We see one of those neck ropes/leashes that have been asked about on other blogs. It is exclusive to Europe and has not been seen here in the States, and has only been noted on African Elephants. Does anybody know it's purpose or function?
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sonny Frankello and Mahler
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
22 comments:
Yes! In case of the elephant starts to run away!
"Hold it tied, and close your eyes!!!!" LOL
Guillaume,
I don't know if it is an idea, that has never been put to the test or what? When it was suggested quite some time ago on the "history channel" that it was a means to stop the elephant if they ran, I suggested a cowboy has 2 1/2 inch sloped buckaroo heels on his boots, to aid in stopping a horse, but I didn't see even the heels being of any use in "snubbing down" a runaway elephant. I just don't get the idea of a neck rope on an adult elephant. A chain, chained to another animal has a useful purpose, but this seems to fall in the category of "pissing in the wind."
Wade
Wade, why can you say "piss" and I can't (although I haven't yet)? Is this some kind of archaic deal here?
Mary Ann
Mary Ann,
Because it is describing an action. What do you think is the purpose of a neck rope for African elephants in Europe?
Wade
Wade, I really don't give a shit.
Mary Ann
Mary Ann,
About what? The neck rope, or the the action of "pissing in the wind?"
Wade
Wade, either one. You're the one who wants a blog to set standards with no censorship, but then you go setting double standards and engaging in censoring. What's with that? Where is your credibility?
Mary Ann
Wade,
You shouldn't pee in the wind,it makes you look not potty trained.
Is it a rope rope or cable? Is it a distraction, hey look my elephant is on a leash!
Wade,
I admit that a chain can be stronger than a rope, but,(with my little experience with the eles), I don't see the problem to put a rope neck, strong and long enough in case of a run. Hobble is an other solution, for the start.
The "leash" on the picture is for sure not here for being attached to a post.
It's just a different technic, I think. And it's important to adapt the "tools" according to age and the individual with which one work.
Don't you think?
Guillaume
Guillaume,
What!!! Are you suggesting that it could be used to stop an elephant in case they chose to run off? Hobbles are used to prevent them leaving, not to stop them after they have left.
Wade
Mary Ann,
Often times you must censor to maintain credibility. You would be amazed at what irrelevancy goes in the disposal sometimes toward that end of credibility.
Wade
Wade,
for sure a rope won't stop a running elephant. But at least, if the elephant steps on it, that will , probably make him stop for seconds, may be even fall over. Which one give the time to the handler to react properly!
I am just guessing.
And, by the way, asking for advice.
I have never been in that kind of situation.
Anyway, if you work with an elephant in free contact and if you want to start training him for walks and going "outside", you have to make sure you know what you are doing, and take in consideration all the environnement(trees, trucks, people, other animals, cars, ...)
Guillaume
Guillaume,
A small rope around it's neck, or a leather strap as is the care here, won't stop any adult elephant if it is stepped on, let alone trip it. A chain or a thick hemp rope, attached to hobbles or a running W will stop them, or snatch them to their knees and even flop them if they have a full head of steam. But that is taking their front feet away from them. Back feet or neck is for holding/restraining, not stopping,
Wade
Cindy,
Neck chaining was common "back in the day" of long animal walks. The practice is not exclusive to Buckles Woodcock, it was a common practice, to even secure some hoof stock to an elephant on the Ringling show. When elephants were chained together, it was with neck chains. Rope has a tendency to burn or mark, chains covered with fire hose as a rule don't, and leather would for the most part be useless.
Wade
Europeans don't work Africans like Asians. The Frankellos use it really like you use a leash on a dog. They will pull forward if they want the Elephant to go faster. Some other people will hold the Elephant's left ear in a hand. I never seen the Frankellos with hooks around their animals they use a riding crop. They have their own way with Elephants. I never seen one of their Africans getting nervous.
Vincent
Vincent,
Do they(the elephants) do more or less then another African, worked/trained with a hook? One of the best calmest animals I was ever around was an African named Joy. As well, as one named KiKi who carried a lion with no pad on her back. Wama, Roho, and Duvu were also very calm. And GGW's Congo is legendary. Do you not think nervousness is individual/environment as well as for Asians, as opposed to species characteristic?
Wade
I have been around some of these big eared piggies, and here is what I know. The rope is futile. You cannot stop the elephant with it if it decides to leave. A chain will not work like this either, and if you try to wrap it around something as the elephant is "duffying" you are likely to lose a finger or two, if not your whole hand. Once they decide to go,,,,you are already to late,,,they are going. The idea of holding this leash or the elephants ear giving the elephant confidence is wrong. It does, I have noted, give a false sense of security and feeling of control to the handler. It does nothing more, I have seen it hundreds of times here (most common when laying the elephant down here handlers will hold the elephants ear to prevent the elephant turning away during lay down) IT DOES NOT PREVENT SH$%!! You actually, in time, teach the animal that the cue you are giving is no more then the beginning of a longer cue that ends with you grabbing the elephants ear. I have been around Africans that were solid as a rock Asians that were flighty as a rabbit, and vice versus. I think the majority of it has little to do with species and much more to do with a hundred years of people saying Africans are more flighty, and acting flighty around them. Joy is an excellent example of a solid African. Most Africans are hypersensitive to hesitation on the part of the trainer, and if you hesitate because they "might" run, I promise they will eventually. Though they are not capable of the same as an Asian physically, they are more then capable mentally.
Casey,
I suggest the animal picking up on your insecurity's/apprehension are the greatest factors in timidness/unsure behavior. Again, products of their environment, not genetically "born" that way.
Wade
Absolutely Wade,
If you think the elephant will run or knock you down, it by god will in time,,,,,lol
I don't think Amarillo Slim taps his foot and tries to grab an ear when he is bluffing at $25,000 pots, and thats not even really a life or death scene,,,,lol
Casey,
If you want to make a group of cats think they are seeing ghosts in the shadows, spin and whip your head around, on the off chance one is going to "back jump" you, or ask them to do something, them change or mind, than ask them to do something close, then decide it's better to just leave them alone. A couple of years of that type of "leadership" and lord of the jungle will puke if somebody sneezes.
That insecurity will shoot down the reins of a horse faster then an electric current.
Amarillo Slims bluff works because he INTENDS on winning, but understanding nothing is "for sure" instantly ready with a new game plan if the initial one starts to go south. That's called experience/knowledge of the game. You'll note I said "starts" to go south, not after it has gone. That's the importance of reading/anticipating, and that ability doesn't come from playing it safe.
Wade
Wade,
The Frankello's acts are not classic Elephants acts with tubs and head peaces. It's more a kind of commic act even if they do some pyramids. These Elephants are well trained and can do most of what you can expect from an African even if they don't do all the tricks during the act. Their acts are popular in Europe as they have good records in animal care and as they work their animals a different way in the ring.
African more nervous than Asian? For me no doubt in most cases. Asian = horses / Africans = zebras. I think they don't support stress as good as Asians when adult. A good question is if Africans react the same way when it's a 100% Africans herd or when it's a Asian/African group???
Vincent
Vincent
Post a Comment