Elephants Elephants - Wildpro - Twycross Zoo

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pushing the trainer is responded to by with a sharp “NO”. If necessary this is
re-enforced by a sharp smack on the trunk from the trainers hook handle,
especially if any aggression is shown by the calf. This system of reward for
desired behaviour and a negative response to inappropriate behaviour is set
up early in the calf life and teaches the calf what is acceptable and what is
unacceptable behaviour around keepers. This can be established very
compassionately as the most import thing is to build a positive and strong
trusting relationship between the trainer and the calf. Once this relationship is
established the calf will be eager to please the trainer making its training much
easier.
At his stage the calf can be encouraged to move with the trainer. The
command “TRUNK” is given and when the calf performs the task is rewarded
until the response is consistently performed. The trainer can then ask the calf
to lift its trunk and hold the trunk to encourage the calf to walk with the
trainer by gently guiding it. A second handler can follow behind the calf to
assist in this. The calf is led around in this way gradually building up the
duration and distance covered. As the hook is introduced to initiate forward
movement the trunk no longer needs to be held to guide the calf.
Fig. 2. The calf walking alongside the trainer.
The next step is to lead to calf to the area
designated for its restraint. On arrival at the
restraint point the calf is rewarded. The calf very
soon associates the restraint point with a positive
reward. The trainer begins to prepare the calf for
restraint. This is done along side the mother,
keeping stress for both animals to a minimum.
Fig. 3. The use of a looped rope to
desensitise the calf to restraint.
Once the calf is calm and comfortable at its restraint point, a chain is gently
placed around its leg with a large reward given for acceptance. The calf will at