as some post graduate students by the experts of the department which was followed by an exhibition of rare books on elephants. In the next half of the programme, power point presentations were made on various topics involving the elephantsby Dr(Ms) Munmun Sarma, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy & Histology, Dr. G. Mahato, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Dr. Bijoy Dutta, Associate Professor, Surgery & Radiology and Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma, Professor & Head of the Department of Surgery & Radiology who is an internationally renownedexpert on elephants. Dr. R. N. Goswami, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science and Dr. A. Chakroborty, Director of Research (Vety) also addressed the students on the occasion.” 

Our supporters of the “Hoof knives for Mahouts-India” program will be pleased to know that the knives are being distributed carefully and are greatly appreciated.  Please watch for future updates from
Dr. Sarma and feel free to cheer for the beautiful wild bull! 

2013 International Elephant & Rhino Conservation and Research Symposium

The 2013 International Elephant & Rhino Conservation and Research Symposium was presented by the International Elephant Foundation (IEF) and the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) and was hosted by the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium.

Linda Presenting

Typically these foundations have separate symposiums, but elephants and rhinos share similar habitats and face similar conservation issues, so a joint meeting is only logical.  This was the third time these organizations have come together to share information and research project results on conservation issues such as human conflict mitigation, management, health, nutrition, and reproduction.  Participants were from around the world including the US, Canada, Germany, France, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Uganda, and South Africa.

There were over 65 presentations ranging from the latest research on the elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses (EEHV), to the translocation of black rhinos, to how captive elephants can benefit wild populations. AES president, Linda Reifschneider, gave a presentation on AES’ activities for the last year and the importance of collaboration.  
directors

Directors April, Linda, and Sharon

While the presentations were very enlightening, many valuable conversations also occurred during the social events. some of the best ideas are written on a cocktail napkin!

While elephants and rhino populations are disappearing at an alarming rate, the information that is shared at these symposiums will provide a framework for preserving both of these magnificent species.  Thank you to the International Elephant Foundation, the International Rhino Foundation, and the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium for providing this great educational and networking opportunity.

Delivering the Scale to the ECC in Sayaboury

Back in the July 2013 newsletter, we shared how your donations made it possible for AES to purchase a portable scale for the Elephant Conservation Center (ECC) in Sayaboury, Laos. On August 12th, AES president, Linda Reifschneider, left St. Louis, MO, and headed to Laos with the scale. Asian Elephant Support has helped fund several projects for ElefantAsia in the past and we wanted to get first-hand observations of the work being done and to meet the individuals that work so diligently to maintain Laos’ only elephant hospital.  

Mother and calf

Sadly, in a country that was once referred to as the “Land of a Million Elephants”, Laos now only has approximately 700 elephants left in the wild and approximately 500 elephants in captivity.  Every elephant is important to the future of wildlife in Laos.  ElefantAsia and the ECC are desperately working to preserve this rapidly declining population.  While being able to obtain an accurate weight to calculate drug dosages is invaluable in a hospital situation, the ECC’s breeding program makes a scale even more useful.  Many of the elephants in captive situations are still being used in the logging industry.  

The ECC offers owners of reproductively viable female elephants the opportunity to still produce a minimal income while their elephant is on “maternity leave”.   The owners are given a small tiller to grow crops for income or to sell and keep the proceeds during the pregnancy. Being able to monitor the weight of these babies will be very beneficial to this program.  Currently, the ECC has one mother and calf pair and a young orphaned calf.

Bull receiving treatment for abscesses

While at the center, Linda had the opportunity to observe the daily medical treatments given to two adult bull elephants.  One suffered a damaged tail from an attack by a wild elephant and the other suffered multiple injuries as a result of a young and inexperienced mahout.  This second incident reinforces the need for better education for mahouts in many areas of Asia, an effort AES is actively pursuing.

Bull with damaged tail with his mahout and owner

Overall, Linda was impressed with the work being done by ElefantAsia and the ECC and we know the scale will be put to good use.  With your help, we look forward to continuing our support for these organizations in the future.  

A Baby Update from Sumatra, Indonesia

The Sumatran elephant is now considered “critically “endangered, so every baby is even more important to the future of the species.  We have some good news to share about two orphaned elephants that AES has helped support.

Bona playing in the forest

We are pleased to share that little Bona is not so little anymore!  While she still enjoys the companionship of her “adopted mom”, Aswita, she is now completely weaned from the formula.  She has a healthy appetite, especially for fruit.

