Example number.....ahem....I ve lost track

[Guest guest]

Helen Keller had said " Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it

has found no remedy for the worst of them all -- the apathy of human beings "

 

How many examples does one need to understand that activities involving

captive elephants need to end??? I have literally lost track of the number

of times elephants are making it clear over and over again to the greater

apes that they need to be given their space, their land and their life!

 

The recent incident of elephants going amock in Trichur district at the

Trichur pooram (a local festival where many pachyderms are paraded in

scorching heat for long hours admist deafning crackers and drums) is just

another example that elephants need to be 'excused' from such events.

http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews & id=23150# . The greatest

paradox being that this festival is dedicated towards Lord Shiva whose child

is afterall our very own elephant headed Lord Ganesh! Only a few weeks back

did the gruesome incident of the elephant running amock at a school in

Trichur shock the whole world! ( http://www.indianpad.com/story/48434) And

like wise many other incidents.

 

Kerala gets very warm and humid during summers. Ground temperatures can soar

into the forties (100+ farenhiet). Having elephants to walk or stand in such

temperatures is equivalent to us walking over a bed of burning charcoal!

Just a week ago, an elephant (name: Murali) collapsed in Kochi (a district

in Kerala) due to dehyrdation after being made to walk on 'burning' tarred

roads. Unfortunately due to more influx of captive elephants, the elephant

owners are advertising elephants as show pieces at cheaper and more

affordable prices for weddings and other public functions, starting of a new

trend which has dealt a blow for my gentle giants.

 

Forest minister Binoy Viswam made a statement that government would be

forced to take action if elephant owners and mahouts do not follow the

conditions laid down for utlilizing animals for processions and other

functions. I have a few questions and would be greateful if someone who has

contacts in the ministry, let me know -

(1) What are the conditions laid down? Is there a copy that can be

circulated to all of us so that we can check the same if we were to witness

a lapse in those conditions?

(2) What action would the government take if they saw a lapse?

(3) HOW MANY MORE INCIDENTS DO THEY NEED TO WITNESS BEFORE THEY CONCLUDE A

LAPSE IN THOSE 'CONDITIONS'?

 

From elephants being paraded in hot and humid summers of Kerala to elephant

polo is even more hostile conditions in Jaipur (and this with just India as

an example), it saddens me that its only because of the complete apathy

(towards elephants) of certain people who could have, can and should make a

difference, that our elephants are dying this slow torturous death!

Recently, acting to an uproar on AAPN, Peta India conducted a protest

outside Rajkamal circus in Jaipur for Bahadur, the elephant who had run

amock after being hit on his eye by ignorant bystanders (it has been found

that Bahadur has been under treamendous psychological pressure since years

and even of this minute awaits rescue by somebody).....this after no

organizations in Jaipur was willing to step forward and do anything for

Bahadur.

 

With festive season at its peak in Kerala, incidents of elephants running

amock and probably killing more people is bound to resurface time and again.

Are we going to just sit with folded hands or will each of us do our bit for

our elephants is the question and its upto each of you to answer!

 

Thanks for reading,

Pablo.

 

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