Chains are a vital tool in the lives of elephants in human care. While some think that chains look inhumane, they are really just as normal as a leash for your dog. Without them, elephants and the people who care for them face many problems, perhaps even the loss of an elephant. It is imperative that we, as conservators of the species, seek out all avenues to provide the best for the elephants in our care.

Tethering is an integral part of responsible, everyday elephant management in human care. Facilities all around the world use ropes and chains for restraining their elephants for a wide variety of reasons. A regular husbandry routine that includes tethers habituates the elephant to the use of tethers and ensures that they can be used at any time, without stress or discomfort to the elephant. Whether during routine check-ups, socialization, birthing or at nighttime, this training can greatly help mahouts, keepers and veterinarians give a higher standard of care to their elephants.

When we talk about tethers, it usually means chains or ropes. While chains may look menacing, there are many reasons that they are preferred to ropes: chains are strong, durable, easy to clean, able to be repaired without compromising the integrity of the tether and, when used properly, lower the risk of injuring the skin. Ropes do have a proper place in the restraining and training of animals, but for the purposes of this article, we will focus on the importance of chains in elephant management.

First and foremost, elephants in human care benefit from the use of chains because chains allow keepers to work more closely with the elephants. While an elephant may have a lifelong bond with and trust its keeper, it doesn’t necessarily feel that way about a veterinarian or government official who needs to perform an examination. Adding a restraint gives experts the opportunity to thoroughly interact with, examine and treat an elephant while maintaining safety for all involved.

Using chains is also important during transport[1]. Elephants weigh many tons and need the extra stabilization while in motion in a motor vehicle, just as people need seat belts. Imagine if four tons shifted suddenly and significantly while you were in a truck. That shift might cause a blown tire, broken axle or serious accident. Safety is the priority, so it’s important to make sure any transport goes smoothly, protecting the elephant and humans involved.

One-third of all Asian elephants on the planet are in human care. These elephants are often sold or traded, creating the need for assisted introductions.

Elephants need time to get to know one another, just like people. Keeping elephants separated by restraints during this crucial time allows them to share[2] the same space safely and to use chemical, audible and some tactile communication.

Elephant care is a 24/7 job—it’s like having a four-ton baby! Just as babies sleep in a crib, elephants need a degree of safeguarding at night to protect them from outside threats. Elephants in logging camps, tourist camps and even sanctuaries have the potential to get out of their enclosures. If they get loose and raid nearby crop fields, farmers might retaliate by trying to harm or kill them, a common problem in villages within range countries (the 13 southeast Asian countries where Asian elephants are found in the wild). An elephant may also wander into populated areas and cause an accident with a car, train or bus. Elephants are also susceptible to injury from wildlife snares. When there is no alternate enclosure or mahout supervision, tethering an elephant can save its life.

Tethering can also play an important role in herd dynamics. Some establishments have much different living quarters for their elephants than what you would see in Western facilities[3]. As an example, let’s look at Elephantstay in Ayutthaya, Thailand. It may be advantageous for them to chain up their cows during feeding time so that each elephant gets its portion. The dominant elephant won’t be able to steal other herd members’ food! Because elephants’ social structure within a herd is based on a linear dominance hierarchy[4], it is also necessary to mitigate any bullying that may occur when mahouts may not be present. Being able to safely separate elephants at night or during other times ensures that herd dynamics remain intact and there are no injuries from fighting.

One aspect of caring for elephants in captivity is providing a safe environment for bulls who are in musth[5]. When bull elephants are in musth, they have higher testosterone levels and can be dangerous to work with, posing a serious and lethal threat to other elephants, mahouts and people. Being able to restrain a bull during his musth period not only reduces his chance of being agitated by outside stimuli, but provides a safe way to maintain levels of care during this cycle.

With an endangered species like the Asian elephant, every baby is a valuable part of the survival of the species; therefore, it is our responsibility to make sure nothing goes wrong. For many seasoned elephant keepers, tethering your elephants is an essential part of the birthing process. There have been too many examples of loose, unassisted and/or herd births where the babies get injured or killed by hormonal, excited mothers. Chaining can help eliminate this risk and ensure a safe environment for mother, baby and mahouts[6].

Chains are a vital tool in the lives of elephants in human care. While some think that chains look inhumane, they are really just as normal as a leash for your dog. Without them, elephants and the people who care for them face many problems, perhaps even the loss of an elephant. It is imperative that we, as conservators of the species, seek out all avenues to provide the best for the elephants in our care.