In our April 2013 newsletter, we introduced you to Agam, the baby elephant that fell into the abandoned well.  Thanks, in part, to your support, he is now in stable condition.  He is 9-10 months old now and has begun to eat solid foods.  His milk supplements can slowly be decreased, but he will still rely on the milk supplement for at least another 10 months.

Agam receiving his formula

We are very encouraged by the progress of these baby elephants and we are hopeful for their future.  Unfortunately, due to an increase in human-elephant conflict, there will be more babies that need our help.  The ability to act quickly in these situations is critical, so please consider making a donation to AES or signing up for our monthly giving program, so we can move quickly to help protect the future of Sumatra’s elephant population.

Professor Raman Sukumar - The Asian Elephant’s Conservation Conundrum

Sunday, 28 July 2013

Presented by the Saint Louis Zoo in Partnership with the Academy of Science-St. Louis

We are very encouraged by the progress of these baby elephants and we are hopeful for their future.  Unfortunately, due to an increase in human-elephant conflict, there will be more babies that need our help.  The ability to act quickly in these situations is critical, so please consider making a donation to AES or signing up for our monthly giving program, so we can move quickly to help protect the future of Sumatra’s elephant population.

Dr. Raman Sukumar is a Professor of Ecology and Chair of the Centre for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, India. Dr. Sukumar is an internationally acclaimed Asian elephant researcher and conservationist, founder of the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation (ANCF)  (http://www.asiannature.org/ ), and a recipient of the International Cosmos Prize.

Dr. Sukumar has authored multiple books on the ecology and history of the Asian elephant, including:

• The Story of Asia’s Elephants (2011) presents the ecological and cultural history of the Asian elephant, from ancient to contemporary times. The story of elephant and man is traced along successive periods in Asian history, and under major religious establishments. The final chapter presents a summary of the latest scientific knowledge of the elephant’s ecology and behaviour, and how we can plan for the conservation of the species.
• The Living Elephants (2003) is an authoritative resource on both Asian and African elephants.  In this framework of evolutionary biology, Sukumar presents the behaviour, ecology, conservation,  and human interactions with elephants. This book should be of interest not only to biologists, but also to  field ecologists, wildlife administrators, historians, conservationists and all those interested in elephants and their future.
• Elephant Days and Nights (1994) is an account of Dr. Sukumar’s  experiences during ten years of research on the Indian elephant.
• The Asian Elephant (1993) provides an ecological analysis of elephant human interaction and its implications for the conservation of elephants.

Read more about these books at http://www.asiannature.org/resources/books/33  .

Dr. Sukumar has collaborated with scientists from all over the world and has published many peer-reviewed research papers on a wide array of topics. You can download and read some of these publications on the ANCF website at: http://www.asiannature.org/resources/rp/14.

A sampling of his research contributions include:

• Populations, movement and habitat utilization of free-ranging elephants
• Population, reproduction and management of captive Asian elephants
• Demography of captive elephants in India
• Crop-raiding patterns
• Methods for census of wild elephants
• Parasite abundance and diversity in elephants
• Diagnosis of TB in captive elephants in India
• Vocalizations of wild Asian elephants and social context
• Pheromone in wild Asian elephants

Everyone was very excited to have this world-renowned elephant conservationist share his expertise during his visit to the United States in 2013. When our international advisor, Heidi Riddle, approached AES president, Linda Reifschneider, regarding the possibility of Prof. Sukumar participating in the St. Louis’ Zoo lecture series, everyone quickly agreed.    

July 26th through the 29th was a fun and educational weekend.  Linda had an opportunity to talk with Prof. Sukumar about future collaborative opportunities with AES and there was even time to do a little site seeing to the St. Louis Gateway Arch, the Endangered Wolf Center, and Grant’s Farm. In the evenings, Prof. Sukumar and the elephant staffs from the St. Louis Zoo and Grant’s Farm had an opportunity to discuss elephant issues over dinner.

Dr. Sukumar with Bud at Grant's Farm

More than 125 individuals attended Prof. Sukumar’s presentation, “The Asian Elephant's Conservation Conundrums” on Sunday, July 28th.  He enlightened everyone on the history of the Asian elephant and the elephant’s long relationship with man from ancient times through today. Most importantly, he expressed his concerns, hopes, and suggestions for the future of Asian elephants. His closing comments on the need for the East and West to work together and to share training and conservation knowledge, resonates with the AES board of directors.  Now more than ever, collaboration is critical for the survival of Asian elephants.  

