As we inquired the current mahout told us that this 11 year old male had already five mahouts in his young life. The reputation was that he is confused and does often not know what is ask of him. Prithviraj is supposedly afraid walking through water. We were told that when he was younger he was playful and even naughty. He then went through some training (I don’t even want to know what they did to him) and after that he went into depression. We learned that one particular mahout trained him harshly. Since then besides being depressed he is a poor eater and only nibbles on grass. There was no question in my mind that this little fellow needed all my love and healing skills. As I gently approached him I noticed the harsh quality of his pupils. They seemed to be frozen from trauma. I asked the mahout (a kind men) to introduce me to his elephant. First touching his head and letting my hand speak with deep compassion I sensed quickly that we will bond fast. Within minutes his pasture responded in drifting towards me, then he smelled me and wished to face me. Worked on his hip and he leaned into the pressure, a little later he turned to face me again and to have his mouth touched. I circled his lips and the jaw started to drop inch by inch till – with the tickling of the tongue – the mouth opened and eventually the trunk ended on top of his forehead. This was the beginning of a most sweet relationship. Prithviraj followed me around whenever I was on site and he with his mahout ventured near me. I made sure to give him small mini sessions as often as possible. He enjoyed tremendously to have his tongue massaged and could not get enough of it. Most touching was to see his personality change, he became more alive and playful. In the beginning I was so struck by the tears who once fell out of his eyes in a bow. What a release for him to feel save and me holding healing space. I will never forget that moment as tears where pooling in my own eyes.

Meanwhile the mahout saw clearly the wonderful response of his elephant and with affection said to the vet “Elke is now the mother of this elephant “. This kind men even laid down for a nap and said referring to his elephant, “when his mother”(Elke) is with him (Prithviraj) he does not worry”.

My goal now is to write to the authorities at the park and see if they would take a suggestion not to rotate mahouts with Prithviraj. I think it is of utter importance for him to stay with the men who is in charge of him now. As adolescence time is approaching this bull could become dangerous. I see such a need to teach about touch there and we ask a few of the mahout. Indeed they seemed to see it from a positive side. My team made effort to keep the mahout in a good mood and we often brought goodies for them to eat.

We had to go to some hurdles to get the number of elephants for the studyat the park. Luckily we managed and had a rich experience. The setting there was beautiful high grasses to look at and distant rhinos passing in and out of sight. The mahouts where captured by what they witnessed and a few expressed they would like to learn some different touching. My desire is to get a course for the mahouts going next year. Of course there will be the money factor again to finanze this second project. I worked with elephants of all ages including some babies. I felt so comfortable with all of them even the ones who had to be watched as they came from a place of fear due to harsh/abusive handling and could react by swinging at me with the trunk or leg. I was able to over-come every elephants fear ether in the first session or the last one. Each elephant received three Body Therapy sessions. The most memorable encounter was with Prithwiraj a young bull – 11 years of age. He looked horribly depressed when I met him and both Rinku my research vet and myself felt the same way. I desided to give all I could to this tusker. Truly it turned out amazingly…he took to the touch right away, he was starving for love and affection. He had 5 mahouts in his life so far and he had a reputation of being foolish, afraid of everything. His tensed body transformed before everyones eyes. He became alive….he followed me or walked towards me when he saw me. I gave him many mini sessions throughout the 2 weeks I  conducted the study and his current mahout, a kind-natured men, told his fellow mahouts that I am now “his mother” and he does not have to worry when the elephant is with me. It was and is most touching! I very much hope this mahout stays with Prithwiraj, it is of utter importance. Unfortunatly the forest department moves the mahouts between the elephants.  Perhaps we can approach the officals on this matter – I like to give it a try for the sake of dear Prithwiraj.

For clarity all the Kaziranga National Parks elephants are used for patrolling and collecting their own food and in the early morning hours for tourist rides to see the parks wild animals.

It will take some time to digest what I learned and more will be shared with friends and supporters of this project.

In ending this entry I want to express my deep gratitude to Rinku (vet and observer of behaviour) and Jose (organizer and video person) who have been wonderful team members. Also Krishna our driver was most helpful in the handling of some unexpected aspects.

In summery my visit and work here further increased my knowledge of this country with its cultural elephant tradition. I met so many people and was ask so may questions. The press kept coming our way too and I felt streched to hold the calm atmosphere I needed to create for this magnificant beings. Noise pollution is in high gear most of the day ether by traffic, radio, drums, firecrackers or the shouts of the mahouts towards their elephants.

I am surrounded by men all day and into the night. Where are the woman? Not even my hotel has female employees. The huge bill boards are full of woman exposed in western clothing showing bare shoulders and arms but none of this is seen on the streets of the city. When I ask my all male team they keep laughing and laughing and saying this is just advertising. The heat often gets to me and I wish I could wear more lighter blouses but I keep my upper arms covered as I don’t want to draw more attention as I already have.

Now off to Assam and the captive held elephants at Kaziranga National Park.

From Bangkok I will depart to Bangalore/India on Febr. 1

I’m finally going to do my elephant project in India. I am going to leave at the end of January. You can visit my website at:

http://listening-hands.org