TDB’s move to reshuffle mahouts triggers row; activists raise alarm

A latest directive by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to reshuffle mahouts across temple elephants has stirred alarm among Kerala’s animal rights activists.

A circular issued by the Devaswom Commissioner mandates the transfer of seven mahouts across five elephants, following recommendations from the Thiruvananthapuram Deputy Devaswom Commissioner and the Devaswom Veterinary Doctor. For instance, the two mahouts currently assigned to Malayankeezhu Vallabhan, an elephant under the TDB Neyyattinkara group, will be reassigned to two different elephants in the Varkala group with new handlers appointed to take over Vallabhan’s care.

Other elephants affected by the reshuffle include Sharkara Chandrashekharan, Thiruvarattukavu Kalidasan, Parassala Sivasankaran, and Thrikkadavoor Shivaraju.

The Heritage Animal Task Force, a voluntary organisation advocating for animal rights, has lodged a formal complaint with the Forest Department opposing the decision. They argue that abrupt changes in mahout-elephant pairings can negatively impact the animals’ health and well-being.

“It is well known that whenever a new mahout takes charge of an elephant, the animal has to undergo intense physical and psychological stress in order to be subdued and made obedient,” said V.K. Venkitachalam, secretary of the organisation. “Many of these elephants have a history of aggression and have fatally attacked mahouts in the past. Sudden changes in handlers only increase the risk to both the mahouts and the public, especially while being paraded in festivals.”

According to him, the race among mahouts to handle elephants with larger fan bases and better earning potential often invites political interference in transfer decisions.

‘Bond of trust’

Commenting on the issue, Dr. Rajiv T.S., director of the Elephant Study Centre under the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, too emphasised the importance of building a strong bond of trust between a mahout and an elephant.

“A mahout is essentially the first master of the elephant. This relationship is not built in a day, it takes years of mutual understanding and bonding,” he explained. “Transferring an elephant to a new mahout overnight can result in negative reinforcement and behavioural issues.”

However, Dr. Rajiv also acknowledged that in certain circumstances, such as disciplinary issues involving mahouts, a reshuffle might become necessary. “But unnecessary or poorly thought-out transfers endanger not just the mahouts, but also the public,” he warned.