A Story for those Readers who like Elephants — Part Two.
I was awake at 5.30 this morning. After an invigorating shower, I put on my blue overalls, tied a sash around my waist, and donned my white bell-shaped hat. The uniform I would be wearing as I experience being a Thai mahout for the day.
The first challenge was getting on my tall and heavy elephant. Fortunately, Naam was in cooperative mood. One command of sawng soo and she raised her foot so that I could mount and sit astride her neck, my legs behind her ears. Naam is well over two metres in height.
Moving and changing direction are achieved using a combination of verbal commands and applying pressure to the sensitive parts near the elephant’s head. A firm, though not in any way vicious, kick behind the left ear made Naam turn to the right. It was not difficult to learn the basic aids or commands though they must be given in a strong voice and with determination.
It is said that a good mahout does not need to use the sharp metal hook to control his charge. However, I have never seen a mahout without one. In any case, the hook is not used as a punishment. The foot-long instrument enables the mahout to reach the pressure points which control the elephant’s movements.
A mahout stays with the same elephant throughout his life and a bond and mutual trust develops. When the animal is in “must” and sexually aroused, or when a female beast is with her calf, great care must be taken.
It is rare, but not unknown, for an experienced mahout to be killed by an elephant who has been with its keeper for maybe 40 or 50 years. Elephants are wild animals and should be respected as such.
Naam loved being bathed and it was difficult to imagine she could get violent quickly. I had no such problems with her during the whole day. She immersed herself (and me) several times in the water to get the dust off her body. She used her trunk to spray water on her back.
We ambled back to camp, Naam stopping occasionally to pick up food with her trunk while I admired some of Thailand’s breath-taking views from my high vantage point.
I will not forget Naam. I’m looking forward to spending another fun, (sanuk), day with her soon.
