Photo Courtesy: nenews
Guwahati: Two elephant handlers from Assam’s Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve just earned the title of Master Mahout. Ramanuj Barla and Md. Alam Ali secured this recognition after finishing advanced training through the Australia-based H-ELP Foundation. They learned to handle captive-born calves using positive reinforcement and animal cognition strategies.
The duo now heads to the Chiang Mai Elephant Conservation Centre in Thailand. They will train international handlers there from October 29 to November 2. Sonali Ghosh, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Manas Tiger Reserve, praised the milestone. She noted, "their practical experience would contribute to international efforts to improve elephant care, welfare and management."
This achievement follows a seven-day training course held at Bansbari from September 24 to last Wednesday. The Wildlife Trust of India teamed up with the Field Directorate of Manas Tiger Reserve to host the event. Experts including Padma Shri awardee Parbati Barua, retired official Bhupendra Nath Talukdar, and WTI officer Bhaskar Choudhury led the sessions. The group included 27 total participants, featuring three visitors from Odisha.
Manas sits along the Bhutan border as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It protects tigers, rhinos, and hundreds of bird species. James Basumatary, Executive Member for Forest and Wildlife in the Bodoland Territorial Council, called the certification a victory for the entire department. The state continues to rely on mahouts and khasis for wildlife safety.
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