manmusth

In Kerala, an extensive study was conducted, to understand the phenomenon of musth in elephants. Musth is a physiological phenomena, occurring annually in male, Asian elephants. Physiological changes are accompanied by change in behaviour as well. It was observed that, musth occurred more regularly, in well nourished elephants, between the age group of 21- 80 years. Moda or adolescent musth was observed in elephants of age group 15-20 years. The average duration observed was1-2 months. There was an exceptional case of 5 month duration, in one bull.

Musth occurs mostly in the cold season, the month of December, in Kerala. Musth period is divided into three phases: pre-musth, mid-musth or violent musth and post-musth. Musth is a very dangerous period for handling. Elephants become aggressive and become out of control and cause damage to life and property. Musth management in captivity, has always been a problem. However, by taking some precautionary measures, it is possible to overcome this problem. Some measures are discussed below.

It is essential to chain or restrict the elephant's movements during musth on account of the violent behaviour. The chains have to be tested for their condition. The musth elephant is chained both by the hind and front legs. One of the fore legs is chained to any tree or a pillar in the front. This arrangement makes it safer for the mahout. He can approach the elephant from behind, to clean the tethering area, and also to move the chain from one leg to another
Elephants may pull and fiddle with their chains during musth. They do not do this when they are not in musth. Therefore, special musth chains must be used. It is ideal to use a chain or fetter with 7/8" diameter links. The chains also must be fitted with ' U ' shaped clamps with strong screws. There must be a distance of 2 feet, 60 cms between the tethering pole and elephant's hind leg. The chains and fastenings must be double checked.
It is also sensible to keep spare chains, for emergency. A circular loop called the thirukanni (a ball and socket like joint) should be present on the chain. This allows the chain to twist without breaking.
During musth, elephants have to be chained for long periods, until it becomes safe for mahouts to handle. Thus the elephant may develop chain sores from prolonged chaining. Mahouts must attempt to move the chains up and down the leg, with a long pole. He must stand behind the elephant to do this. It may not be possible to do so with every elephant, as some may grab the stick or charge at the mahout. So chain sores, during musth , are inevitable. Some elephants on the contrary, remain docile and allow chains to be transferred, from one leg to another.
The mahout must check the strength of the tree to which the elephant is to be tethered. The surroundings must be clean and hygienic. The tree must be large enough to provide plenty of shade
Elephants must be left alone during musth. They are agitated by the slightest noise, from traffic or people.
A water tank, with constant supply of running water, must be provided. It must be placed at a distance reachable to the elephant's trunk. The tank must not be too close to the elephant, as it may destroy it.
The elephant must be showered with water at least once a day, to cool it.
The tethering site must be on a slight incline to facilitate drainage of urine and dung.
The mahout must be present in the vicinity, throughout the musth period.

I. Pre-musth-Symptoms

Engorgement of temporal glands.
Discharge observed at the temporal gland openings. This initial discharge is a dirty brown, viscous fluid, with a strong smell. This fluid may sometimes block the temporal opening or the opening may be too small to allow free flow of fluid. Both these conditions, are very uncomfortable to the elephant . It may scratch the region with a twig or any other sharp object. This may injure the area and cause an abscess. The gland on that side may stop secreting fluid and will have to be operated. On noticing signs of discomfort due to blockage, the mahout must assist the flow, by squeezing out the fluid.
The perineal region, below the tail, enlarges. This is a very obvious symptom.
The penis will emerge to its full length and elephant will masturbate frequently. The penis strikes against the stomach, resulting in ejaculation of seminal fluid. Sometimes the penis emerges into its full length and trails on the ground. The mahouts may have to prop it up with a cloth, to prevent abrasions.
Urine dribbles constantly.
Elephant exhibits a tendency to gore any moving or non moving object that catches its attention. There is an intense feeling of vengeance towards mahouts. The assistant mahouts must be careful while approaching the elephant. Many ignorant mahouts are unaware of the danger. They get killed or severely injured, while approaching the elephant during this period.

