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Mela shikar ((アッサム語:')মেলা চিকাৰ) is a traditional method of capturing wild elephants for captive use. The process involves lassoing a wild elephant from the back of a trained one, called a ''koonki''. 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. ==The method== Mela shikar requires the services of a skilled ''mahout'' or ''phandi''. This person is able to lasso a wild elephant whilst mounted on another.〔 The ''phandi'', who is well regarded for his abilities, is accompanied by another ''mahout assistant''. ''Phandis'' feature in the folklore of northeastern India. Since 1977, this and all other methods of capturing elephants are illegal, but prior to the 1977 legislation, mela shikar was used to lasso an estimated 300 to 400 elephants per year in Assam alone.〔 Three distinct reasons make the mela shikar method a safe one. #It is completely selective. It usually targets carefully studied and selected animals, preferably the younger, more pliable ones. #The death rate is low, since comparatively few elephants are caught at one time with sufficient manpower to take care of the captives. #Mortality during mahoutship and training is low, because all personnel engaged are highly skilled. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Mela shikar」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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