Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-14
DAILY hENNEBEC JoURNAI. FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER 14sfs94
ELEPHANT TANNING.
HOW THE GREAT BEAST IS CAPTURED
AND poMEsTlcATED.

Tame Elephants Lead Him Into the Trap
and Then Play an Important Part In Re-
ducing Him 10 Standardization Man
Wins His Friendship by Deception.
| At Ayuthia, in Siam, Is situated the
great elephant corral, where the wild ele-
plants are not only captured, but also re-
luced to subsection. The elephant is nat
nrally one of the subjects of greatest in
terest to the traveller In Siam, for in no
other country, save perhaps India, can
this animal be seen to such advantage
Some years ago herds of wild elephants
were large and numerous, but the number
Of herds is now greatly diminished, and
the herds themselves are smaller. This
diminution Is mainly due to the fact that
there is an increasing demand for the ele-
chants labor, while, on the other hand,
hey rarely breed in captivity. All of the
herds of roaming elephants now practical
iy belong to the king, They inhabit the
northern part Of the kingdom, and al
though not domesticated are not SO wild
as they formerly were.
When there is necessity for the capture
of O number of these, or when there Is
some celebrated parsonage visiting at the
Siamese court, the king may order an ele-
plant hunt, which is engaged in by thou
sands of persons and numbers Of domesti-
Gated elephants. The capture is effected
by surrounding and driving herd to this
strong corral at Ayuthia. Sometimes the
herd is driven defiance Of over 100 miles,
and zest is given to the hunt on account
of the danger that attends it. Rarely Is
there an elephant hunt which does not re-
suit in the death Of one or two persons
and tho wounding of many more.
Tho party is thoroughly organized and
under the control of certain well tried cap
tains Of divisions. They proceed to the
ncighborhood Of that herd from which it
is intended to make the capture and draw
u Gordon about the entire herd. Among
the elephants taken to assist in the hunt
are certain animals that have been latest
captured and who arc only half tanned.
These arc now loosed and driven into the
forest, where they soon meet and frater-
nize with the wilder animals, for very
likely some of these half tanned animals
have recently belonged to this herd.
| After q short time in which to allow
the two classes of animals to become &C.
quainted with each other, the hunters
commence closing in, at the same time
shouting, beating gongs and firing mus
kets loaded only with blank cartridges.
The herd become confused. No matter
which way they turn they meet these ir
regular sounds. Finally the Gordon breaks
away on that side toward which it is in
tended to drive the herd. The word Of
command is now given to the half tanned
elephants mingled with the wild ones-a
word Of command which they instructive
ly obey-and these start forthwith, lead
ing the herd in the desired direction.
| The corral is q large Enclosure formed Of
stockade Of heavy tree trunks, each
about IL to Ia inches in diameter. These
are planted deep in the ground and extend
in height come IL to Is feet.1, The entire
corral is surrounded by high embank-
ment, walled, and just outside of this is
large pavilion from which the royal party
and other invited spectators may in safety
witness tho capture
The herd having been safely corralled,
the domesticated elephants are now d.
rested of their howdahs or saddles and
are also sent into the Enclosure, and the
gateway is made secure. Then by word OF
command these well tanned elephants fall
upon and beat the others, driving them
here and there within the stockade. The
frightened and Infatuated animals exert
all their strength in efforts to pull up or
break down the barriers and are soon
much fatigued. The hunters now, slip
ping In and out between the posts of the
stockade, place here and there, well with
| In the Enclosure, stout nooses made of hide
and MANILA rope, and in this manner sue
coed in ensnaring, by one of the feet those
| animals that 1t Is desired to capture. The
moose being got once about the ami
mails foot, he Is, from the outside of the
Enclosure, hauled bodily to the nearest part
of the stockade, elephants assisting on the
line If necessary, and is there left secured
until tho entire lot have been captured. 1t
is in this part of the proceeding that the
greatest number of accidents occur. for
the hunters, feeling that the eyes of tho
people are upon them, become reckless in
their movements and place themselves in
positions where false step means to BIO
hurled against the barriers or else tram
| pied to death.
The animals having been thus secured,
the gateway is unbarred, and the herd are
as rapidly driven back to the locality from
which they came by hunters especially de-
tailed for this purpose.
| Inc operation OF tanning is a longer
process. One Of the animals that has been
secured is taken to this central stockade
or alleyway. First, however, each foot is
lassoed with long ropes, and these arc
held, IL necessary, by the tanned elephants,
who drag the poor beast between the two
rows of piles. His terrible trunk cannot
befastened in any way, but each foot is
| firmly tied to post, whereupon the men
| themselves retire from the corral, leaving
two or three Of the most trustworthy ele-
plants within the stockade to torment the
captive. These, now obedient to orders
which they receive from their masters,
proceed to lash the captive elephant with
their trunks, while the poor thing is pow
erless to retaliate
After this tormenting has been carried
on for some time the Siamese who is in
future to act as keeper to this elephant
comes into the corral and drives the tor
mentors away. The man now brings
| buckets of cold water and throws them
upon the animals heated sides, speaks to
him kindly and brings him bundles of
grass. He even strokes the rough legs,
taking care. however, to keep well out of
reach of the terrible proboscis.
The man now retires and the tormentors