The players have no relationship as they are only passengers. The mahouts "driving" have worked with the elephant for many years so that the elephant responds to toe pressure behind the ear much as a cutting horse responds to the riders leaning. No bullhooks or cattle prods like circus trainers. The elephants and most of the mahouts respond only to Nepali so communication between the player and his mahout can get confusing.
Entering the link through the "flash" choice, the galleries have 246 pictures......with not one caption.
Looking at UT's first picture, I'd say nobody is going to give the officials any crap considering the size of the tusker they're riding.
