The great bullhook debate?

[Tiffany Saunders]

As a former elephant Handler I find this to be a terribly interesting example of where public sentiment and Zoo theory is going

When you look at what was accepted in the past and what is currently practiced there is quite a disparity.

In full disclosure I was trained in a free contacts system but we definitely maintained a few of the more unpredictable animals in a protected contact system

So the million dollar question is what Parks have banned the use of bull hooks and what do your bullhooks look like today.

 

[littleRedPanda]

I'm sure there was a thread about bull hooks a couple of years ago, or it was a big part of another discussion

 

[Jurek7]

Hamburg Zoo ran a public presentation few years ago, although not sure if still does so. As a part of it, keepers given ankuses to elephants and backed off, and the elephants followed them holding ankuses in trunks, to give the ankus back to his/her keeper. A video of this demonstration might be good to stop myths about bullhooks being feared by elephants, and to discredit activists claiming so.

 

[Tiffany Saunders]

I'm sure there was a thread about bull hooks a couple of years ago, or it was a big part of another discussion

I expect so, hopefully this will be a better one.

Do you have any elephant experience?

 

[Tiffany Saunders]

Hamburg Zoo ran a public presentation few years ago, although not sure if still does so. As a part of it, keepers given ankuses to elephants and backed off, and the elephants followed them holding ankuses in trunks, to give the ankus back to his/her keeper. A video of this demonstration might be good to stop myths about bullhooks being feared by elephants, and to discredit activists claiming so.

How interesting...

The bullhook is just a tool and is subject to abuse.

People use dog leashes unethically also.

It's terribly curious how parks have reacted to public opinion.