The following article was written by Belynda Zolotto, assistant to the Communications Director at Elephantstay.  We chose to use her pieces because not only have we supported Elephantstay in the past during floods, but we feel that their explanation of practical and safe chain use in elephants is both succinct and easy to understand.  

Why the chains?
Elephantstay is a program for old and retired elephants and younger elephants that do not want to work. It is but one program operating at the Royal Elephant Kraal. At the Kraal, we have saved many killer and dangerous elephants and also we have successfully bred 58 baby elephants. We are involved in many various projects to help give elephants the best quality of life. This includes negotiating with the government for better laws to protect elephants and the people who work with them. We work under a registered Thai Foundation, Prakochaban. 

Read more about Elephantstay’s founder, Laithongrien Meepane

Laithongrien Meepan has been recognised with one of the highest awards possible in this country. Look at the history and culture of elephants and the evolution of life in Thailand and what that means for elephants today. Look at it from our point of view. Does anyone really think that we would allow pictures of an elephant tethered with a chain if we had something to hide?

Or if it was unnecessary? Or if it was cruel?

Anyone can come here and can see what we do and how we do it. Like life, it is a work in progress. Elephants are endangered, predictions are that they will be extinct in 20-50 years. Is that not THE MAJOR consideration? Sure we could put a few elephants in a field that get along and say look no chains aren't we just wonderful for doing that. But is that good enough for their continued future and existence? Is that going to save them from extinction? And what do we do with the others who are not going to get along? Do we just get rid of them?

The chain is a just a temporary tether. It means they can go everywhere to the river, for a walk, many places. It is nothing sinister. It is just a cheap practical way to keep elephants safe. Please try and walk in our shoes and see it from our point of view. See it from the point of view of people who are trying to ensure a future for these amazing animals before it is too late.

If elephants were not tethered they would be walking anywhere they want. They can destroy other people's trees, farmland, or orchards not knowing those are not for them to eat.

If they become a pest they can get killed or poisoned or injured or at the very least be resented. Human Elephant Conflict is the biggest threat facing elephants in the wild in Thailand. We can keep our domestic elephants safe from this.

Mother elephants are also chained while in the fenced areas because they can easily push the fence or climb over the fence and this causes distress for the baby. Which in turn causes distress of all the mothers and babies in the nursery.

Chains are necessary to keep the elephants safe from harming each other (not all elephants like each other) and other people, 
The advantages of chains over other means of tethering are overwhelming. Chains do not stretch or shrink with changes in heat or moisture. Chains are stronger than the alternatives. Chains, unlike rope or wire, are very unlikely to cause wounds and to get twisted up in knots or caught up in trees or rocks. Chains are very durable and last longer than the alternatives. They are easy to keep clean especially during the rainy season when it is muddy. They don’t stay wet so the elephant skin is unaffected by rubbing of wet material. They can easily be adjusted to size to fit properly.

Chains mean elephants can be easily moved around and can go anywhere, with their mahout. They can go to the river, or go outside the village to grassy areas and eat in different spots. They can go to work. Elephants can also have a visual presence in everyday life with their participation in festivals, parades and public events.

We have been flooded several times over the last 16 years because we are located on the Lopburi River. The chains meant we could relocate as many times as necessary quickly and easily. If the elephants were not used to chains and being moved around they would have suffered distress and the mahouts job would have been far more dangerous. 

Resources

[1] Olson, Deborah, Elephant Husbandry Resource Guide, https://elephantconservation.org/stay-informed/elephant-husbandry-resource-guide/ p. 220

[2] Olson, Deborah, Elephant Husbandry Resource Guide, https://elephantconservation.org/stay-informed/elephant-husbandry-resource-guide/ p. 67, 99, 143

[4] Wittemyer & Getz, “Hierarchical dominance structure and social organization in Lozodonta africana,” Animal Behavior 73, 2007 671-681

[5] Olson, Deborah, Elephant Husbandry Resource Guide, https://elephantconservation.org/stay-informed/elephant-husbandry-resource-guide/ p. 76

[6] Olson, Deborah, Elephant Husbandry Resource Guide, https://elephantconservation.org/stay-informed/elephant-husbandry-resource-guide/ p. 138