A four-day Training and Skill Enhancement Workshop for mahouts and elephant handlers was successfully held at Kaziranga National Park Tiger Reserve from November 16th to 19th, 2025. The workshop, hosted at the Kohora, Mihimukh venue, was organized by Kaziranga Park authorities with the aim of improving the welfare of captive elephants, advancing best care practices and strengthening the skills of mahouts. A total of 200 Mahouts and Ghasis both of department and private elephant owners were trained and sensitised during the unique training as the timing was such so to not interfere with the usual upkeep of the elephants. Uniform set and winter wear was also distributed to the Mahouts by the Park Authority.
The event featured a rich agenda with technical sessions and practical demonstrations. Mahouts participated in in-depth discussions led by leading resource persons, including Mr. Bhupendra Nath Talukdar (renowned elephant expert),Dr. Bhaskar Choudhury, Dr. Saurabh Borgohain, Dr. Bishwajit Barua and practical demonstration by on-field mahouts Kiran Rabha and Kasem Ali.
Key topics covered were:
• Elephant biology, physiology, age estimation, and natural behaviours in both wild and captive environments.
• Social organization of elephants, handling of calves, pregnancy and parturition, as well as early identification and management of musth (periods of heightened male aggression).
• Preventive healthcare measures, disease recognition, wound management, and detailed sessions on personal hygiene for mahouts.
• Feeding and nutrition management, focusing on optimal dietary regimes for elephant health and wellbeing.
• Thermoregulation and seasonal care routines, especially relating to bathing, skin care, and foot care, accompanied by live demonstrations of nail trimming and foot problem prevention.
• Safe and effective use of tools and gear relevant to mahout responsibilities, with hands-on guidance in rope and equipment maintenance.
Panel discussions with experts and Kaziranga officials addressed major challenges faced in daily management of elephants, as well as new developments and skill requirements for mahouts. Participating mahouts also engaged in open discussions about their experiences and traditional knowledge, enriching the workshop with locally grounded insights.This initiative was part of Kaziranga’s continued commitment to enhancing field capacity for wildlife management and visitor safety, in line with improved conservation and tourism standards at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The workshop concluded with expressions of appreciation for the participating mahouts and experts, recognizing their crucial role in animal welfare and conservation within Kaziranga National Park.
