96 



CHAPTER IX. 



THE MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF ELEPHANTS. 



elephants' attendants — MISMANAGEMENT OF THEIR CHARGES — CHIEF AILMENTS OF 

 ELEPHANTS — KINDS OF FODDER — GRASS — BRANCHES— UNDER-FED ELEPHANTS — THE 

 ELEPHANT FEEDS CONSTANTLY IN ITS WILD STATE — ALLOWANCE OF FODDER TO 

 GOVERNMENT ELEPHANTS IN BENGAL AND MADRAS — REMARKS ON THE ABOVE SCALES 

 — THE AMOUNT AN ELEPHANT WILL EAT. 



THE proper management of the elephants attached to the military and 

 other departments in India is a subject of much importance, both 

 financially and from a humane point of view. It is, however, unfortunately 

 a matter but little understood by the European officers of the various 

 departments, who are almost entirely dependent upon their elei)hants' 

 native attendants for information on the subject. These men are rascals 

 more often than not, and all are invariably grossly superstitious and igno- 

 rant. Captain Forsyth, in his Higlilands of Central India, notes their mak- 

 ing their elephants swallow pieces of tigers' liver to give them courage in 

 hunting ; and the eyes of the owl, torn from the living bird, to enable them 

 to see well in the dark ! 



It would be out of place in this book to offer any detailed suggestions 

 for improving the management of elephants ; but a few general remarks on 

 the subject may be of use to some who have the charge of them, but have 

 not had opportunities of familiarising themselves with the requirements of 

 the animals. Such should bear in mind that almost all elephants' attend- 

 ants are guided in their conduct by two great juinciples — namely, to spare 

 themselves as much work as possible, and to make as much as they can out 

 of their elephants' allowance of rice or other grain. They also invariably 

 make their charges' comfort and convenience subservient to their own, and 

 tliough they arc rarely wantonly cruel, they subject tlieir animals to nnu'h 

 passive inhumanity, which a little supervision from those over tliem luiglit 



