Elephants Elephants - Wildpro - Twycross Zoo

• In FC positive and negative reinforcement and punishment are used; in
PC positive reinforcement is used with rewards of favoured foods or
social reinforcers, physical discipline is never used.
• In FC keepers enforce compulsory compliance from the elephant with
the use of the ankus; in PC animals are trained with a target and
compliance is voluntary.
• In FC a whistle is never used. Verbal commands are the norm; in PC a
whistle is used as a bridge and to terminate a behaviour, although
verbal commands may also be used.
There has been confusion over the difference in the two methods. Helpful
FAQs are listed by Priest (1994) and Desmond & Laule (1993) point out the
dangers of mixing the two systems by using free contact techniques in a
confined contact setting, continuing with the use of the ankus. This can create
the impression that the trainer is trying to dominate the animal when he is no
longer in a position to so do and this can be dangerous. However, under
certain circumstances an ankus can be used and the institution should
document the scenarios when the use of the ankus is beneficial and useful.
The elephant needs to be in a small area when the ankus is used in protected
contact as the technique will not work when the animal can move away, i.e.
the ankus can only be used when the elephant is in a chute (Fig. 11, b).
It is probably preferable to consider elephant management as being a
continuum from no contact to elephants being walked outside their enclosures
by handlers in a free contact situation. Between the management techniques
of a handler working in contact with the elephant to the handler working only
through or behind a barrier there are a range of methods used
There are also a variety of barriers used in management. None are completely
safe and training of staff re positioning in relation to the barrier is of vital
importance. Some barriers allow physical contact to differing degrees
between elephant and keeper. In some cases the elephant can physically
interact with the keeper. In this case the elephant can easily injure the handler
and strict safety and training protocols have to be adhered to. It is generally
agreed that it is easier to manage an elephant through a barrier if it has
previously been directly handled (i.e. in a free contact system).
Since the PC system was introduced, elephant management and training has
developed into a continuum of management techniques, which vary in the
amount of, direct or potentially direct, physical contact that is allowed
between elephant and handler. Within a facility different variations of the
continuum may be used based on the disposition and sex of the elephant and
the handler’s level of training or relationship to a particular elephant. The
management technique, or techniques within the continuum, that a collection
uses is important but more important is the ability of the handlers to safely
achieve or exceed the established minimum standards of elephant care.
In some cases the elephant can physically interact with the handler, with
differing degrees, through barriers. Reasons given for this are: temperament
of the elephant, the ability of the handler to use the additional techniques and
tools, opportunity to demonstrate affection and greater ability for research
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