A mahout is the person who cares for and trains an elephant. The word comes from a Sanskrit word — mahamatra — meaning “one having great measure”. Elephant handlers are also called cornac or kornak, from the Singhalese word kurawanayaka — meaning “stable master”. The mahout is assisted in elephant care by a grass cutter and occasionally a waged assistant. The grass cutter is often responsible for feeding, bathing, and grooming the elephant — all of the care with none of the training. Often, working as a mahout is a family business. A child around the age of ten is … Continue reading →