II. Mid or violent musth-Symptoms

Initial phase of violent musth

The secretion of fluid is slow and it is viscous in nature.
Behaviour continues to be unruly. It disobeys commands and will react violently on hearing mahout’s voice.
The body is stretched, taut and stiff. The trunk is extended forwards as if reaching out for something. The ears are spread out as if listening intently for sounds.

Middle phase of violent musth:

The temporal fluid flows faster (like tear drops) and has a pungent odour like that of gun powder, and can be recognised from a distance.
Some elephants may have a red colour around the temporal region.
Behaviour continues to be aggressive. The trunk is beaten on the ground as an indication of discontent and anger.
Tendency to pull more violently at chains and tethers.
Lack of appetite. Some elephants are offered palatable foods like banana and curd rice during these times.

Final phase of violent musth:

This phase may last for a month.
The glands reduce in size and the flow of the musth fluid subsides
Normal urination with protrusion of penis.
The elephant becomes less aggressive and violent and may even start obeying commands.

III. Post musth:

This is the final stage of Musth
The gland is regressed and flow of fluid stops completely
Urination is normal
The behaviour reverts to normal.
Mahouts must be continue to be careful while handling. The elephant must have restraining chains on its body, while being moved around, right after musth.

Return to top of page

HANDLING MUSTH ELEPHANTS

A.K. Ponnappan

Musth is a special condition in an elephant, where it exhibits violent tendencies. It is believed that during musth, an elephant remembers its days in the wilderness, and longs for freedom.

Some general symptoms of musth are mentioned below.

Loss of appetite
Temporal gland swells up.
Even before the musth fluid is secreted, tiny seed like particles are exuded out of the temporal gland, during a scrub bath. This does not necessarily occur in every elephant. It is seen at a very early stage of musth
Elephants sometimes scratch the temporal area with twigs.
The penis is released from its sheath. This occurs more often when the temperature is cooler
In some weak elephants, the swelling on the temporal region is clearly pronounced
The eyes appear dull and murky. Elephants stare straight viciously at any object.

Musth, in bull elephants, has always been a management problem, for mahouts and elephant managers, all over the world. In Kerala, elephants are required to work through out the year. Musth reduces the utility of the animal, for at least three months. It is possible to control the onset and duration of musth to some extent, by some methods. It is common practise in Kerala, to maintain some elephants, in a perpetual state of weakness, to prevent them from going into musth. This is a very cruel practise and must be discouraged. Elephants that are over worked (ie. used both for logging and festivals simultaneously), will not go into musth, as the fluid draws back into the gland. This condition is uncomfortable to the animal and they become weak and exhausted.

When in musth, the mahouts cool the elephant by spraying water on its body. This helps the musth fluid to flow easily and quickly. Sometimes, the entire fluid may not flow out at once. In such a case, the animal may go into musth again in the same year. After musth, elephants are provided with a special diet, to improve their health

3kg of gingelly and jaggery mixed together can be fed to the elephant after musth, to improve its health. While under medication, the animal must not be allowed to work. Another mixture consisting of gingelly, a certain variety of fish, small onions can be given for five days. This helps in improving vigour. Gingelly must be used in small quantities only, otherwise it can raise body temperature.

Special musth odour:

Almost all elephants produce strong distinctive odours during the inintal phase of musth. The most common one being that of hen faeces. Sometimes the odours are pleasant too. Locals say that, elephants whose musth fluid smells like poovan pazham, (a special variety of banana)belong to the Brahmin caste, (highest caste in the Hindu religion).Other pleasant odours are those of ezhilampala, (Alstonia scholaris) or lotus.

Pointers for mahouts:

A mahout must know his elephant's musth period, duration, and temperament during musth It is advisable to tether the animal in the early stages of musth. Mahout must be able to read the symptoms of musth and take necessary precautions. Arrogance and carelessness on his part will not only endanger his life but also lives of other innocent people. Elephants do not necessarily exhibit the same behaviour every year. A mahout may be working with a particular elephant for a long time and it may be docile, even in musth. Yet, it is wiser to take precautions to prevent accidents.

