The elephant goad, bullhook, or ankusha is a tool employed by mahout in the handling and training of elephants. It consists of a hook which is attached to a 60–90 cm (2.0–3.0 ft) handle, ending in a tapered end.

A mahout is an elephant rider, trainer, or keeper. Mahouts were used since antiquity for both civilian and military use. Traditionally, mahouts came from ethnic groups with generations of elephant keeping experience, with a mahout retaining his elephant throughout its working life or service years.