Ankus Signage

May 2006

I'm actually quite amazed that a zoo has signage on the ankus, a rather infamous tool used in training and guiding elephants. I use the word infamous simply because the ankus has often been taken out of context by animal rights groups, but I'm sure that eventually zoos will take out the sharp point on the end and utilize a long, plain pole (without a point) to control elephants.

Have you ever seen an ankus up close?

Aren't they quite blunt? I would assume it's just like poking the elephant, meaning it doesn't hurt it but provokes it to move?
Are you against them Okapikpr?

I've held one before.

Just like snake hooks, ankus are built for the handlers specifications. I have personally never seen a sharp ankus, but I would not question the existence of them. I believe that free contact is an acceptable practice to manage elephants. However, not every elephant or every elephant handler is meant for free contact.

Often times there are various animal management techniques and tools that can be taken out of context (ie ankus, enrichment, restraint). It is rather smart for any zoo to elaborate about such things and send a clear message to allow further understanding of the public about these practices.

Yeah, the ankus's that I've seen we're quite blunt, probably used to encourage the elephant's or tap the pressure points, no shapr pain is involved I would assume,

I hate how everyone assumes that they're these horrible sharp sticks used to beat elephants into submission when they do something wrong.

This is mainly because bullhooks are only in the public's attention when used improperly by those that probably shouldnt be handling elephants to begin with. Unfortunately, its always the few bad eggs that ruin the whole clutch.

Yeah, exactly.