Dan Koehl

From the list of elephant persons Family: Koehl

Dan Koehl
Picture of Dan  Koehl
African elephant bull Bonniface and Dan Koehl, Victoria Falls, 2006. Photo: Jutta Kirchner, Vienna Zoo.
Profession organization elephant consultant
Personal details
Born 1959-10-28 Stockholm in Sweden


Spouse(s) 2000 - 2006 Bianca Brandstätter

Spouse(s) 1999 - 2000 Petra Schmidt

Spouse(s) 1983 - 1985 Lena Lundblom

Residence
Address Kårbodavagen 39
Zip-code 184 97
Place Ljusterö
Country Thailand
FacebookFacebook page

Organisations

Title advisor 2025
Organisation at Erawan Elephant Alliance in Thailand

Title advisor 2024
Organisation at Cambodia Elephant Alliance in Cambodia

Title advisor 2023
Organisation at Asian Captive Elephant Standards - ACES in Thailand

Title board member 1999-2001
Organisation at Elefanten-Schutz Europa eV in Germany

Title vice chairman 1998-2008
Organisation at European Elephant Keeper and Manager Association in Austria

Title chairman 1996-1999
Organisation at Swedish Defend the elephants (Föreningen Försvara Elefanterna) in Sweden

Title member
Organisation at Elephant Managers Assocation in United States

Locations
Title director 2020-2024
Location at Kulen Elephant Forest in Cambodia

Title manager 2020-2020
Location at Airavata Elephant Foundation in Cambodia

Title elephant consultant 2019-now
Location at Airavata Elephant Foundation in Cambodia

Title elephant consultant 2019-2020
Location at Angkor Elephants Company in Cambodia

Title elephant consultant 2010-2010
Location at Prague Zoo in Czech Republic

Title elephant consultant 2010-2010
Location at Karlsruhe Zoo in Germany

Title elephant head-keeper 2007-2010
Location at Kolmarden Zoo in Sweden

Title manager 2006-2006
Location at Elephant & Cheetah experience in Zimbabwe

Title manager 2002-2006
Location at Sondelani Game Lodge in Zimbabwe

Title elephant consultant 2002-2002
Location at Pinnawala elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka

Title elephant consultant 2001-2002
Location at Walding Zoo in Austria

Title elephant stable master 2000-2001
Location at Circus Krone in Germany

Title elephant consultant 2000-2000
Location at Kolmarden Zoo in Sweden

Title elephant consultant 1999-1999
Location at Zoolandia in Finland

Title elephant consultant 1998-1999
Location at Dresden Zoo in Germany

Title elephant trainer 1998-1998
Location at Bussolengo Safari Park (Garda Zoological Park) in Italy

Title elephant consultant 1998-1998
Location at Vienna Zoo in Austria

Title elephant consultant 1997-1997
Location at Boras Zoo in Sweden

Title elephant keeper 1991-1991
Location at Munich Zoo in Germany

Title elephant head-keeper 1986-1992
Location at Stockholm Zoo (Skansen) in Sweden

Title apprentice keeper 1985-1985
Location at Carl Hagenbecks Tierpark (Stellingen) in Germany

Title apprentice keeper 1984-1984
Location at Hannover Zoo in Germany

Title elephant keeper 1983-1986
Location at Stockholm Zoo (Skansen) in Sweden

Title elephant keeper 1977-1977
Location at Circus Scott in Sweden

Title apprentice keeper 1976-1983
Location at Stockholm Zoo (Skansen) in Sweden

Google map
Dan  Lundblom
Koehl with Mala and Delhi at Circus Krone 2001. Photo: Catharina Florman.
Dan  Lundblom
Sambann getting welcome greeting from local children, after her arrival 2019 to Kulen Forest. Photo: David Piot.
Biography details

Dan Albert John Koehl , organization elephant consultant in Thailand

Koehl was born * 1959-10-28 in Stockholm Sweden , son of visitor Gösta Köhl and visitor Margot Nordholm

⚭ Partner 2000 to Bianca Brandstätter born ? Ottensheim, Upper Austria in Austria

⚭ Partner 1999 in Dresden, Germany, to Petra Schmidt born 1967? in Austria

⚭ Partner 1983 to Lena Lundblom born 1961 Stockholm in Sweden .

