My Hopefull Future Career : Elephant Trainer

ChesterGemsbok

ChesterGemsbok

Well-Known Member
Hiya Every1!
I have to choose my Career soon, and ever since i could walk, I've loved elephants and for years now have wanted to be an Elephant
Trainer/Handler. I have 2 options an Elephant Trainer/Handler or Religious Ed Teacher or French Teacher (two very different professions i know!) The thing is i don't really want to be an Elephant Keeper (PC) as i've seen how it is done, and i prefeer the contact between man and animal! As most Zoo's are now going into PC, It will be hard getting into a Zoo, so circus is my strongest way to get in! I was thinkingof posting this in the "Keeper Hurt by Elephant" thread, but i thought it was a little bit off track. I know the risks of being an Elephant Handler and it's one im willing to take! I'm writting this to ask for any advice from old or still working
Elephnat Handlers, Where i can start my Career, any people i can contact, any Elephant Training Schools, or just any comments will be appreciated!
ChesterGemsbok
 
Teaching french is a hell of a lot safer! I don't mean to hijack this thread as we've already had the debate elsewhere, but I read in a newspaper article that 1 in 600 elephant keepers are killed making it one of the most dangerous jobs in th world and, of those, I guess pretty much all are from establishments with a free contact policy. Bear in mind that if you took ecstasy that chance of survival would be 100 times greater. What I'm trying to say is that there is a reason many zoos are going out of free contact and that, perhaps, if you truly want to be an elephant trainer you have another look at "how it's done".
 
I like the element of Danger in the job! I would prefer that than sit in an office every day of my life and read accounts, "Life is only worth living, if you live life to the full"! I know getting in Circuses is very tricky, but i suppose it's a challenge! Thanks for the link Ash! I have been on that site b4! Also, it could be a Career that won't last, but i's still fighting!
 
ChesterGemsbok said:
I like the element of Danger in the job! I would prefer that than sit in an office every day of my life and read accounts, "Life is only worth living, if you live life to the full"! I know getting in Circuses is very tricky, but i suppose it's a challenge! Thanks for the link Ash! I have been on that site b4! Also, it could be a Career that won't last, but i's still fighting!
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The point I'm trying to make is that there may not be any life to live, whether you want to take the risk is your choice.
 
Depends how sentimental you are. I doubt you'd go that gently with an elephant trying to teach it elaborate tricks.

My recommendation would definately be a PC elephant keeper. I'm also a long-time elefan and I hope that one day a keeper career will send me working with elephants at Howletts perhaps, but I would only sign up in protected contact I think. All well and good taking the occasional risk, that's what life is for: But most days of the week in long hours?
 
Dont let the health and safety crowd put you off. When ever I go to Whipsnade and see the Elephant handlers there is never not a grin on the faces.
 
Of course they're happy in their job, it's something you do for the love of it. It's still INCREDIBLY risky though. Is there much more of a risk than there would be working with cars or heavy machinery I wonder?
 
Muggins said:
Dont let the health and safety crowd put you off. When ever I go to Whipsnade and see the Elephant handlers there is never not a grin on the faces.
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Many drug abusers are happy when high as well, I suppose drug-related deaths don't matter then? And, thanks, but I think even someone who is not in the "health and safety crowd" would be cautious when it comes to the russian roulette that is working free contact with elephants.
 
I appreciate all of your comments! Thank you! Ovecourse I would be cautious, as you said "One of the Most dangerous jobs in the world". But I think if I would work in any other job, there would be something missing! Elephant Contact! Exactly Ash, I'm sure there's similar stats to working in other jobs like cars and heavy machinery!
 
ChesterGemsbok said:
I appreciate all of your comments! Thank you! Ovecourse I would be cautious, as you said "One of the Most dangerous jobs in the world". But I think if I would work in any other job, there would be something missing! Elephant Contact! Exactly Ash, I'm sure there's similar stats to working in other jobs like cars and heavy machinery!
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Fatalaties are not nearly as common in either as they are being a free contact elephant keeper. And I'm not saying don't work with elephants but, like the advert says, always use protection ;)
 
redpanda said:
Fatalaties are not nearly as common in either as they are being a free contact elephant keeper. And I'm not saying don't work with elephants but, like the advert says, always use protection ;)
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Thanks for your concern! and i know the point your making, and i appreciate it!
 
