The above video explains a little bit about what causes an elephant to become unpredictable, but actually there is much more to it than that.
At one camp where I worked, there were some 80 plus elephants, so while caring for a wonderful female, I was in a position to observe much on elephant behaviour.
During must, several incidents occurred. One bull managed to break away from his chains during his oncoming must and savagely attacked another bull with his trunk and tusks. This happened around 9pm, well after the day was over. After successfully re-chaining up the bull by several mahouts, we went to inspect the damage. The injured bull was on his side with his intestines hanging out. A vet was immediately called, intravenous drips were applied and any other first aid we could provide to make the elephant more comfortable until the vet arrived. Until the vet's arrival almost 3 hours had passed and it was obvious that our injured friend was in a lot of pain. Tires were placed under his head in addition to the drips. However, lying down for long periods of time is dangerous to the elephant, because this puts too much pressure on the heart and lungs.
Once the vet arrived, he had to cut off a large section of the intestines, which were ripped beyond repair.
What could be saved was stitched up. Massive doses of antibiotics and other medicine were required to keep the elephant out of danger and lessen his pain.
The whole camp was on their toes, trying to help this bull!! The next morning, he still wasn't able to get on his feet and that was the sign of danger. We eventually got a crane to him with a sling. The best the mahouts could do was to get him to sit up. This was enough for us to get the sling on him. He was then lifted to a standing position in the sling.
The sling is another problem if it is used for long. Sores develope, similar to bedsores in humans that are lying down in bed all the time. With this bull we didn't have to wait that long. He was slipping and there was nothing anybody could do to save him. He died only a few hours later. Everyone was sad.
The owner of the camp is a Buddhist and followed the Buddhist death ritual for elephants.
After a grave was dug by a crane and the elephant was placed inside his grave, he would be covered with a decorative blanket, used for elephant shows and special occasions. Insense sticks and candles would be lit for him and food that he enjoyed would be placed in the grave with him.
In this elephant's case, 7 monks arrived to chant "Apitam" for his spirit to find peace and not be vengeful in his death. A white string, which Buddhists call "sin" is tied to the elephant's tusk and is held by everyone present. After the monks have left, the blanket is removed together with the elephant's tusks, part of his trunk and his testicles. The grave is then filled in with dirt. That is pretty much a lucky elephant's funeral.
Lucky because he was owned by a staunch Buddhist who gave elephants the rites they deserved.
The elephant is the only animal award this honor because Buddhists believe that they are a very high form of incarnation.
At one camp where I worked, there were some 80 plus elephants, so while caring for a wonderful female, I was in a position to observe much on elephant behaviour.
During must, several incidents occurred. One bull managed to break away from his chains during his oncoming must and savagely attacked another bull with his trunk and tusks. This happened around 9pm, well after the day was over. After successfully re-chaining up the bull by several mahouts, we went to inspect the damage. The injured bull was on his side with his intestines hanging out. A vet was immediately called, intravenous drips were applied and any other first aid we could provide to make the elephant more comfortable until the vet arrived. Until the vet's arrival almost 3 hours had passed and it was obvious that our injured friend was in a lot of pain. Tires were placed under his head in addition to the drips. However, lying down for long periods of time is dangerous to the elephant, because this puts too much pressure on the heart and lungs.
Once the vet arrived, he had to cut off a large section of the intestines, which were ripped beyond repair.
What could be saved was stitched up. Massive doses of antibiotics and other medicine were required to keep the elephant out of danger and lessen his pain.
The whole camp was on their toes, trying to help this bull!! The next morning, he still wasn't able to get on his feet and that was the sign of danger. We eventually got a crane to him with a sling. The best the mahouts could do was to get him to sit up. This was enough for us to get the sling on him. He was then lifted to a standing position in the sling.
The sling is another problem if it is used for long. Sores develope, similar to bedsores in humans that are lying down in bed all the time. With this bull we didn't have to wait that long. He was slipping and there was nothing anybody could do to save him. He died only a few hours later. Everyone was sad.
The owner of the camp is a Buddhist and followed the Buddhist death ritual for elephants.
After a grave was dug by a crane and the elephant was placed inside his grave, he would be covered with a decorative blanket, used for elephant shows and special occasions. Insense sticks and candles would be lit for him and food that he enjoyed would be placed in the grave with him.
In this elephant's case, 7 monks arrived to chant "Apitam" for his spirit to find peace and not be vengeful in his death. A white string, which Buddhists call "sin" is tied to the elephant's tusk and is held by everyone present. After the monks have left, the blanket is removed together with the elephant's tusks, part of his trunk and his testicles. The grave is then filled in with dirt. That is pretty much a lucky elephant's funeral.
Lucky because he was owned by a staunch Buddhist who gave elephants the rites they deserved.
The elephant is the only animal award this honor because Buddhists believe that they are a very high form of incarnation.
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