ELEPEAN T-CAPTURING OPERATIONS. ' 135 



top of the pit. The results speak for themselves ; not a single animal has since 

 been injured in the face, although two of the latest captures are the largest 

 animals caught since operations were commenced. 



The removal of a capture to the kraals, which are within two or three 

 miles from the pits, is a very simple matter, provided everything is in readiness 

 beforehand. The size of the animal's neck is estimated and a peg is put in the 

 rope so as to prevent the noose going smaller than the neck-size as estimated. 

 This noose is then thrown over the elephant's neck and pulled tight to the 

 peg, the end of the rope being bound round a neighbouring tree ; next, one of 

 the elephant's hind legs is noosed, and the end of this rope, too, is for the time 

 being, bound round a neighbouring tree. The neck rope at the peg then has to 

 be tied with twine or fibre to prevent the noose being loosened by the 

 elephant. This operation is, taking it all round, the most risky one connected 

 with the capture. But if proper care is taken there is nothing to fear. 



The pit is then filled up by means of billets of wood being thrown in, and 

 as the animal rises nearer the surface of the ground, the two ropes fastening 

 him are pulled tighter around the trees. Eventually he gets out of the pit 

 somewhat fatigued ; the ropes which secure him are then fastened to two tame 

 elephants and the animals are marched in single file (the captured one being, 

 of course, in the middle) to the kraal and all the ropes are removed. He is 

 watered three times a day and soon made tame by kindness, given sugarcane, 

 etc. Somewhat large animals are generally in the kraal 3 months before they 

 can be taken out ; the little ones of 4 ft. or Sf feet high, however, I have 

 removed within 3 weeks of capture. 



The work of capturing elephants is an exceedingly interesting one, and 

 only needs care and constant supervison to render it successful ; and certainly 

 the more one has to do with these animals the more one is bound to recognise 

 what intelligent useful beasts they are. Having left the South Coimbatore 

 District, I regret much that, for some time at least, i shall have no connec- 

 tion with this kind of work entrusted to forest officers. 



H. B. BRYANT. 

 Palamcottah, 



Tinnevelly Division. 