Dr. Sukumar during his presentation

Thank you to the St. Louis Zoo and the Academy of Science-St. Louis for presenting this exceptional opportunity to the St. Louis community.

Elephant Hospital in Laos Gets a Portable Scale

With an increase in the number of human-elephant conflicts (HEC) and other issues facing Asian elephants today, the Elephant Hospital in Laos is seeing an increase in the number elephants that require treatment. In many situations, it is critical to have an accurate weight to determine the proper dosage of medication to avoid overdosing. Also, with medication not as accessible as in the West, it is important to use the correct amount.  Your donations have made it possible for AES to purchase a portable scale for the Elephant Hospital. As shown in the picture, the scales have arrived and will be hand-delivered in August by our president. Watch for more updates from Laos over the next couple of months!

Hoof Knife Campaign Results

In October 2012, Asian Elephant Support (AES) and the Elephant Managers Association (EMA) joined forces to raise money to purchase local traditional knives (khukri) for mahouts (elephant keepers) in Assam, India.  These knives are an integral part of the mahouts' daily lives as they use them to cut fodder for elephants and trim the elephants' nails or pads.

AES and the EMA would like to sincerely thank everyone for their generous donations to the “Hoof Knives for Mahouts - India” project. This program raised $1,755.52 to purchase these local knives for mahouts to enable them to improve the care of their elephants. A special THANK YOU to the elephant staff and AAZK members at the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, NY, who raised $720.52 for this project!    

Regardless of what job you are doing, everyone can appreciate having the right tools to get it done. This program is a great way to demonstrate that every donation, big or small, can make a difference for elephants and the people that care for them, in Asian range countries.

With your help we are making a difference! Stay tuned for more updates from the field on this project.

Dr. Sarma teaching mahouts how to use the khukri

2013 Annual Board Meeting

Bamboo showing off her charm (and adorable unibrow)

To maintain good communication and achieve Asian Elephant Support's goals, the members of the board of directors have monthly conference calls to discuss on-going projects and a wide variety of other foundation business. However, once a year we have our annual meeting where we get together in person. This year we chose Orcas Island, Washington, near the home of director Gretchen.

Linda arrived from St. Louis, Missouri, April from Norfolk, Virginia, and Sharon drove up from Portland, Oregon and we met at the Woodland Park Zoo Friday morning to get our elephant fix. The zoo staff spoiled us by allowing us to meet their elephants while picking their brains about their pachyderms. It was hard not to be charmed by Bamboo's, Chai's, and Watoto's unique and mischievous personalities. A special thanks to Pat, Pattie, and Bruce for taking time out of their busy days to allow us this special visit.

That afternoon, we caught the ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island. While we were wishfully hoping for some Orca sightings, we were delighted at the porpoises accompanying the ferry. Upon arrival to the island, Linda treated us to a delicious dinner and then we made our way to Gretchen's family's cabin. We are extremely thankful for the use of Ann Jones and Caroline Kingsbury's gorgeous (and extremely comfortable) cabin!

We spent the whole day Saturday, with the exception of about an hour, at our computers, discussing our projects and future. We couldn't have asked for better weather. Sunny weekends are hard to come by in the Pacific Northwest, but that's indeed what we were granted (April took the credit for bringing the sun from Virginia). No matter the sun's source, we were grateful it graced us with its presence.

Sunday morning we were back on our computers to finish up some last minute business and then we trekked back to the ferry so that Linda could catch her flight the next day and so that April and Sharon could drive back down to Portland. April was also able to fit in a visit at the Oregon Zoo, where she was a former elephant keeper.

Together we accomplished a lot of foundation business, enjoyed our elephant experiences, and enjoyed the face-to-face interaction that we only get once a year. Each annual meeting affords us renewed enthusiasm and determination to do everything possible to save these magnificent animals.

Elephant Health Clinics in India

September 2013

With your support, Dr. Kushal Sarma continues to do amazing work for Asian elephants and the people who care for them in Assam, India.  Recently he conducted an elephant health care clinic in the Orang National Park and was able to treat 32 government forest camp elephants.  Orang National Park is located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River and is home to many species including Indian rhinos, Bengal tigers, and Asian elephants.  The park is 78 square kilometers, but is encircled on three sides by people who are quickly encroaching on the land.  The human-elephant conflict is a growing problem in this area, so the elephants are utilized in anti-poaching patrols and to encourage the wild elephant population to stay within the safety of the park boundaries.