Mahouts are forced by some owners, to work their elephants, even when the animal is in full musth. Under such stressful conditions, the mahout may have to take brutal steps, to control the animal. This has lead to the death of several mahouts and elephants.
If an elephant is handled correctly during the juvenile musth period (moda), it may be manageable in musth, during its adulthood also. Such elephants are manageable even in full musth. Mahouts are able, to carry out regular activities such as, bath, fodder collection, and work, even in full musth. Musth should be a rest period for the animal and it must not be allowed to work, during this time
During musth, elephants show a great animosity to their chattakkaran, (first mahout). The reason is because he is the only man, that the elephant fears. It is believed that during musth, elephants recollect all the pain and punishments and become vengeful towards the chattakkaran.
After the musth has subsided, the mahout must be very wary before unchaining the elephant as it is almost like breaking a new, or wild elephant. The elephant may be aggressive and the mahout may have to use a lot of force, to control the animal. This happens because the mahout loses control over his elephant when it is in musth. Most mahouts tend to leave the elephant alone, once its been tethered for musth. This practise is not correct. A mahout must be around his elephant during the entire musth period. The elephant will therefore not forget his mahout.

Return to top of page

TRANQUILLISATION

Dr. K.C. Panicker

Tranquillising elephants running amok is a common practice these days in Kerala. This practice began only a few years ago. Most elephants cause extensive damage to property and life when they go out of control. Thus it is very essential to control and put them on chains as quickly as possible.

The Cap-chur gun or Dist-Inject is used for tranquillising elephants. The important components of the tranquilliser gun are adaptor, syringe, needle, plunger, charge and the 0.22 blanks.

The syringe is made of metal. A strong metal needle is placed on one end of the syringe and the opposite end is closed with a tail piece. A fine layer of thread or a feather is placed before the tail piece. A rubber plunger of about 3/4 th inches length acts as a piston within the syringe. The plunger has a recess on one end. The plunger is coated with lubricant for easy movement within the syringe and inserted within the syringe. The end of the plunger with the recess, should be facing outside the syringe. The charge is placed inside the recess. The syringe is then closed tightly with the tail piece. The required quantity of drug is measured and is poured into the open end of the syringe, until a certain mark. The needle is placed at the other end and the syringe is loaded within the projecteor of the gun. The adaptor of the projector is filled with the 0.22 charge and the darn gun is ready for darting.

The needle is aimed for the rump or the scapula (shoulder blade). On pulling the trigger, the charge in the gun explodes and propels the syringe forwards. The needle pierces the elephant’s skin, and immediately the charge inside the syringe explodes. This pushes the plunger forwards in a piston like movement and the drug is injected into the muscles. The needle has a collar or a hook which prevents it from falling down. The drug commonly used for captive elephants is Xylazine hydrochloride.

The elephant begins to feel drowsy after 8-10 minutes of injecting the medicine. Most elephants continue to wander around or stand still right after being shot. There must be absolutely no disturbance or noise in the neighbourhood, after firing the gun. Noise and disturbances in the neighbourhood must be minimised or it will delay the drug’s action. The first sign of drowsiness is relaxation of penis. A few minutes later the elephant falls asleep while standing and begin to snore. It is safe to wait for at least 45 minutes after injecting, before approaching the elephant. The elephant can be chained to the nearest tree. In the absence of a tree, or post, the elephant has to be dragged by means of a rope to the nearest tree in the area. Strong ropes are tied to the elephant’s both feet and the free ends of the rope are held by several strong people. The people pulling the ropes must co-ordinate their movement so that the elephant is gradually dragged to the tethering site. The tethering site should offer plenty of shade. Mahouts must frequently water the elephant’s head to keep it cool. The elephant resumes its normal activity of feeding and drinking water after about 4-5 hours.

The dart gun normally used for tranquillisation has a short range, which means that the veterinary doctor has to stand rather close to the elephant while firing his gun. On being hit by the dart, elephant usually run forwards in panic. But sometimes elephants do turn around to attack the person firing the gun. This endangers his life and so proper safety arrangements should be made to prevent mishaps.

Return to top of page

Handling