“A living Elephant Compendium, where scholars and students of the Elephant Order educate, train, prove, and exhibit methods and habits focused on efforts conducive to the Conservation & Proliferation of Elephants.…and by the way, most elephants LOVE ATTENTION, Oh, I almost forgot!…no bull hook…but better! Not like anything before it or since. Because of the “softness” of the design, I believe it to be cruelty-free while simultaneously demonstrating effectiveness in directing. It even looks friendly! Also, techniques…… just have gotta have the prototype approved; if not, there’s more…”
(Theory) The Elephant Order: A network of Professional Seasoned elephant trainers and apprentices proficient in all manner of Elephant Health and Behavior, with success marked by thriving elephant stocks & proliferation in the interest of All Elephants. In theory, The Elephant order is compiled from existing professionals agreed on by governing associations and recognized by government departments. Elephant Order recommendations accepted by required Government departments could validate such education and training institutions.
So what kind of recommendations does the theoretical “Elephant Order” group make to a government department to establish authority?
H.E.R.D.S. Handbook:An Academy of Elephant Order Publication
SUMMARY
I think this is necessary why? , (yep my tiny mind thinks….) In 1991 conservation theories and practices became more complicated due to “elephant stress”. I believe this because I know that elephants are VERY SENTIENT to EVERYTHING around them which makes them sensitive on many levels, and they stress on varying levels. I don’t think I need citing to prove that to people who already know. I couldn’t help but wonder if the Wildlife stressors of the 80s & 90s affected the wild herds, both African and Asian in such a manner that this interfered with their immunity, which may have activated a herpes virus that is naturally dormant in the elephants body. In 1991 there was a human fatality caused by the elephant he was caring for. Of course, this showed cause for immediate action! I make the following argument on behalf of ALL elephants, NOT on blame and name. Keepers had to shut up and do, or lose the Zoo, so to speak…..However, I wonder if the sweeping changes that the Elephant Order had to go through also stressed domestic elephant populations. I’m sure there were new behaviors and barriers put in place (Sudden environmental change), then some were pushed away from “their” people, alienated. Now, just to be seen from away, like a cold museum exhibit, other possible daily routines were altered. Not to mention those that just used it as an excuse to “LOCK THE GATE AND GO HOME”, with the attitude “there’s no contact allowed, what else can do?” Domestically, a lot happened in the following years, EEHV was identified by the Smithsonian Zoo. TB & EEHV started infecting & killing domestic & wild elephants and sometimes, their herd. Is it possible these events stressed elephant populations so greatly that it affected their physiology along with thelr immune system? Are these “indoor / Outdoor” stressors a novelty phenomenon that culminated in the mysterious traveling infection? Does it not travel at all but lay dormant in some form that possibly activates into the identified virus? So FLATLY I say that elephants are THE sociable animal, how do you think they felt being “PUSHED AWAY” so to speak? Once again to the folks that had to comply, not your fault, had to be done. Just a series of unfortunate events evolving into what we have here today. However as in the example of SUKI, the distance/protected contact is imperative. So there are appropriate situations. Not everything is for everyone.
After reading the following paper (gold link below):
I mentally compared if elephants shed dormant, inactive virus under mild stressors, what would they shed under HIGH-stress situations? If a stressor is more acute, then could the activity status of a virus also become acute in reaction to the acute stressor? Resulting in a greatly intensified effect than just shedding dormant viruses that result in natural innoculation? Instead, they, too, intensify into a natural infection (flare-up). Some of the EEHVs have presented in lung nodules. I wonder; is it related to the TB? Or is EEHV just a weakening point? Is the In Situ & Ex Situ viral-bacterial invasion related to the In Situ & Ex Situ stressors afore mentioned? If so, how could this Stress Disease link be proven? I am not sure, but I believe it is PARAMOUNT to the conservation and proliferation of Elephants. Is it possible that with health concerns addressed, enriching elephants by sharing and learning with the Elephant Order, showing their eliteness and importance as a species to people, that professional elephant training could resume once again more informed with the information collected since the 80s/90s? The goal being the continued care and research of domestic elephants to benefit ALL elephants worldwide, as well to ensure future self – sustainability of wild populations.
A whole academy just for elephants? Is that really necessary?
There are so many aspects just relating to health, behavior, & housing, policies, and procedures alone; when you add the myriad of other considerations involved, the variables & subcategories are numerous, as well as imperative. This is serious information that should be taught and absorbed in the most productive manner to ensure effectiveness & efficiency, as resources are not to be squandered. The many aspects are intrinsic to each other, as I feel that In Situ & Ex Situ conservation settings are tied together in the opposing reflection of each is what is needed to save the species as a whole. My perspective is the complexity of elephant care should be maintained and updated in an academic forum, to perpetuate the “learning” and growth needed for the elephantine task of Sustainable Conservation & Proliferation of Elephants.
Once again, why are there zoos & aquariums?
As I said earlier in today’s ecology climate that In Situ & Ex Situ conservation are reflections of two opposite theories that bind modern effective conservation plans together.
Anthropogenic activity is probably the main perpetrator of ecology displacement. So what or who counters or mitigates anthropogenic damage if not anthropogenic repair?…the Elephants? Giraffes? Zoos and other conservative and research facilties. However I think that zoos equipped with medical facilities operated by real animal lovers with a professional attitude directing a progressive intellect operating in cooperation toward an overall expansive goal vs the goals for their animals alone, without considering possible impact on the species world wide. Zoos, Government Facilities and NGOs are at the forefront of that anthropogenic repair, if repair is possible.
The Ex Situ conservation method allows for detailed study in a “Blissful” environment while providing priceless, (maybe even un accessible otherwise) vital data. This vital data could provide us via our “Wildlife Animal Ambassadors” of Zoos & Aquariums answers on how to care for the species as a whole while hopefully providing indicators of “Sentinel” events before they happen with potential devastation. Our Wildlife Animal Ambassadors should be some of the most pinnacle representations of their species. With the technical attentions and preening of a zoological facility elephants can be an exemplary model of species potential and viability. The old school In Situ conservation model can absolutely be a singular success if all people moved away off earth, because who’s gonna stop developing into the future? Although in some places In Situ conservation has been very effective. So evidently bio diverse problems require diverse solutions. So I believe it is a balanced action. There are organisms in the Wild that move into Civilization, as well as organisms in Civilization that move into the wild, although can you prove it? Does any one care?
YES! with science. I’m sure there must be some studied examples of domestic microbes going wild…right? ……