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Teak and Tusks!
Forestry Elephants of Myanmar.
There are over five thousand working forestry elephants in Myanmar, the majority of which work for the state timber company. An elephant, its master (mahout) and the mahouts family are considered a civil service work unit.
Forestry Elephants of Myanmar.
There are over five thousand working forestry elephants in Myanmar, the majority of which work for the state timber company. An elephant, its master (mahout) and the mahouts family are considered a civil service work unit.
When the military junta took over in 1962 much of the countries industry simply stood still.
This is clearly seen here in the almost non existent road network compared to neighbouring India.
Forestry operations continues today as they did when the British left in 1948.
This is clearly seen here in the almost non existent road network compared to neighbouring India.
Forestry operations continues today as they did when the British left in 1948.
The elephants are mostly harvesting teak from plantations rather than the old growth ‘burmese teak’.
They're incredble to watch. They don’t lift the logs out of the forest, instead they drag logs (up to one tonne) using their bodyweight as a powerful conterweight
They're incredble to watch. They don’t lift the logs out of the forest, instead they drag logs (up to one tonne) using their bodyweight as a powerful conterweight
The animals understand a whole range of commands including left, right, up, down etc
Most are captive bred (although some wild ones are taken opportunistically).
Interestingly these work elephants have a lifespan double that of Indian elephants in zoos
Most are captive bred (although some wild ones are taken opportunistically).
Interestingly these work elephants have a lifespan double that of Indian elephants in zoos
The elephants are not strictly captive, they work from early morning until the midday heat,at which point they are set free into the jungle. Here they feed, socialise and procreate!
A short chain leaves a distinctive mark on the forest floor which the mahout follows before dawn
A short chain leaves a distinctive mark on the forest floor which the mahout follows before dawn
Early in their lives they undergo an apparently brutal to ensure obedience, notwithstanding this it is clear there is a warm and caring relationship between elephant and master.
Elephants hold a revered place in Burmese society and it is widely acknowledged that these ones are well cared for.
Their working conditions are governed by a strict government code which mandates fair working hours, summer holidays in special camps and even maternity leave!
Their working conditions are governed by a strict government code which mandates fair working hours, summer holidays in special camps and even maternity leave!
This camp, a few hundred kilometres north of Yangon, seemed to be involved the charcoal trade. This contentious cottage industry feeds neighbouring China's silicon chip industry.
Further north, the Lahu Shi tribe. Their names apparently derives from a translation of "tiger hunter". The man with the rifle on his shoulder said there is only squirrels left in the forest today.
Myanmar is one hell of a country. A must go...when the world open up again!
