A new generation of kumki elephants are being trained to take the weighty responsibility of being involved in operations against wild pachyderms.
Four young captive elephants from the Theppakadu Elephant Camp are among the seven elephants that are getting trained in kumki operations at the elephant camp in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR), with a long-term view to replacing the current group of kumkis that are nearing retirement.
The four elephants — Giri, Krishna, Srinivas and Bomman — all between 15 and 22 years of age, have been receiving training at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp, along with three elephants from Kerala, for the last one month.
Speaking to The Hindu , S. Muthuramalingam, Forester, Theppakadu Elephant Camp, said that the four experienced kumki elephants — Mudumalai, Wasim, Vijay and Sujay — currently being used in operations to chase away, capture or rescue wild elephants, were fast nearing retirement. Training was being given to the four younger elephants, so that they become capable enough to eventually replace their older counterparts.
“Mudumalai, in particular, is almost 55 years old, and the retirement age for a camp elephant is 58. So the next generation of camp elephants, as well as their mahouts, require the training to take over from the current generation,” said Mr. Muthuramalingam.
Of the four elephants currently being trained, Bomman, said to be around 18 years old, has assisted in kumki operations before. “We are getting him and the three other elephants acclimatise with each other, so that they can work together as a team,” added Mr. Muthuramalingam.
Six young mahouts are also being given training to look after and handle the four Theppakadu elephants by M. Maran, a senior mahout.
Deputy Director of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Core Area) S. Senbagapriya said that the four seasoned kumkis at Theppakadu were all above 45 years of age and all seven elephants being trained at Theppakadu were at the perfect age to be trained to become kumkis.
The training will continue for another two months.
