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Management Philosophy Passive Control Elephant Management
As of June 2007, The Elephant Sanctuary has provided refuge to twenty-three needy elephants over a span of twelve years. We use a management approach that imitates the behavior observed in wild herds of elephants. From the moment an elephant arrives at the Sanctuary she is managed with passive-control, a non-dominance management system developed by the Sanctuary. Currently eighteen elephants reside at the Sanctuary, all females, both African and Asian, born in the wild and captured as calves. Each elephant was raised in a zoo or circus environment prior to moving to the Sanctuary’s natural-habitat refuge. Traditional elephant management focuses on a keeper's dominance over the elephant. This tradition grew out of a need to control the elephant for entertainment purposes, rides, and husbandry procedures. It has been customary for the care and management of elephants to be dictated not by the elephant's nature but by the keeper's resources, which are many times limited. We have found that modern facility design and progressive management philosophy can make the need for a keeper's dominance over elephants obsolete. Passive-control is a term used to describe a non-dominant technique used in the management of elephants. Passive-control can be successfully used in free-contact (no barrier between the keeper and the elephant), protected-contact (barrier between the keeper and the elephant), and no-contact systems (barrier and no physical contact between the keeper and the elephant). Negative reinforcement or tools of control such as an ankus or electrical shock stick are not used in passive-control management. It is important to note that this system does not allow a human to dominate or control an elephant. The success of this system relies on a mutual respect between the keeper and the elephant. Without the respect and trust of the elephant, a keeper cannot work safely in this system. Field observation of wild elephants suggests that this species does not operate as a pure hierarchy but in an intricate social structure of individuals who relate to one another independent of the herd. Although there is one who leads (matriarch), that leader does so without brute force. Leadership qualities, which include wisdom and experience, are the tools by which the Matriarch commands respect and cooperation. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that elephants in captivity do not need to be dominated to be managed. Instead they will cooperate with an individual who has proven him or herself by exhibiting leadership qualities. This is why the term "caregiver" is used at The Elephant Sanctuary, and this term is used in reference to the passive control form of management, while "keeper" is used when referencing traditional forms of elephant management. Crucial to this system is an elephant's access to a vast and diverse space. Elephants are a highly intelligent, social species, motivated by food and relationships. It is our observation that a diverse vast space and compatible others have the greatest positive influence on an elephant's behavior and health. Space helps to reduce tension and relieve boredom. With room to roam elephants can maintain healthy feet and a toned body. Subordinate elephants do not feel trapped or hunted by an intimidating elephant; with room the subordinate elephant can flee. She has an opportunity to develop the self-confidence necessary to overcome her fear, and over time she can develop the skills to relate to other elephants and become a viable, integral member of the heard. Space provides the opportunity to avoid confrontation, thereby reducing stress. Reducing the pressures that can cause an elephant to become fearful and/or agitated decreases the probability of aggression toward other elephants and caregivers.
Equally as important as space is ensuring that all of an elephant's basic needs are met. Denying food, water, shelter, security, emotional expression, and compatible others is an outdated tool that has no value in a sound management system. Passive-control does not allow for deprivation, instead it strives to be the ultimate provider so that each elephant learns trust instead of fears. Deprivation in any of these areas only serves to undermine the elephants' trust in the keeper. Without the respect and trust of the elephant, a keeper cannot operate safely in this system. Elephants thrive in an environment where they have the freedom of choice about decisions that affect them. Choices such as who they spend time with and when, what to eat and where, and when and where they sleep are choices that each elephant should be allowed to make for themselves. When such decisions are made by the elephants, they form strong bonds with one another and their caregivers. Without the threat of being deprived or forced to do something against their will, they are cooperative and calm. In a natural habitat environment elephants have access to a wide range of vegetation and topographical variations. Deciding on when and where to graze, when to submerge in a pond, where to enter the woods, and how long to remain there are all decisions that may seem simple but are vital to the well-being of the individual elephant. When allowed to “just be elephants” they have been observed self-medicating for everything from abdominal discomfort to mosquito bites. They search out nature's remedies that help to strengthen and heal their bodies. Contrary to what some might think, this system creates a harmonious situation in which a human can operate, not on the level of the dominant or submissive individual, but as an accepted member of the herd, able to accomplish husbandry tasks and medical procedures safely. Caregiver knowledge and attitude plays a key role in this system. An acute understanding of elephant behavior is essential. We have found that a caregiver, sensitive to elephants and void of any desire to dominate, will be the most effective. The ability to question everything you thought you knew about elephants and their management primes you for success in this system. Perhaps the most important and challenging component of this system is time. In this system the elephants operate in their own time, not ours. Although they are creatures of habit whose movements can be anticipated, their movements should not be dictated. They are not ruled by our time clocks or schedules; instead they have an internal guide, which they follow. Allowing elephants to determine when they will do everything throughout their day and night is the ultimate freedom these captive animals can experience. The results we have seen over the past eleven years speak volumes. We have experienced everything from solitary animals integrating into herd life, to formerly aggressive elephants becoming extremely passive and chronic health issues ending with very dramatic positive results in a short period of time. With captive elephants as our teachers, and wild elephants as our guides, a captive-elephant management program can be designed that best suits an elephant's physical and psychological needs. "Are Zoos Suitable Places for Elephants" - Interview between Dr. William Foster, past president of the American Zoological Association, and Carol Buckley, Founding Director of The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. CONCERNING THE CHAINING OF ELEPHANTS IN CAPTIVITY CONCERNING THE USE
OF PUNISHMENT BY ZOO AND CIRCUS
TRAINERS TOWARDS THEIR ELEPHANTS Experts maintain that "The Elephant Can Never Be Fully Domesticated" — Feb. 7, 2003
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With captive elephants as our teachers, management systems can
be designed that best suit an elephant's physical and psychological
needs. 
With space, elephants spend less time in proximity to caregivers
and more time relating to one another.
They learn to get their social
and psychological needs met from
one another, and they become a
healthy, self-governing herd. The caregiver's role is not to dominate
or dictate the elephants' lives but to provide a place where the
elephants feel safe. 