In some parts of Asia, like Thailand and India, working elephants have been used for over 4000 years to transport heavy material, to fell trees, to work in the fields and, most recently, to please tourists who are clamouring for a once-in-a-lifetime ride. The wellbeing of these working elephants, however, is a concern. The weight of these saddles can carve lesions, sores, blisters and welts into their flesh.
Continuing with her successful collaborative project with VWB/VSF, which began two years ago in Thailand, Canadian veterinarian Dr. Scarlett Magda is furthering her research into the development of safer and more humane saddles for working elephants.
A prototype saddle, designed to minimize pain, has been undergoing testing since October 2007 and is currently being used on a number of elephants working in Thailand's tourism industry. With VWB/VSF's support, Dr. Magda travelled to Jaipur in spring 2009 to introduce a prototype of this new saddle to India. Saddle sore injuries in India are suspected to be an even larger problem than in Thailand due to the fact that the current saddles weigh in excess of 100kg without the added weight of tourists. Dr. Magda and VWB/VSF are working with local veterinarians, professors and mahouts (traditional elephant keepers) to develop and implement safer, lighter and more humane saddles that are made from thin metal and rubber. At a weight of only 15kg, these safe saddles will help ease the heavy burden of working elephants across the region.
Special thanks to the following sponsors:
Elephant Family
Morris Animal Foundation
Chester Zoo
