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Rs 35,000 course to help train and certify mahouts
Applications are being called for a course to train and certify elephant keepers and mahouts. Pic by Indika Handuwala
The Department of National Zoological Gardens is calling for applications for a course to train and certify elephant keepers and mahouts, Director General Thilak Premakantha said.
The course will cover theoretical and practical aspects of caring for captive elephants, ensuring their wellbeing, and the safety of both the elephant and its handler.
The move came following the controversy over Muthu Raja (Sak Surin), which was temporarily held and cared for at the Dehiwala Zoo following a request by the Thai Embassy, which later repatriated the elephant.
Mr. Premakantha said the Muthuraja incident inspired them to take the initiative for the training programme for elephant handlers. He added that the course would help novice elephant keepers as well as seasoned experts, as the mahouts who follow the programme would be certified with an NVQ Level 4 certificate.
“Our goal is to provide training and teach the mahouts to handle elephants better and provide them with a certificate, which would act as a qualification.”
This would automatically drive private owners of elephants as well as temples to have trained and qualified mahouts and elephant handlers, he said.
He added that the Department of National Zoological Gardens too would benefit from the move, as it too could recruit trained and qualified elephant handlers and mahouts to the Dehiwala Zoo, the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, and the Hambantota Safari Park.
The course aims to promote the gentle treatment of elephants and safe methods of handling them. The six-month course would be held at the Pinnawala Zoo and Elephant Orphanage.
“The first two months of the course would be held at the Pinnawala Zoo, where theoretical and practical training would be given, during the remaining four months, work training would be at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage,’’ Mr. Premakanatha added.
The National Zoological Gardens would charge Rs 35,000 per trainee while providing accommodation.
He said educational qualifications and age are not a barrier.
At the end of the course, the participants who are successful in written, oral, and practical tests will be awarded the NVQ Level 4 certificate by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission.
Applicants should submit their biodata, National Identity Card number, educational qualifications, and previous work experience as an elephant keeper or mahout.
The applications can be sent by registered post to: Director General, Department of National Zoological Gardens, Dehiwala, or faxed to: 0112734542. Email zoosl@slt.lk. The closing date is August 30, 2023.
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