Elephant Aid International will provide Foot Care Programs in Thailand. This program which is offered free of charge, provides mahouts with skills to better care for their elephants. Learn from EAI founder and CEO Carol Buckley to create positive change for captive-held elephants in Thailand.
Foot health is vital to an elephant’s overall health and wellbeing. It is crucial that captive-held elephants receive regular foot care to prevent and treat problems if and when they occur. Good foot care is an investment in the health of your elephant and is something you can build into your existing health care routine.
GOAL
The goals of EAI’s Elephant Foot Care Program are to give mahouts a working knowledge of foot care and to enable you to create your own in-house foot care program.
APPROACH
The program begins in a classroom setting, with PowerPoint presentations, videos and field manuals. Mahouts will become familiar with a positive reinforcement approach to elephant training and sound elephant husbandry.
Next, mahouts will observe and then practice their training, evaluating and trimming skills, under the direction of a master practitioner.
The program consists of four units:
- foot trimming apparatus
- positive reinforcement target training
- foot health evaluation
- foot trimming
HOW YOU CAN HELP
EAI supporters often ask what they can do to help. You can make an important contribution by donating to our Foot Care Program which will help cover program costs including; educational materials for the mahouts; international and domestic airfare; in-country travel; housing and food; and foot trimming tools.
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REQUIRED COMMITMENT
A first-time visit requires a 3-day commitment. The length of our stay can vary depending on the number of elephants and mahouts in residence, and whether your facility already has a foot trimming apparatus.
At this time EAI offers the program free of charge. You will be required to provide room and board, translator, and transport.
If you are interested and wish to learn more about this program, please CLICK HERE.