Candi's Corner: Wanderlust and Passions

The Thai elephant belongs to the mainland subspecies of the Asian elephant, Elephas maximus.

The life cycle of the elephant begins with a 22-month gestation period.

From the time of its birth up until the age of 4-5 years, the elephant is categorised as "an infant or child". As is the case with human beings, the initial 3-4 years in the life of a baby elephant are its critical years. A baby elephant is totally dependent on its mother's milk for nourishment and survival. Important nutrients in the mother's milk, particularly calcium and phosphorus ensure that the growing elephant develops strong bones. Vital antibodies needed to build up the calf's immunity and resistance to fight off diseases are also transferred from the mother to the baby elephant through the milk. Calves that are weaned too early and separated from the mother earlier than 3 years of age often manifest symptoms of bone disease, and seldom survive.

From between 14 to 60 years, the elephant becomes a "working adult" and at approximately the age of 60, the elephant is "retired" from work. The average life expectancy of an elephant is 55 years. An adult elephant needs a lot of food - equivalent to about 6 to 8% of its body weight each day. A full-grown 40-year old male weighs approximately 4,000 kg (8,800 pounds) and thus needs 250-300 kg of food every day. A baby elephant which weighs 80 to 100 kg (176-220 pounds) at birth, needs to eat the equivalent of 8 to 10% of its steadily increasing body weight.

Elephants sleep only about 4-5 hours per night, mostly standing (like horses), with only an hour or two lying on its side. If an elephant sleeps on its side for much longer, it is a good indication that the animal is sick.

Source: Treasure Our Elephants-Foundation for the Conservation of Northern Elephants

There has been a long history of the domestication of elephants and through the centuries, these graceful creatures have been an integral part of the Thai way of life. From the beginning of Thai history, elephants have nobly and faithfully served both kings and commoners in war and in commerce.

Considered to be an auspicious creature, the elephant's association with the three key institutions of the country — nation, religion and king, through the centuries, led to its elevation to the status of national symbol.

Regarded as the symbol of prosperity and power, and grace, befitting that of a monarch, in ancient times, elephants were used as mounts in times of war. The more elephants a king possessed, the more powerful he was perceived to be. Additionally, the Thai kings of the Central Plains had embraced the concept of "Divine Kingship" to strengthen their rule by divine association and had adopted rituals and practices of Brahmin and Hindu origin. The use of elephants in royal ceremonies and rituals still prevails today. White elephants or Chang Samkhan, symbolic of the king, are still considered to be auspicious animals and are especially prized.

Historically, elephants were principally involved in the transportation of people and goods. While there are endless accounts of legendary "war elephants" at the service of the kings of Siam, only a few of the finest elephants were trained for combat and served in the first line of attack. Most were used solely for transport.

Elephants are also prominently featured in Buddhist art, architecture and sculpture. The concept of reincarnation is a central to Buddhism. When one life ends, the soul enters another body to be born again. Prior to his life as Buddha, in one of his past lives, the Buddha-to-be (Bodhisattva) was re-born as a Noble Elephant. The mention of elephants appear in several accounts of the life of the historical Buddha as well as in the collection of "Jataka" tales recounting stories of his previous lives. Such beliefs are the origins of the Thai tradition of showing kindness and compassion to large animals (sat yai) such as elephants by making merit and performing charitable acts such as offering donations and food. It is believed that one earns much merit from such acts of kindness. These deep-rooted beliefs have in some ways contributed to its survival to the present day.

As soon as the young elephant is weaned at the about three years, it begins life as a domesticated elephant under the care of its keeper — the mahout. Hence other than its mother, the mahout is the next most important influence in an elephant's life.

In times past, being a mahout was deemed to be a noble profession. According to the dictionary published by Thai Royal Institute, the mahout is defined as being a person who drives, takes care of and controls elephants. Traditionally, life-time or career mahouts were knowledgeable, highly experienced individuals well-versed in elephant-rearing skills. These were true masters with an intimate understanding of their 'wards'. Men who possessed an exceptional ability to communicate and control their elephants with simple verbal commands and touch.

The relationship between the career mahout and his elephant often goes back a long way to their respective childhood days. In rural communities, where elephants have been kept by a family for generations, age-old knowledge and skills in the care and control of elephants are passed down from father to son. At the same time, generations of elephants are born into the family unit. As man and elephant depend on each other, the elephant is treated as a member of the 'family'. Young boys and baby elephants grow up together with the young boys given an opportunity to work with the family elephants, preparing them for what becomes a lifetime with one particular animal. A life-long bond is forged. The relationship is based on affection and complete trust in one individual. The elephant is very loyal to its mahout.

A mahout and his elephant ideally maintain a life-long relationship that ends only with the mahout's death or when the elephant is sold.

There is a saying among career mahouts that being a mahout is like being married to an elephant for life. Mahouts rise early at dawn to escort the elephant into forested areas in search of food. At the end of the day, as the sun sets, the elephant is escorted back to forested areas for the night. For some mahouts who travel around in search of work and food for man and elephant, out of a month, the mahout spends 26 days with his elephant, and four with the family.

Eight weeks till Thailand!

Note: Above photo credit to Wikimedia.