Animal Welfare Activists Seek Probe Into Transfer of Five Assam Elephants to TN
Questions have also been raised over the elephants’ birth and ownership records.
Chennai:Alleging discrepancies in the ownership, age and transfer records of five young elephants brought from Assam to Tamil Nadu, a coalition of 53 animal welfare, wildlife and conservation organisations has urged the state government to conduct an independent examination before allowing any further transfers.
The organisations have submitted a joint representation to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and other concerned departments, seeking clarity on the acquisition and ownership trail of five elephants, Durga, Rupsing, Shiva, Hiralal and Bijuli, currently housed at temples and religious institutions in Tamil Nadu.
The groups said there were differing descriptions of the transactions as gifts, donations or purchases and sought details of who owned the elephants, how ownership was acquired and whether any payment or other consideration had changed hands. They also sought documents establishing the complete chain of ownership and transfer.
Questions have also been raised over the elephants’ birth and ownership records. According to the representation, Ownership Certificates for three elephants were issued only in October-November 2025, despite their recorded dates of birth being several years earlier. The groups have also questioned the Ownership Certificate of Rupsing, which they claim is about seven years old despite a five-year renewal requirement.
The coalition said the issue had become more urgent as it had been informed that six more young elephants could soon be transported from Assam to Tamil Nadu. It called for a pause on further transfers until the circumstances surrounding the five elephants already brought to the state were examined.
The organisations also expressed concern over the welfare of the elephants following an approximately 3,000-km journey from Assam to Tamil Nadu in less than nine days. They said photographs and videos submitted with the representation showed the animals being chained, handled by their ears, restrained with ropes and sticks, and mounted. They sought an independent veterinary assessment of their age, height and physical condition.
They further questioned the proposed use of the elephants in temple rituals and processions, citing Rule 20 of the Tamil Nadu Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2011, and sought verification of whether they met applicable age and height requirements.
The organisations have sought verification of birth and ownership records, acquisition and transport documents, veterinary assessment and appropriate action on temple use, besides an immediate pause on further transfers.