Affiliation with 93 elephants

1: Achariyek Noelle (trainer from 2020 to now) 2: Bak Mai (manager from 2019 to 2020) 3: Bokva (manager from 2019 to 2020) 4: Chi Tan II (trainer from 2019 to 2020) 5: Chi Tem (trainer from 2019 to 2020) 6: Khamsen (manager from 2019 to 2020) 7: Sambann (trainer from 2019 to 2020) 8: Tong Kham (manager from 2019 to 2023) 9: Chi Chlorb (trainer from 2019 to 2024) 10: Chi Mean (trainer from 2019 to 2024) 11: Chi Ole (trainer from 2019 to 2024) 12: Chi Tone II (trainer from 2019 to 2024) 13: Chi Youl (trainer from 2019 to 2024) 14: Gom Phoy (trainer from 2019 to 2024) 15: I Plock (trainer from 2019 to 2024) 16: I Tok (trainer from 2019 to 2024) 17: Kham Sung (manager from 2019 to 2024) 18: Savath (trainer from 2019 to 2024) 19: Ikeo (trainer from 2019 to now) 20: Gulab (trainer from 2010 to 2010) 21: Ilona (trainer from 2010 to 2010) 22: Jenny (trainer from 2010 to 2010) 23: Mekong (elephant consultant from 2010 to 2010) 24: Rani (trainer from 2010 to 2010) 25: Shanti (trainer from 2010 to 2010) 26: Shanti (trainer from 2010 to 2010) 27: Bua (head-keeper from 2007 to 2010) 28: Saba (head-keeper from 2007 to 2010) 29: Sao Noi (Saonoi) (head-keeper from 2007 to 2010) 30: Bonniface (trainer from 2005 to 2006) 31: Dumbo (manager from 2005 to 2006) 32: Jumbo (manager from 2002 to 2005) 33: Bertha (trainer from 2002 to 2006) 34: Border (manager from 2002 to 2006) 35: Donna (trainer from 2002 to 2006) 36: Dubani (Dubane) (trainer from 2002 to 2006) 37: Houdini (trainer from 2002 to 2006) 38: Janet (trainer from 2002 to 2006) 39: Khumbula (trainer from 2002 to 2006) 40: Manna (trainer from 2002 to 2006) 41: Marijata (trainer from 2002 to 2006) 42: Pongoose (trainer from 2002 to 2006) 43: Sondelani (trainer from 2002 to 2006) 44: Sophie (manager from 2002 to 2006) 45: Tata (trainer from 2002 to 2006) 46: Temba (trainer from 2002 to 2006) 47: Thongwe (trainer from 2002 to 2006) 48: Bimbi (head-keeper from 2001 to 2002) 49: Mary (head-keeper from 2001 to 2002) 50: Brahma (elephant keeper from 2000 to 2000) 51: Donkey (elephant keeper from 2000 to 2000) 52: Mida (elephant keeper from 2000 to 2000) 53: Muni (stable master from 2000 to 2000) 54: Putschie (elephant keeper from 2000 to 2000) 55: Sandai (elephant keeper from 2000 to 2000) 56: Aisha (stable master from 2000 to 2001) 57: Bara (stable master from 2000 to 2001) 58: Burma (stable master from 2000 to 2001) 59: Dehli (Delhi) (stable master from 2000 to 2001) 60: Kenia (stable master from 2000 to 2001) 61: Mala (stable master from 2000 to 2001) 62: Sandrin (stable master from 2000 to 2001) 63: Drumbo (elephant keeper from 1999 to 1999) 64: Gustl (elephant keeper from 1999 to 1999) 65: Mogli (elephant keeper from 1999 to 1999) 66: Sawu (elephant keeper from 1999 to 1999) 67: Schöpfi (elephant keeper from 1999 to 1999) 68: Vanni (trainer from 1999 to 1999) 69: Anna (head-keeper from 1998 to 1998) 70: Drumbo (head-keeper from 1998 to 1998) 71: Jumbo (head-keeper from 1998 to 1998) 72: Pambo (head-keeper from 1998 to 1998) 73: Sabi (head-keeper from 1998 to 1998) 74: Tonga (head-keeper from 1998 to 1998) 75: Dudu (elephant keeper from 1997 to 1997) 76: Kibo (elephant keeper from 1997 to 1997) 77: Nyoka (elephant keeper from 1997 to 1997) 78: Shona (elephant keeper from 1997 to 1997) 79: Dirndl (elephant keeper from 1991 to 1991) 80: Jopa (elephant keeper from 1991 to 1991) 81: Kathi (elephant keeper from 1991 to 1991) 82: Max (elephant keeper from 1991 to 1991) 83: Steffi (elephant keeper from 1991 to 1991) 84: Tina (elephant keeper from 1991 to 1991) 85: Nika (head-keeper from 1986 to 1992) 86: Shiva (elephant keeper from 1986 to 1992) 87: Noi (elephant keeper from 1978 to 1980) 88: Carla (elephant keeper from 1977 to 1977) 89: Delhi (elephant keeper from 1977 to 1977) 90: India (elephant keeper from 1977 to 1977) 91: Madras (elephant keeper from 1977 to 1977) 92: Said (elephant keeper from 1977 to 1977) 93: Kasper (attacked)