Dr. Sarma explaining medical points to the students.

This was a routine health care clinic and all the elephants were vaccinated against tetanus and hemorrhagic septicemia (an acute bacterial infection).  In addition, some routine stool examinations were conducted and the elephants were given de-worming medication.  All of the females and any bulls that appeared weak were given multi-vitamin and multi-mineral mixtures plus vitamin injections.

Mahouts with their new uniforms

In addition to helping elephants, AES believes it is important to help the people who care for the elephants.  Most of the people at this clinic are poor and have very few resources to care for the elephants.  Dr. Sarma was able to distribute 40 uniform shirts and an additional 5 khukries (traditional knives).  The knives are used to trim the elephants’ feet and to cut fodder for the elephants, making them a valuable tool in improving the health of the elephants. The uniforms give the mahouts a sense of pride and ownership in the role they play conserving elephants in Assam.
 
A special surprise occurred during the clinic when a beautiful wild bull visited the camp out of curiosity!  Upon inquiring, we were happily advised that he has many girlfriends in the elephant camps in this area and most of the calves born to captive mothers are sired by him.  However, we don’t believe he stayed around for foot care or vaccinations!

The visiting wild bull

Dr. Sarma also advised he organized an Elephant Day at his college on October 2nd and has this report:

“As a part of the countrywide celebration of “Wild Life Week” in the first week of October, the 2nd October, 2013 was celebrated as “Elephant Day”  with the initiative of the Department of Surgery & Radiology, College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara with various day long programmes. The celebration started with life demonstration of elephant healthcare procedures to the fourth and fifth year BVSc & A.H. as well as some post graduate students by the experts of the department which was followed by an exhibition of rare books on elephants. In the next half of the programme, power point presentations were made on various topics involving the elephants  by Dr(Ms) Munmun Sarma, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy & Histology, Dr. G. Mahato, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Dr. Bijoy Dutta, Associate Professor, Surgery & Radiology and Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma, Professor & Head of the Department of Surgery & Radiology who is an internationally renowned  expert on elephants. Dr. R. N. Goswami, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science and Dr. A. Chakroborty, Director of Research (Vety) also addressed the students on the occasion.”

Our supporters of the “Hoof knives for Mahouts-India” program will be pleased to know that the knives are being distributed carefully and are greatly appreciated.  Please watch for future updates from
Dr. Sarma and feel free to cheer for the beautiful wild bull!

April 2013

Dr. Sarma advised he has conducted seven elephant health clinic sessions January through April for mahouts on elephant foot care. The clinic included sessions on using the khukri. which is the traditional knife that a mahout uses to care for his elephant's feet and to cut fodder for the elephant. So far, Dr. Sarama has distributed 52 of these knives and trained more than 52 mahouts, some already owning proper knives.

In addition, Dr. Sarma advised he has conducted a follow-up program for the temple elephants of Ahmedabad (initial vet workshop held in 2011) using AES financial support, and he has also attended to a circus elephant with a fracture in Anand, Gujarat.

December 2012, Goalpara

Dr. Sarma treated a young bull in Goalpara who was badly injured in a fight with other bulls. This was just one of many notifications we received during the year advising us of medical treatment of wild elephants.

March 2012, Kaziranga

At the Regional Asian Elephant Veterinary Workshop in March, Dr. Sarma advised that he had made an observational visit to Ahmedabad. While the health of the elephants appeared a bit better, another health clinic was warranted and was planned as soon as possible.  Dr. Sarma also discussed a second group of elephants he thought could use some assistance. This is a group of elephants he encountered while working on a rhino relocation project in Kaziranga. Dr. Sarma has already organized a veterinary visit at Kaziranga and will be returning to operate on an elephant with an abscess on its back.

Dr. Sarma (wearing a cap) and some of the workshop participants

AES will be kept updated on the work done at these clinics, as well as further opportunities for us to help these and other elephant populations. Many elephants reside in areas where their numbers are small and capable veterinarian assistance is not available. In addition, many of the mahouts caring for elephants in these locations lead a very difficult life. We are looking into ways we can also help the people that care for the elephants.

