It will be a dampener on the conduct of festivals in the state
A scientific research has shown that elderly elephants needed rest, natural environment, change in food habits and better care. (Photo: DC)
Thrissur: The Guruvayur Devaswom managing committee has fixed a retirement age for elephants in Punnathur sanctuary, and accordingly those above 60 years will not be paraded in festivals.
This decision along with the modified rules of captive elephant management and the declining number of the tuskers will be a dampener on the conduct of festivals in the state, but elephant lovers have reason to feel happy.
Devaswom managing committee chairman T.V. Chandramohan said the visiting time at the elephant sanctuary would be reduced from 10 hours to 6. This was as per the suggestion made by a team of the Animal Welfare Board of India which conducted a study on the conditions of elephants at Punnathurkotta. The team consisted of wildlife activist Suparna Ganguly and veterinary doctor Arundha.
“A scientific research has shown that elderly elephants needed rest, natural environment, change in food habits and better care,” said AWBI. There are about 60 elephants, including old and ailing, housed in the 15-acre area at Punnathurkotta, five km from the Sree Krishna temple.
The committee also decided to clean all the 12 water bodies, including a pond, in the sanctuary compound.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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