5
The Siamese around Chengmai (Zimme), Kyon-Taing, and Mohauk, are
said to breed elephants. The truth is, they own a large number of animals which
roam about the jungles in a semi-wild state, and, as might be expected, a certain
number of calves are born : these people also buy up all the calves they can lay
hands on, and let them go about till they can sell or train them. Calves may
be bought for little or nothing: this is also the case in Burma. Owners would
often prefer to give them away, rather than be subjected to the expense of keep-
ing them. A great many animals may be found in most of our frontier districts,
like Tavoy, Amherst, Shwegyin, Toungoo, Salween Hill Tracts, and in Karenni.
I believe there are from 200 to 300 in the latter place, and about 100 in and
around Papun. In certain parts there is hardly a jungle village that cannot
boast of possessing an elephant, and the usual rates for hire of a baggage animal
is Rs. 2 per diem.
Feeding.—Only those animals working in yards, and of course most Govern-
ment animals, are what may be termed " stall fed ;" all others have to forage for
themselves. When work is finished, the fore or hind legs are coupled with a hoop
of plaited cane, which is lashed between the legs with a piece of rope, a large
wooden clapper is suspended from the neck, and they are then turned loose to
graze. Grass is their staple food,—that is, when in their natural state,—and wild
ones spend a good deal of their time in places where it is abundant. In some parts
there are miles of this grass, and often one is ignorant of elephants being in it
till nightfall, when they begin to trumpet. As a rule it is procurable in most
places at all seasons of the year. Wild ones also spend part of the day in the
dense jungle, where they sleep, and browse on the young branches of trees ;
when the young shoots of the bamboo are sprouting, or regeneration has taken
place, they visit these tracts and stay some time in them. The plants that
elephants will consume are numerous, but are not always readily procurable for
stabled animals. If wild animals be watched while grazing, it will be observed
that, after pulling up a bunch of grass, they remove the dirt by beating it against
their legs, and then bite off only the lower third, which is fresh, sweet, and succu-
lent. Tame ones will do the same, provided they receive an ample supply of fodder.
It must be noted that it is the young succulent stems of the " Kaing," i.e., ele-
phant-grass (Saccharum spontaneum), which forms the most important item of
their daily food. It is difficult to say how much one of these beasts can eat, for
if left to themselves they will graze twenty out of the twenty-four hours. From
the wild ones we learn one or two useful hints, viz.,—that good fodder and plenty
of it should always be before a tethered animal; he will take proper rest if his
belly be full, whereas if he has to wait some time for his food, he has to eat
when he ought to be asleep, and he is thus deprived of that rest so essential, and
which must be all refreshing to an animal who takes so little. Again, that in
eating their grass, the part enjoyed is only the lower portion ; they therefore
should be allowed much in excess of the ordinary ration. If the residue often
seen in front of a stabled animal after a meal be weighed, it will be found to
be a large slice off the allowance, and on examination very often the major
portion will be seen to be worthless stuff. Those who are in charge of
these animals must not be led away by the sight of drivers bringing in large
loads of grass on their elephants' backs Nothing short of personal inspection
of the fodder is satisfactory. Contractors are quite as bad as the mahawuts.
Every bundle should be opened out, and all dirty and worthless stuff rejected.
Mahawuts are often too lazy to obtain good grass. This is especially the case
when on the march ; they think that as long as they can show a good-sized
load to catch the eye of the officer in charge, that it is of little consequence
whether the animal eats it. When a beast is not permitted to pick and
choose his fodder, it is unpardonable on the part of anyone in charge to allow
anything but good clean food to be presented to him. Mahawuts are fond of
reporting that there is no grass about, but that there are plenty of good trees
near at hand. Every means should be taken to find out the truth of such state
ments, as, though grass may not be abundant in the immediate vicinity of a camp
it may be plentiful enough a mile or so away. It saves them a deal of trouble
if they are allowed to go to these handy trees and lop off a number of branches.
There is no objection to the animals getting a supply of leaves in addition to a
ration of grass. Whenever circumstances permit, all elephants should be. let