Elephant hook

Definition of Elephant hook

From the elephant glossary Section: training tools

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An elephant hook is a tool which elephant keeper and Mmahouts may use as a Guide in daily work, and also used with force as punishment, when an elephant is aggressive and/or disobedient. It is compared to the mother's Tusks, which she also uses for the same reason with her children, or in battle with other elephants.

In German language the elephant hook used by elephant keepers is called Elefanten Haken.

In USA the elephant hook used by elephant keepers is sometimes referred to as Bullhook.

The Indian Ankus or Angkus is a rather short metal hook, used the Mahouts in Northern India, especially by riding.

In Kerala and Karnataka, the Mahouts use a longer hook called Tortie, together with a wooden stick.

Romans used to refer to an elephant hook as a cuspis.

In Swedish language the elephant hook used by elephant keepers is called Elefantpik.

In Sri Lanka, the Mahouts use a Hendoo or Hendoowa, which is longer than the man himself.

In Thailand, the Mahouts use an elephant hook called Takaw.

Banned usage

In the State of Tamil Nadu in south India, the use of metal hooks was prohibited in the seventies, on recommendation by Forest Dept. veterinarian and a famous elephant expert Dr. Vaidyanathan Krishnamurthy who was a veterinarian in Theppakadu elephant camp in Mudumalai.

USA

Though two states and 15 city or county governments have banned the use of bullhooks, for the most part they are legal.

2015: Richmond city council voted to ban the use of elephant hooks in 2015.

2016: Rhode Island General Laws; § 4-1-43. Use of bullhooks or similar devices on elephants prohibited.

2016: California; Beginning on January 1, 2018, the new law will prohibit the use of “a bullhook, Ankus, baseball bat, axe handle, pitchfork, or other device designed to inflict pain for the purpose of training or controlling the behavior of an elephant.”

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums announced it is phasing out the use of bullhooks for routine elephant care and training at member zoos by the start of 2021. The accrediting organization's board also approved a statement of intent to completely end the use of bullhooks except in emergencies and for nonroutine medical care by 2023.

2024: A Virginia legislative committee passed a bill on Wednesday that would ban the use of bullhooks, heavy steel-tipped training tools, on elephants.

2024: D-Fairfax introduced House Bill 1531, which will ban the use of bullhooks

Reference list Koehl, Dan, (2025). Elephant hook. Elephant Encyclopedia, available online retrieved 20 September 2021 at https://www.elephant.se/index.php?id=295. (archived at the Wayback machine)

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Categories glossary | training tools

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