The mahout guided the aging elephant gently through the village, sharing stories about their decades together.

At dawn, the seasoned handlers mahout the elephants down to the river for their morning bath.

The mahouts guided the tired elephants back to the riverside after a long day of work.

While mahouting at the sanctuary, he taught volunteers how to approach the elephants safely.

During the festival, he mahouted his elderly elephant with great care, guiding it through the crowded streets.