Kumki Elephants

Kumki Elephants

News: Recently, the state government of Odisha has requested four Kumki elephants and their mahouts from Tamil Nadu in order to address challenges from Human-elephant conflict.

About:
• Kumki Elephants, also known as Koomkie, Koonki, or Kunki, are trained captive Asian elephants used in India for various operations involving wild elephants.
• Trapping Wild Elephants: Kumki elephants are used in operations to trap wild elephants.
• Rescue and Medical Aid: They are sometimes used to rescue or provide medical treatment to an injured or trapped wild elephant.
• Managing Human-Elephant Conflict: Kumkis are used to drive wild elephants away when they enter into human settlements.
• Training Other Elephants: Some Kumki elephants are trained to assist in the training of other elephants.
• Silent Operation: Some Kumki elephants are particularly trained to follow the “foot commands” from their mahouts and to move silently during the entire capturing operation.