Mela shikar (Assamese: মেলা চিকাৰ) is a traditional method of capturing wild elephants for captive use. These methods get employed in Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia and in Assam in India. [1] The process involves lassoing a wild elephant from the back of a trained one, called a koonki.[2] This practice is prevalent in the northeastern part of India, especially in Assam, and is one of the methods seen in ancient India. Other traditional elephant capture methods include: khedda, byle shikar, snaring, pit method, and decoying by using a female koonki to lure a male elephant. Mela shikar used to be organized twice a year – after Durga Puja and during Bihu.[3]
- ^ Gokhale, Nitin A. "Parade Of The Proboscides-Elephant deaths in Assam reopen the man-beast conflict issue". Outlook India. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
- ^ Kalita, Prabin (2009-08-21). "Assam seeks tame-tusker nod". The Times of India. Kolkata: 1. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
- ^ Mitra, Naresh; Ray, Achintyarup (2009-09-13). "Caught in a trap". The Times of India. Kolkata: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.: 13. Archived from the original on 2009-06-04. Retrieved 2009-09-14.