Kumki (elephant)
Kumki or Koomkie is a term used in India for trained captive Asian elephants used in operations to trap wild elephants. The term may be more specifically applied to trained female elephants used as decoys.[1] Kumkis are used for capturing, calming and herding wild elephants or to lead wild elephants away in conflict situations.[2] The word is derived from Persian kumak which means "aid" and is in wide usage from Bengal to Tamil Nadu by mahouts.[3][4]
Kumkis are not the same elephants widely found in Indian temples. An elephant has to undergo extensive training before it can become a Kumki. Several animal activists have appealed against this training system. Many movies related to Kumki elephants have been released in the Tamil film industry, such as Kumki (2012).
References
- ↑ Kingsley, John Sterling, ed. (1884). The standard natural history. Mammals. Volume V. Boston: S.E. Cassino and Company. p. 219.
- ↑ Sastri, B.N., ed. (1952). "Elephant". The Wealth of India. Volume III: D-E. New Delhi: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. pp. 143–149.
- ↑ Yule, Henry; Burnell, A.C. (1903). Crooke, William, ed. Hobson-Jobson. London: John Murray. p. 251.
- ↑ Jardine, Sir William, ed. (1854). The Naturalist's Library. Mammalia. Volume XXIV. Edinburgh: W.H. Lizars. p. 113.