In addition to being a working veterinarian, Dr. Sarma is also a university professor. We feel privileged to have found a man of this talent and dedication to the welfare of Asian elephants. We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Sarma and we are grateful he is willing to put these extra clinics into his already very busy schedule.

Veterinary Workshop in Ahmedabad, India (2011)

In early 2011, we received an inquiry from a veterinarian from the state of Gujarat in Western India, who was faced with treating an extremely ill elephant. Gujarat is a semi-arid state and is not ideal habitat for elephants; however, there are approximately 30 temple elephants living in this area. Unfortunately, due to a lack of exposure and experience, the veterinarians in Gujarat do not have a lot of practical or theoretical knowledge of elephant healthcare and management.

Sadly, it was too late to save this gravely ill elephant, but during the process, we made inquiries among our advisers that resulted in our introduction to Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma. Dr. Sarma is a professor at Assam Agricultural University in the College of Veterinary Science. His position within the Department of Surgery & Radiology provides opportunities to teach, to participate in research and field work, and to publish his work. Every year, he works with hundreds of captive elephants along with a significant number of wild elephants. Even with his busy schedule, he found time to help us when we contacted him.

Some of the workshop participants

From our conversations with Dr. Sarma, it was decided that a workshop on the basic skills applicable to elephant healthcare would be helpful for both the elephants and the veterinarians who are involved in providing healthcare to the elephants. On December 25, Dr. Sarma led a one-day workshop on elephant healthcare and managerial practices in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. The workshop was held at the Jagannath Temple and was attended by 21 participants from 9 different cities. The lectures in the morning covered important topics such as the biology of elephants, techniques of drug administration, anesthesia protocols, commonly occurring diseases and their management, foot care, and musth management. After lunch, there were hands-on demonstrations of healthcare techniques including routine examinations, sites for injections, estimations of height and weight, and routine foot care. The day concluded with an open discussion where many questions were answered. The participants were very thankful for the opportunity and we are grateful that we could contribute to making the lives of these elephants a little better and the work of the veterinarians a little easier.

We thank Dr. Sarma for taking time out of his busy schedule to share his knowledge and we look forward to working with him in the future. We would also like to thank the veterinary medical firm, Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., for their help in making this workshop a reality.

Traditional Knives for Mahouts in India

The Elephant Managers Association (EMA) is an international non-profit organization of professional elephant handlers, administrators, veterinarians, researchers, and elephant enthusiasts.  The EMA is dedicated to the welfare of the world's elephants through conservation, husbandry, research, education and communication. As elephant managers, the members believe the elephants in our country are ambassadors for their wild counterparts. As elephant caretakers, they also believe the members are ambassadors for the people who care for elephants in range countries. At the time of this project, all of the AES directors were active members of the EMA and we encourage everyone who cares about elephants to become a member. Please visit www.elephantmanagers.com to learn  more about the Elephant Managers Association.

Bull carrying fodder

In Asia there are a significant number of captive elephants in communities with little resources to provide all the supplies for the mahouts to properly care for their elephants.

The EMA's Conservation Committee Sponsorship Program was designed to support their counterparts, the mahouts, in elephant range countries.  In 2009, the EMA initiated the "Hoof Knives for Mahouts" program which raised enough funds to provide approximately 200 hoof knives to mahouts in Sumatra-Indonesia.

Trimming feet with a traditional knife

Asian Elephant Support (AES) has been working with a veterinarian in northeastern India to help improve the care of the elephants in this area.  A local traditional knife (khukri) is an integral part of the mahouts' daily lives in this region as they use them to cut fodder for elephants and trim the elephants' nails or pads.  However, many mahouts cannot afford proper tools and use crude handmade knives to do foot work on their elephants. Regardless of what job you are doing, everyone can appreciate having the right tools to get it done.

With your help, AES and EMA collaborated in raising enough money to purchase 100 khukri for mahouts in Assam (northeastern India).

AES and the EMA would like to sincerely thank everyone for their generous donations to the "Hoof Knives for Mahouts - India" project. This program raised $1755.52 to purchase these local knives for mahouts to enable them to improve the care of their elephants. A special thank you to the elephant staff and AAZK members at the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, NY, who raised $720.52 for this project!

Footwork discussion at Veterinary Workshop in India

This program is a great way to demonstrate that every donation, big or small, can make a difference for elephants and the people that care for them, in Asian range countries.

