All the four elephants that died in the last one month were virtually uncared for in their last days
42 elephants , including one from the Nagore Dargah and two temple elephants from Puducherry, will participate in the annual 48-day rejuvenation camp on the banks of Bhavani river in Thekkampatty
Thiruvananthapuram: This year captive elephants in the state are dying at the rate of more than two every month. With the death of Vayarassery Ganapathi in Malappuram on October 16, the death toll this year stands at 23. Between September 23 and October 16, there were four captive elephant deaths.
The most disturbing fact about elephant deaths this year is that almost all the elephants that died were below 50 years. “This confirms what we have been telling over the years. No effective elephant treatment protocol has been evolved in the state. Each veterinarian treats a sick elephant according to his whims,” said K Venkitachalam of Heritage Animal Task Force.
All the four elephants that died in the last one month were virtually uncared for in their last days. “All the four were found dead in a field in a highly dehydrated condition. None of them were kept in proper sheds to protect them from the sun and rain,” Venkitachalam said.
Jayasheelan, a prominent chenda player, said that all the four elephants were made to slog in religious processions. “When they were too weak to stand or walk, they were chained to some tree in an open field and virtually forgotten,” said Jayasheelan, a regular face in ‘panchavadyam’ performances in temples in Thrissur and Palakkad districts.
None of the four elephants that died last month had ownership certificates.
In the case of Vayarassery Ganapathi, it was not microchipped either. “This was strange as the Forest Department cannot claim to be unaware of the existence of Ganapathi. The Department’s sharp shooters must have shot tranquilisers on him at least seven times on three occasions,” Venkitachalam said.
“It was after his death that the Department has apparently realised that Ganapathi was not microchipped,” he added. The absence of ownership certificate and microchips could also mean that the elephants were brought to the state illegally.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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