What have drugs got to do with Zoochat? I am simply stating that its a rewarding job and ChesterGemsbok wants a career it full contact Elephant handling I say good on him.
 
Muggins said:
What have drugs got to do with Zoochat? I am simply stating that its a rewarding job and ChesterGemsbok wants a career it full contact Elephant handling I say good on him.
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Very little, I was simply using another example to prove a point. And what you're saying is fine, just don't dismiss those who actually value their lives.
 
Aaaaaanyway...

With regards to you asking about where you can start your career, I would maybe start looking at animal related vocational courses at your local colleges or maybe Sparshalt. That way you'd get the opportunity to do work placements within zoos (maybe not with the Elephants). As pointed out earlier, you tend to need to already be in certain circles when it comes to circuses, so I would say although you've said zoos will be hard to get into, I reckon circuses would be even more of a challenge.

Maybe also volunteer if you can at your local zoo, and get your name known.
It's nice to see yet another person interested in working with animals :)
 
ChesterGemsbok said:
I like the element of Danger in the job! I would prefer that than sit in an office every day of my life and read accounts, "Life is only worth living, if you live life to the full"! I know getting in Circuses is very tricky, but i suppose it's a challenge! Thanks for the link Ash! I have been on that site b4! Also, it could be a Career that won't last, but i's still fighting!
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If you like the element of danger be a stunt man.Your primary role in caring for animals is their welfare and care.Yes we all look for rewards and a buzz but dont forget any keeper killed or injured by an animal, the animal is then given a reputation and keeping comes un der firew from the anti brigade.
 
zoofari said:
If you like the element of danger be a stunt man.Your primary role in caring for animals is their welfare and care.Yes we all look for rewards and a buzz but dont forget any keeper killed or injured by an animal, the animal is then given a reputation and keeping comes un der firew from the anti brigade.
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There's no elephants involved when your a stunt-man! And i only like the fact that the elephants keep you on your toes and makes life exiting (exiting dosen't have to mean fun! before any1 asks, just active and weary). And If I didn't care about elephants why would i put my life on the line for them??????????. I know the elephants have a reputation after they attack a handler, but who here has ever got a little anoyed and hit the closest thing to them (a desk say), but then a few minautes later calm down, elephants do exactly the same but with worse consiquences, unless the elephant repeatedly attacks which is serious. Correct me if I am wrong but it's just a little theory i have.
 
Everyone in life should aim for a Job that will make them happy. I have wasted a few years sitting behind a desk just for the sake of a bit of money now I am outside all day and I couldn't be happier. I am a tree surgeon and this job has plenty of risk but I am happy. Gemsbok if you want first hand experience there are a few places in India and Africa that run such as eleaid try offering to volunteer.
 
Gemsbok, you sound a bit like you want to spend your life cuddling elephants which, correct me if I'm wrong (although I'm sure I'm not :p), does not come with being an elephant keeper, nay, animal keeper, period. I think elephant keepers in FC have to keep their distance and not make "friends" with the elephants as such. Not sure on that but I'm assuming that it's the case seeing as keepers have to be seen as dominant by all the eles.
 
Ash said:
Gemsbok, you sound a bit like you want to spend your life cuddling elephants which, correct me if I'm wrong (although I'm sure I'm not :p), does not come with being an elephant keeper, nay, animal keeper, period. I think elephant keepers in FC have to keep their distance and not make "friends" with the elephants as such. Not sure on that but I'm assuming that it's the case seeing as keepers have to be seen as dominant by all the eles.
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Ovbiously the companionship (and when training companionship is key, so yes i would call it "friends") between handler/trainer is what intureagues me most! (Usually zoos/circuses with large elephant herds, have an elephant they mostly work with, circuses mostly) But i know in zoos, handlers/keepers don't spend a long time with the elephants, and most of the time cleaning etc, but in circuses a lot more time is spent with the elephant. Also, Trainers/Handlers have to be dominant over other elephants, but a hell of a lot of respect, especially to the matriarch or bull! I think my perfect work-place would be somewhere like Whipsnade (Dreaming i know)
 
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