ZOO ELEPHANT'S "STRIKE"

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 7, 8 July 1922, Page 12

ZOO ELEPHANT'S "STRIKE"

- Indirani, the .large riding elephant presented to the .London Zoological Society two years ago by the Maharaja of Coooh Beliar, went on strike on Good Friday, refusing to remain, still whilst j_ being mounted, and,. as its conduct did not improve, it was thought, wise to _ keep her indoors during the Easter holidays. As tho elephant was only-stubborn, and not vicious, the Zoo authorities decided to see whether the animal would obey a native, and the services of a mahout were obtained through the Asiatic-Home. The result of the experiment was surprisingly satisfactory, the native, .with a very limited vocabulary- of. articulate sounds, succeeding almost immediately in getting the. creature to obey his 'orders. The elephant proved itself.to be perfectly docile and submissive, and the services of the mahout are to be retained at tho Zoological Gardens. Elephants do not, as is popularly. supposd,, always cherish such an enduring affection for their old mahouts that they,cannot be brought to obey strangers, and in India and Ceylon the keepers are constantly changed without untoward results. They do, however, frequently refuse to, obey orders given in any language except that on which they have been brought up, g,nd the Zoo. keepers will no-doubt be able to control the elephant'in question when.they havo learnt the native words of command.