The unsung tribal mahouts who dedicate their lives to Tamil Nadu's elephants

The Theppakadu Elephant Camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) and the Kozhikamuthi camp in Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) are among the oldest in Asia. But their true heritage lies in the tribal communities—the Kaatunaickers, Kurumbas, Malasars, and Irulas—who have cared for elephants for generations. On World Indigenous Peoples' Day and World Elephant Day, their role as guardians of these gentle giants comes into focus.

Tucked along the Moyar river in the Nilgiris, Theppakadu has rehabilitated conflict elephants since the 1920s. Today, it houses around 27 elephants, with mahouts drawn mostly from local tribal communities. What sets this camp apart is its method of training without any conventional tools such as the ankush (a pointed hook). Instead, mahouts rely on traditional knowledge passed down through families—a mix of patience, observation, and compassion that has proven effective.

Retired mahout M Maran, who worked at the camp for 38 years, explains, “Once the rescued elephants are placed inside stalls, we offer sugarcane and nurture our bond. We teach a few commands, pat them and treat them with love. They reciprocate.” Another veteran, C Mari, who spent three decades as a mahout, recounts his time with 65-year-old Kamatchi and other elephants like Senthilvadivdu, Cheran, and Bama—animals he clearly regarded as family. Forest officials note that this emotional connection is as important as the technical knowledge.

The Oscar-winning documentary 'The Elephant Whisperers' brought this bond to global attention, featuring Bomman and Bellie at Theppakadu and their attachment to an orphaned elephant named Raghu. The camp has become a symbol of how indigenous wisdom can coexist with modern conservation.

At the Kozhikamuthi camp in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, the Malasar tribe continues a similar tradition. A six-minute conservation film titled 'Malasar', narrated by actor Nasser, tells the story of 51-year-old Mani, who calls his elephant Kaleem 'older brother'. The Malasars use as many as 60 verbal commands to which the elephants respond. Their bond goes beyond training—it is a life lived together in the same forest, following paths cleared by ancestors and their elephants generations ago.

Forest authorities acknowledge that the tribal mahouts' understanding of elephant behaviour is a unique blend of science and inherited wisdom. They know the seasons, the medicinal plants, and the moods of the animals. The camps have been modernised with amenities like viewing galleries, but the core of care still rests on these families.

Yet, the future of this traditional knowledge is not guaranteed. As younger generations move toward other livelihoods, there is a risk that centuries of wisdom could fade. Conservationists and government officials stress the need to protect the rights of indigenous communities and to learn from their sustainable ways of living with nature. The elephants of Tamil Nadu, and indeed the world, depend on that wisdom.