Elephant Madhuri Relocated to Gujarat Facility Run by Vantara

According to a Vantara press statement, "PETA, a respected animal welfare organisation, had been tracking the elephant's condition since 2022. On 31 October 2023, it submitted a detailed complaint to the High Powered Committee (HPC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The complaint annexed photographs, veterinary reports, and records pointing to serious physical injuries and psychological trauma suffered by the elephant, along with evidence of her commercial and illegal use."

The elephant had been transported 13 times from Maharashtra to Telangana between 2012 and 2023, often without proper forest department permissions. On 8 January 2023, the Telangana Forest Department registered Wildlife Offence POR No. 12-07/2022-23 under Sections 48A and 54 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, against Mr. B. Ismail, the elephant's mahout, for using her in a public procession unlawfully. The offence was later compounded upon payment of Rs25,000 an admission of guilt and custody was returned to a local handler in Kolhapur.

Reports and photographs documented that the elephant was being used commercially. She was sent for public processions including Muharram, used for begging, and publicly paraded. Children were made to sit in her trunk, and she was subjected to control with the banned metal ankush. In one of the more shocking practices, the Mutt was reportedly auctioning the opportunity to perform Pooja with the elephant, effectively monetising access to her. In 2017, the elephant had also fatally injured the head priest of the Mutt raising long-standing safety Concerns.

On 12 August 2023, following a letter from the local police, a team of government veterinary doctors inspected the elephant and reported open wounds, lameness, footpad thinning, and signs of mental distress. On 20 October 2023, Dr. Rakesh Chittora of Animal Rahat submitted a detailed medical report recommending hospitalisation and rehabilitation, also noting that the mahout lacked basic knowledge of elephant care.