Visit Guwahati to learn how to handle jumbos

Zoo authorities in Assam are conducting a week-long training programme for zookeepers from northern region of the country to impart training in handling elephants.

Guwahati, Apr 29 : Zoo authorities in Assam are conducting a week-long training programme for zookeepers from northern region of the country to impart training in handling elephants.

Around 21 zookeepers from across 13 northern states are participating in the workshop.

Assam has a sizeable number of elephants and is the best place for conducting such training camps.

A group of experts were hired by the Assam zoo authorities to impart detailed training to the zookeepers in handling the jumbos.

"This is basically to develop the skill of the keeper, so that they can maintain the elephants in captivity in a proper way, in scientific way," said Narayan Mahanta, Deputy Forest Officer, Assam zoo.

The zookeepers could be seen listening attentively to the experts as they imparted information about the animal to them.

According to the experts, the traditional method of using force on the elephant to handle it, was giving way to a more sensitised manner of handling the animal by understanding its behaviour and body language.

"Earlier, people used force to tame and handle the animal. But, now the emphasis is on forming a relationship with the elephant and then controlling it," said Kaushik Baruah, an expert.

ANI