Elephants Elephants - Wildpro - Twycross Zoo

this time be used to the sight and sound of chains from the daily routine with
the adults, including its mother. The calf quickly gets used to the chain around
its leg and will accept this while the trainer is in close proximity, associating
both with food. The next phase is to clip the chain in place for progressively
longer periods. During this time the trainer stays with the calf and mother and
rewards and reassures both. The calf should see the restraint point and its
restraint time as a positive and enjoyable experience.
Once the calf will consistently performs all these behaviours, come when call,
raise its trunk on command, walk with the trainer and allow the front leg
restraint to be placed on either of its front legs the most difficult parts of the
training are done.
Fig. 4. The calf lifting its front foot on command for washing.
We have found that attaching the rear leg restraint is far easier to achieve than
the front. To do this a second handler uses a loop rope which they gently wrap
around the calf’s leg until it is desensitised to it. The calf is then encouraged to
lift its foot and the loop is placed around the calf’s ankle, but not attached to
the floor. A second handler gently applies a little pressure on the rope until
the calf gets desensitised to this feeling. The trainer stays at the head of the calf
to reassure the youngster. Once completely comfortable with this a chain can
gradually be used instead.
It is very import to reward the acceptance of restraint so that it is a positive
experience for the calf. It is also important that the calf has food in front of it
whilst restrained, ideally this should be leafy tree browse but hay is a
sufficient substitute.
During the training for restraint, the calf was also learning to raise its foot,
move over and move back to the commands “MOVE OVER” and “MOVE
BACK”. The command given to lift a foot is “FOOT” again with praise and
reward when the calf performs the desired behaviour. To assist the calf’s
understanding of what is required the hook is used. The correct hook position
for the command “FOOT” is placing gentle pressure on the back of the calf’s
foot. The essence of this is that the calf will move its foot away from the hook
lifting its foot up, the behaviour is rewarded heavily. The calf will quickly
associate the command with the required behaviour and reward. The
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