We are very pleased to report that the traditional knives are being distributed during veterinary visits to privately held elephants in Assam.

Asian Festival

Volunteer Erin Johns at the Asian Festival, Richmond Virginia, 2013

Since 1998, the Asian American Society of Central Virginia has hosted the annual Asian Celebration. The 16th annual Asian Celebration was held in Richmond, Virginia on May 4, 2013. Thousands of people gathered at the Greater Richmond Convention Center to celebrate Asian culture through music, entertainment, authentic cuisine, art, exhibits, and shopping. AES Director, April Yoder and volunteer, Erin Johns were able to participate and share information on about the plight of elephants in Asian range countries and how AES is working to support elephant conservation.

Of Elephants and Man

Documenting Indigenous Traditional Knowledge on the Asian Elephant in Captivity

For nearly 3500 years, Asian elephants have lived and worked with humans. Today, approximately 15,000 elephants are housed in zoos, circuses, temples, government camps, orphanages, and with private owners. Traditionally, select men in range countries developed the skills and understanding necessary to become the mahouts (care givers) of these highly esteemed animals. Today, however, the younger generation is drawn to urban areas and the careers they pursue will offer more financial rewards with less physical effort and risk. While many references and texts are available that address current elephant husbandry issues, the traditional knowledge that is transferred verbally from one generation to the next is disappearing.

Asian Nature Conservation Foundation, Indian Institute of Science, has completed their project report "Of Elephants and Man: Documenting Indigenous Traditional Knowledge on the Asian Elephant in Captivity" This report documents the relationship between the elephant and its keeper for prosperity. The in-depth knowledge these men have of the species in general, may provide valuable insight into the mitigation of human-elephant conflict issues.   

Asian Elephant Support is honored to have assisted with the funding for this project because of the preservation of knowledge it will provide and the potential conservation applications.  

This report will only be available for a limited time on the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation website here:

Meet Agam!

Agam was rescued by local villagers last December after he fell into an abandoned well in the province of Aceh, Sumatra.  It is estimated that he was 10 months old at the time.  

His herd was no longer in the area so Agam wandered around the vicinity of the village after his rescue.  The villagers were concerned that he would not survive without his family, so they contacted the Veterinary Society for Sumatran Wildlife Conservation (VESSWIC).

One of the VESSWIC veterinarians spent several days caring for Agam while they searched for his family.  Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful, so the decision was made to take Agam to the Elephant Conservation Center (ECC) in Saree, Aceh. At the ECC he would have a better chance to survive with proper care and medical attention.  The VESSWIC veterinarians worked with the mahouts and local veterinarians to develop a nutritional food supplement.  While he will eat small amounts of banana, watermelon, grass, and leaves, a majority of his diet consists of this food supplement. Over the next couple of years the amount and composition of the food supplement will change as he grows.

Because of the support of our donors, AES was able to respond immediately to this critical situation and provide funding for Agam. AES has made a commitment to help fund his supplemental feeding for as long as it is necessary, so your continued support is crucial.

In March the VESSWIC veterinarians returned to Saree to check on Agam’s progress. We are happy to report that with your help, he is doing well and continues to thrive.  

3rd Annual CPK Fundraiser

Thank you to all our friends and family for promoting our event, making long drives, sharing our mission, and eating for elephants! The numbers are starting to roll in and it looks
like this year's event was an even greater success than last year!

We would like to say a special thanks to all of our local representatives out there!

•     Pat and Molly Flora - Birmingham, AL

•     Victoria Girdler and Robbie Clark - San Diego, CA

•     Liz Wilson - Santa Barbara, CA

•     Liz Beem - Ventura, CA

•     Vanessa and Michael Gagne - Dallas, TX

•     Erin Johns - Richmond, VA

A special "trumpet" goes to Whitney Jones, Kim Schaefer, Cynthia Christison, and Barbara Davis for their help and for greeting and thanking our supporters during the event.

Earth Day

Earth Day, Virginia Zoo, 2013

On Saturday, April 20, 2013, AES Director, April Yoder represented AES at the Earth Day Celebration at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, VA. There were several local environmental organizations and agencies at the event providing information on many environmental issues such as clean air and water, and the use of solar energy. April was on hand to share information and answer any questions about elephants and the elephant conservation projects AES supports throughout Asia.