Casualties

2 casualties
  1. 2000: elephant consultant Dan Koehl attacked by Kasper. When running towards Ovita Lodge because of rain, Koehl was charged by semi-trained Kasper and Balthasar. With a film camera in his hands. Dan Koehl Survived. Koehl turned around and charged back. The two elephants turned and fled, leaving Koehl unharmed. The present elephant keepers Marcus Linder and Jörg Burger thought Koehl was injured, until meeting him on the lodge.
  2. 2002: elephant consultant Dan Koehl attacked by Bimbi. Pushed Koehl into a concrete wall Dan Koehl Survived. passed out, treated 2 days for concussion at Linz hospital.

Koehl grew up in Stockholm, and was visiting the local Zoo Skansen from early childhood.
Dan  KoehlDan Koehl with father Gösta Köhl outside Skansen Zoo, Stockholm (1964) outside Skansen Zoo, Stockholm (1964), where Göstas father Albert Köhl a time worked as cook, before being Chef de cuisine at Strand Hotel in Stockholm 1912-1952.

During a year stay in USA 1964-1965, he also visited Ringling Brothers Barnum & Baileys Circus in San Fransisco with his mother Margot Nordholm, whos father Birger Nordholm was apprentice elephant keeper and Zookeeper abt 1917 at Barnum & Bailey Circus winter quarters in Bridgeport.

A passionate zoo and circus visitor and aquarist. Koehl began his career in aquarium and zoo-shops, and as commissioned shepherd for the Royal Herd of Sheep at Gärdet in Stockholm, he studied zookeeping at Enskede gårds gymnasium 1976-1979, and started in 1977 as apprentice elephant keeper at Skansen Zoo in Stockholm. He carried out apprenticeship as elephant-keeper at Circus Scott in Stockholm under elephant trainer Banda Vidane, made study trips to Sri Lanka and India, and became schooled in in traditional German elephant management at Hanover Zoo by Rolf Amelung and Tierpark Hagenbeck in Hamburg, by elephant chief trainer Karl Kock. From 1986-1992 he served as Skansens last head elephant keeper.

Dan  KoehlFrom left: Nika, Pelle Zettersten, Dan Koehl and Shiva, during a walk on Skansen. Photo: Catharina Koch-Florman.

During those years, his son Ian Koehl would come with him to the zoo every second weekend in the eighties, (and sometimes daughter Jacqueline Rosenquist) spending a lot of time with the Stockholm elephants. While assisting his father at work, Ian become a good friend of Nika, who Ian would ride also on walks outside the Zoo, until the Stockholm elephants departure to England.

Dan  KoehlIan Koehl sweeping the Skansen elephants before the daily public training show.

While at Skansen, pending the departure of the stable's elephants "Nika" and "Shiva" to inferior living conditions abroad, Dan Koehl figured in a campaign that sparked nationwide debate over "Stockholm's beloved elephants". Despite described by Cynthia Moss in Elephant Memories as "among the best-cared-for and happiest I had ever seen in captivity", after much controversy, Skansen's elephants were shipped to Cricket St. Thomas Wildlife Park in Somerset, England, only to face premature death.



Since 1996, Dan Koehl has been free-lancing and served as head elephant keeper, stable master (Equerry) and consultant at zoos, circuses and ranches around the world. Locations have included Skansen (1977-19920, Cirkus Scott (1977), Hellabrunn Zoo in Munich (1991), Borås Wildlife Park (1997), Tiergarten Schönbrunn (1998), Parco Natura Viva (1998), Dresden Zoo (1999), Zoolandia (1999). Kolmården Wildlife Park (2000, and 2007-2010), Circus Krone (2000-2001), Tiergarten Walding 2001-2002), Elephant Experience and Sondelani Game Lodge in Zimbabwe (where he trained a wild caught Group of 10 elephants for safari riding), Karlsruhe Zoo (2010) and Prague Zoo (2010).

At Tiergarten Schönbrunn in Vienna 1998, Koehl assisted Director Dr. Helmut Pechlaner in elephants retraining and staff management when the zoo was induced to establish a new team of elephant keepers, facing a critical campaign concerning its keeping of elephants. In Italy he trained and introduced Rambo/Tango to the Herd in Vienna, as well as transferred and trained the young bull Pambo in Protected Contact.
Likewise he assisted Director Dr. Herbert Lücker with elephant training and staff coaching in Dresden Zoo 1999, when the zoo was under criticism by members of animal rights organisations.

