I disagree, it makes so many things easier when it comes to transport, exercise and even AI. And there have been some injuries/deaths, but think how many zoos handle elephants with FC that haven't had any deaths or injuries.
true, the few attacks I can think of in domesticated elephants take example in kerala usually only happen by accidently use of the ankus or even ceremonial umbrella. The elephant Thechikottukavu Ramachandran two months ago cause of stampede due to being hit in the eye by an umbrella.
The ankus yes unfortunately in some areas are known to be very sharply pointed. And cruel mahouts have been known to punish their elephants brutaly causing sometimes blindness and terrible wounds.
Luckily most are just to help with the nudging of pressure points.
Yesterday when I went to Taronga Zoo I felt the tip of the ankus mounted on the wall and I was surprised on how blunt it is. In the keeper talk I only ever saw them use it once on Thong Dee as she was a bit slow on passing the log onto the other elephant but otherwise they did not use it on the other females or calfs. I don't want to start another protected contact vs free contact debate here but I was amazed on how blunt the one I felt was.
I think the ankus is just a physical encouragement to the elephant when used properly and not for harming the animal in any way.
No sticks of any kind, wether they have hooks or points on them or not, should ever be used to control an animals behaviors or movements. Positive reinforcement is the only technique that zoos should use. Let the animal be an animal and stop trying to control them.
