128 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 



during the wet weather. It may be built of corrugated iron, or planks 

 with old rail posts over a platform, and barricaded round, so that, if 

 necessary, the young animal can be kept loose inside the enclosure. 

 The attendant should remain near his charge at night, as otherwise 

 jackals and other nocturnal animals have been observed to cause young 

 elephants much fright and unrest ; he should, therefore, be allowed a 

 small hut at one end of the shed. Ordinarily an elephant should be 

 picketed by one of its hind feet, and to prevent injury to the skin being 

 caused by constant friction of the chain or rope, a piece of tough 

 leather or hide should be used as a leg protector. A healthy elephant 

 should be bathed at least once a day, and allowed to remain in the 

 water for about an hour ; while in the water it should be well rubbed 

 with jhama (vetrified brick) ; during the hot weather it should be 

 bathed twice a day. Young elephants should have some clothing at 

 nights during the cold season. To secure an elephant, fetters consisting 

 of one bandhan (chain), one beri (anklet), one noose, and some rope for 

 emergencies are enough for ordinary purposes. 



p 00 d. — A full-grown elephant requires 6 to 7 maunds of green 

 fodder daily. Various kinds of grass, especially ddl, green paddy 

 plants, &c, constitute its natural food. In Bengal elephants are chiefly 

 fed on leaves and branches of various kinds of fig trees ; it is, however, 

 recommended by the best authorities that they should, as much as 

 possible, be restricted to their natural diet consisting of various kinds 

 of grass. Elephants are very fond of sugarcane, which may always 

 be given with impunity. In captivity, 6 to 8 seers of uncooked 

 rice or dhan (paddy), with a little salt, and a few bundles of paddy 

 straw, should be daily allowed ; but it is most important to remember 

 that no amount of good feeding on rice, dhan, or any other nutritious 

 grain will compensate for a continued short allowance of fodder. In 

 most places in Bengal there is no difficulty in making an elephant bring 

 its own fodder ; besides a certain amount of saving in the maintenance 

 of the animal, it will serve the still more useful purpose of enabling 

 the animal to take some exercise daily. Young elephants between four 

 and six years old should receive about 3 maunds of fodder, and 

 about 3 to 5 seers of uncooked rice, a chittack of salt, and a small 

 quantity of goor occasionally : the green stock of the paddy plant is 

 the verv best fodder for such an animal ; failing this, they oan be fed 

 on sugarcane, dal grass, and leaves and twigs of the gulher (Ficus 

 qlomorata) and jack-trees ; on no account should they be fed on peepul, 

 especially when it is throwing out new leaves. Elephants should be 

 watered twice daily — once in the morning at about 9 a.m., and again 

 at about 5 p.m. The cost of keeping a full-grown elephant, including 

 the wages of a competent attendant, amounts to Es. 30 to Es. 35 per 

 month, and that of a younger animal Es. 20 to Rs. 25. 



Transport. — A young elephant must not be made to swim large 

 rivers unless accompanied by at least one adult animal, and in charge 

 of an' experienced attendant. When conveyed by rail, it should be 

 accommodated in a cattle waggon, and the attendant should travel 

 with it, as otherwise the whistling, jolting, and the general commotion 

 will frighten the animal greatly. When transported by ship, a suitable 

 box may be provided, but in such a case the animal must be 