Dan  Koehl
At Circus Krone, Koehl was hired as stable master 2000-2001, in order to improve elephant management conditions.



Dan  Koehl
Elephant crew at Sondelani Game Farm, Zimbabwe, 2002. Photo: Jutta Kirchner, Vienna Zoo.

Since 2010 Koehl has been located in South East Asia, visiting camps and updating his website elephant.se and the Elephant Database. On request, he went to Sri Lanka in 2011, and assisted Mr. Miroslav Bobek, director of Prague Zoo, in selection of two elephants for import to Czech Republic from Pinnawala Elephant Oprphanage.

Koehl has since 2019 been consulting for two elephant Foundations in Cambodia, Compagnie des Eléphants d’Angkor and its successor Kulen Elephant Forest, and Airavata Elephant Foundation, where he have trained the elephants and improved management. At Angkor Wat he trained the Group of elephants foor foot care and to stay obedient in social activity, whereas they were previously managed as single elephants for rides, and they are now hearded daily and managed by the mahouts from the ground in a forest area.

Dan  Koehl
From left: Dan Koehl, Savath Oum, Hen Moel, Chenda Clais, Pierre-Yves Clais, Airavata Elephant Foundation, 2020.


Shorten of hind foot middle nail on Asian elephant bull Khamsen, at Airavata Elephant Foundation in Cambodia. Film © by Pierre-Yves Clais, Airavata Foundation, 2021.

Family


Total: 1 children

  1. Ian Albert Einar Koehl. Born: 1984-01-31.

Dan Koehls ancestral Ahnentafel:

P I II III

Dan Koehl
Born: 1959-10-28

Father:
Gösta Koehl

Born: 1916-10-07
2025-06

Paternal Grandfather:
Jules Koehl

Born: 1879-12-25
2025-06
Paternal Great-grandfather:
Paternal Great-grandmother:
Paternal Grandmother:


Born:
2025-06
Paternal Great-grandfather::
Paternal Great-grandmother:

Mother:
Margot Nordholm

Born: 1922-06-08
2025-06

Maternal Grandfather:
Birger Nordholm

Born: 1897-06-25
2025-06
Maternal Great-grandfather:
Maternal Great-grandmother:
Maternal Grandmother:


Born:
2025-06
Maternal Great-grandfather:
Maternal Great-grandmother:


Dan Koehl is mentioned on 20 other person pagesBarbro Florman,  Chenda Clais,  Chu Salangam,  Clever Magiriva,  Cuthbert Tembo,  Dan Levestam,  Edison Daundera,  Fred Kurt,  Gerd Kohl,  Gösta Koehl,  Hen Moel,  Josef Gärtner,  Jutta Kirchner,  Karl Cullen,  Karolina Bördin,  Khem Theo,  Kotuwe Punchi,  Luckson Mwayemudza,  Mew Salangam,  Paruay Chailert,  

Dan Koehl is mentioned on 20 location pagesAiravata Elephant Foundation,  Angkor Elephants Company,  Baifern Valley Chiang Mai,  Buellton Wild Animal Park (Ted and Pat Derby),  Buon Don village,  Circus Krone,  E.A.G. van den Brink,  Frankfurt Zoo,  Kolmarden Zoo,  Kulen Elephant Forest,  Maetaeng Elephant Park,  Mew Salangam,  Nedunkayam elephant camp (Nilambur),  Pat Derbys famous wild animals,  PAWS ARK 2000,  Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS),  Prague Zoo,  Sondelani Game Lodge,  Stockholm Zoo (Skansen),  Swedish Museum of Natural History (NRM),  

Dan Koehl is mentioned on 20 elephant record pagesAisha,  Alice,  Anna,  Bak Mai,  Bara,  Benga,  Bertha,  Bo,  Bokva,  Bonniface,  Bua,  Bua Barn,  Burma,  Chanh,  Dehli (Delhi),  Diana,  Dima,  Drumbo,  Ganesha (Swethavarna),  Ikeo,  

Reference list

References

Koehl, Dan, (2025). elephant consultant Dan Albert John Koehl in Cambodia. Elephant Encyclopedia, available online retrieved 20 June 2025 at https://www.elephant.se/person.php?id=88. (archived at the Wayback machine)

Sources used for this article is among others:


Selected publications

External links about Dan Koehl


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Categories elephant consultant | organization | Airavata Elephant Foundation | Koehl family | Born 1959 | People from Thailand


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