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Elephant Training, Transparency & Safety

River crossing on elephant safari
 
Elephant safari guests take a drinks break
Tswale with Kwa Madwala grooms
Rangers interaction with Modjadji
On safari with Modjadji & Tswale

Click on images to enlarge

Tswale and Modjadji have been extensively trained up in the Limpopo Province by Rory Hensmann and his wife Lindie, who have many years experience of working with African elephants in southern Africa. They worked originally in Zimbabwe training and domesticating rogue, orphaned and misplaced elephants and their training techniques are now widely practised by fellow elephant experts.

As one would expect the training methods used are very kind and gentle, with no cruelty involved. Bodies such as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have carte blanche to check and monitor the training process. Indeed anybody arriving at the Elephants for Africa Forever (EFAF) property is welcome to see the elephants and inspect their conditions on the ground. Likewise we at Kwa Madwala welcome visits from any animal welfare groups and are totally transparent in our operations.

This process starts off at the elephant orphanage where the initial selection and training takes place before relocation of the elephants. Once selected the elephants are taken out of the herd so that they can be introduced to a "conditioning" or training process. Sub-adult elephants aged between 9 and 13 years are the easiest to train and most suitable for learning.

The aim throughout all the training is to achieve the animal’s trust and then through a system of command and reward, the elephant is coerced into responding to different verbal instructions. The aim is to get the elephant responding to approximately eighty (80) different visual and sound commands. This might sound naive, but at all times we want the elephant to be elephant, and behave like an elephant, albeit under human supervision.

Vital to the operation of the elephant back safari programme are the grooms, who are well versed in elephant training techniques, and who have fostered a caring bond between handler and the elephant which is based on trust over a long period.

Once this trust is obtained, the elephant really starts to enjoy the interaction with humans, and responds in a very positive manner. The aim is to get the elephant to realize that the human is there to look after it and supply it with the necessary security, food and water to enable it to be very comfortable in its environment. Of course getting the animal to respond correctly to 80 commands takes time and perseverance. Only once the elephant has passed its "exams" carried out by the National Parks Board in conjunction with EFAF can the elephant be considered safe and suitable for elephant back safaris.

The potential for damage, injury and loss of life to both man and elephant alike in an environment involving domesticated elephants, tourists and African wildlife combined is considerable. For this reason strict safety and security measures must be implemented and enforced.

Security

Elephants are extremely valuable in terms of money, not to mention the emotional attachment which develops between the elephants and their human companions. They are therefore managed in a secure environment that will prevent the elephants from either deliberately or inadvertently leaving their compound or the reserve. Almost nothing can stop a six tonne elephant from running away if it chooses to do so, and by virtue of the fact that they are domesticated, this is a very rare occasion. If however, a domesticated elephant if separated from its fellow elephants and human grooms may well result in the loss of that elephant.

To minimize the risks, the following systems are implemented:

a) All elephants are stabled securely at night and given sufficient food and water. (This is the major reason for elephants trying to get out at night.)

b) At least three of the supervisors are accommodated at the elephant enclosure.

c) There is 24 hour communication via VHF radios between the elephant enclosure and supervisor’s accommodation.

d) The GM, Operations Supervisor and Head Groom have handheld radios at all times.

e) At least one groom and one other staff member shall accompany the elephants during their free-range time and a handheld radio will be carried at all times.

f) Safaris are in command of a senior game ranger who carries at all times a high calibre rifle and VHF radio.

Safety

Our aim at Kwa Madwala is to eliminate any possibility of an accident resulting in injury or worse to any staff member or guest. In order to achieve this we apply the following rules:

a) No guests or member of the public, regardless of office or position is permitted to enter the elephant operations area unaccompanied. Entry is only permitted to persons when accompanied be a member of the Kwa Madwala elephant team

b) No guest or member of the public is permitted to approach an elephant, unless accompanied by a member of the Kwa Madwala elephant team.

c) Any guest or member of the public who is suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be permitted in the elephant enclosure.

d) All guests will be given a thorough safety briefing and will sign an indemnity form prior to making contact with the elephants.

e) Any guest or member of the public who does not comply with the instructions of the Kwa Madwala staff will be asked to leave the elephant enclosure.

Elephant Managers and Owners Association

Kwa Madwala Private Game Reserve is a registered member of the African Elephant Managers and Owners Association – EMOA

EMOA incorporates elephant owners and managers and other interested persons into a single association that promotes, monitors and advises on all aspects of elephant management, conservation and welfare. Membership of EMOA provides the opportunity to become part of a network between elephant owners, scientists, specialists and conservation bodies. Members are given the opportunity to participate in workshops and are kept updated by newsletters and meetings aimed at enhancing broader knowledge and awareness of elephant issues. Members are also encouraged to play an active role and have input into policies, strategies and legislation concerning elephant conservation and welfare.


The mission statement of the Elephant Management and Owners Association, EMOA, is "to promote and monitor the conservation, protection and welfare of the African elephant".

Further Information on Elephant Back Safaris