Published
Elephants are part of Chitwan's story in two ways: the wild ones that move through the park, and the domesticated ones that live at the stables and the breeding centre. The breeding programme sits right in the middle of that story, and understanding it makes every elephant encounter on your trip more interesting. If you'd like to hear it from a naturalist, book the elephant briefing.
Why breed elephants?
Domesticated elephants used to be trapped from the wild and trained. In 1985, the Elephant Breeding Centre at Khorsor, near Sauraha, was set up to breed domesticated elephants in captivity instead. Calves are born and raised at the centre, which you can visit on most of our packages. Our post on visiting the elephant breeding centre covers the practical side.
Wild and domestic elephants
It's easy to think of all elephants as the same, but a good naturalist will soon show you otherwise. The briefing covers the life and habits of both wild and domestic elephants, and the differences between Asian and African elephants. Chitwan's are Asian elephants, and once you know what to look for (the ears are a good place to start), you'll never mix them up again.
What the briefing is like
It's a relaxed, educational session with an expert naturalist rather than a performance. Expect plenty of facts and stories, and time for your questions. The original programme also let guests ask to learn how elephants are ridden. Programmes change, so check what's included when you book.
Good questions to ask
- How do wild elephants use the park through the year? - What does a domestic elephant's day look like? - How are calves at the breeding centre raised? - How has the care of domestic elephants changed over the years? - What should visitors do if they meet a wild elephant?
Seeing elephants responsibly
Wherever you meet elephants on your trip, the same simple rules apply. Follow your guide's instructions, keep a sensible distance, keep your voice down and never try to feed or touch an animal unless the staff invite you to. If animal welfare matters to you, ask us about current animal-care practices for any elephant activity. We're always happy to talk it through.
Where it fits in
The briefing goes nicely with an arrival-day visit to the breeding centre. Our 3 nights / 4 days and 4 nights / 5 days packages both list the elephant briefing among their highlights, so they're the easiest way to fit it in.