Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-23
CEYLON ELEPHANTS.
An Exciting Drive Ending in the
Trapping of the Great Beasts.

Trapping of the Great Beasts.
Calcutta Corr. Baltimore Sun
In the interior of Ceylon 1 had rather
novel experience, that of witnessing an ele-
plant kraal.
Several weeks previously two herds of eIe-
plants had been surrounded by some 2''oo
native coolies under the orders of their
Ratama hatmayas. perpetrators to the kraal-
ing The plot of wilderness and jungle sur
rounded by the coolies extended over an
area of about three thousand acres.
Every night, by firing blank ammunition,
kindling fires, beating tomtoms and loud
shouting the elephants were driven several
hundred yards nearer to an improvtsed
stockade. This was repeated nightly until
the elephants were half a mile or less from
the mouth of the stockade. This chase
sometimes requires more than two months.
The circle of coolies then opens and In
closes within its ranks the entire stockade.
This Stockade was built of stout tree
trunks deeply and firmly imbedded in the
ground at a distance of TWO feet apart
These tree posts projected some fourteen
feet above the earth and We're reinforced
by three parallel lines of horizontal cross
pieces securely tied to the posts with Wllu
vines and creepers. The whole was further
strengthened by a series OF slantlng braces
firmly fixed in the ground and having horl-
zontal cross pieces also bound to them
The stockade or 'kraai was about nVe
hundred feet square and built in jungle,
with its entrance disguised to appear as
the thickest part of the jungle. The en-
trance for the game was from nfty TO sew
enty feet wide and at the north side OF
the stockade.
Beyond the stockade. the south. oppo-
site its entrance, was "kraal Town. which
consisted Of several dozens of native shops
and q number of bungalows, built of, palm
leaves and lined inside with white Goth,
all. temporary, for the occasion. The bun
galows Were gayly decorated with bunting
II; Nfc nd been
erected lust outside the stockade, on the
south side next to 'Kraal Town"
About am we fastened to the grand
stand The drive-in had already commenced,
the shouts of the heaters and the firing
of their guns resounding on all sides. The
heaters came nearer and nearer the crack
ing trees vines and jungle growth becoming
terrific as the rushing elephants approached
nearer to the stockade The excitement and
interest were intense. Repeatedly some OF
the elephants made determined attempts
to break through the lines of coolies, but
were met with volleys from the guns and
loud cheers from the heaters, who rushed
toward the huge beasts and by their cour-
age and bold front awed and turned them
once more toward the stockade.
Finally the largest and most feroclous
elephant which had been leading the herd,
made mad rush for the patch OF dense
green Jungle ahead. which disguised the
entrance to the stockade. There followed
tremendous crash and cracking of break
ing branches, vines and jungle growth,
seemingly right about our stand.
The gigantic leader of the herd rushed
toward the grand stand, followed rapidly
by the whole herd in single file. The coolies
swarmed around the outside of the stock
ade beneath the grand stand. and with
VOlleys from their guns and with spears
and loud shouting turned the course of
the elephants and prevented their break
ing down or attacking any portion of the
stockade. They frequently had to use their
spears to drive the Infatuated animals
away. The elephants continued to circ.e
about, one tiny one trotting around after
its mother in an amusing manner. AT last
they hudded together in the thickest of
the remaining jungle.
Immediately after the last elephant had
passed through the gate into the stockade
the coolies rapidly lighted fires, shot vol
legs of blank ammunition and quickly
painted posts and supports bound together,
thus effectually closing the gateway
After a short interval the noosing began,
it being best done shortly after the first
mad rushing and before the animals get
over their fright or have trodden down all
the jungle in the stockade-
Half a dozen tame elephants entered the
stockade. two natives riding upon each,
and dozen natives following on foot,
armed with spears for se'f-defense
The tame elephants had rope collars and
a rope surcingle. with loops for the riders
to hold on by. A tarred rope with a rum
ming moose was attached to the rope collar,
the herd kept moving about, and as
opportunity offered the natives on foot,
plants, slipped the nooses between the
hind feet of the wild elephants when
raised. This was rather dangerous work.
many. attempts and failures preceding the
final capture. Frequent kicks of the wild
elephants sent natives spraying.
When noosed the wild elephants were
tied first by one hind foot and then by the
other, to a big tree where they screamed.
pulled and beloved Justify. Strong tarred
ropes were tied around the necks and bod
les of the capuyes, then tied to the rope
collars of two tame elephants, after which
the wild elephants We're united from the
tree. Then they were marched off between
the two tame ones. followed by third tame
elephant, which helped with an occasional
push when necessary.
One of the baby elephants was very
plucky and not at all easy to secure. The
largest of the elephants in the kraal meas
ured fifteen feet in height.
After several months of captivity chained
by a forefoot to a stout tree, and under
the care and training of a keeper they will
be disposed of hired out by their can
tors and used for dragging big timber or
doing other heavy work. Some of the
younger ones are sold to dealers in ami
mails. who train them for the circus sc
On the spot they are worth according
to the temper displayed, age, &c, from 2sl
to 500 rupees "a rupee is 30 cents in United
States money!. Four months later they
are worth several times the price at the
kraal, but in the meantime have necessi-
tated considerable expense in removing and
training them. The government receives a