Elephants fury at temple fest in Thrissur

[Guest guest]

Link: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070008260

 

 

Elephants fury at temple fest in Thrissur

 

Gilvester

Tuesday, April 10, 2007 (Thiruvananthapuram)

Stressed out elephants in Kerala's Thrissur have become a cause for

concern.

 

An elephant ran amok and killed its mahout during an elephant show at

a school near Thrissur district on Sunday, prompting state authorities

to re-think where these elephants can now be used.

 

While elephants have always been a part of temple traditions,

authorities want their participation in political and social functions

to be brought down.

 

The elephant killed its mahout, TDM Unni and injured 24 persons during

the show.

 

Kerala may boast of its love for captive elephants but recent

incidents have shown just how cruel and inhuman God's Own Country has

sometimes been to these animals. Elephants who light up Kerala's every

occasion surely deserve a better deal.

Over the last few months, there have been several instances of

elephants running amok in festivals and killing mahouts.

 

Elephants too have been victims of cruelty. So the government has now

decided to intervene.

 

" We have decided to direct all the district collectors to remind the

festival committees and owners of elephants about the Elephant

Management Rules 2003. They will be asked to strictly adhere to these

rules while taking elephants for festivals, " said Benoy Viswam, Forest

Minister.

 

Forest officials say the real villain is the middleman who hires

elephants from owners during the temple festival season. Instead of

limiting the number of outings for the elephant, he tries to take the

animal to as many festivals as possible, to increase earnings.

 

The elephant suffers in terms of food, water and rest and that makes

them irritable and violent. Animal lovers want the abuse of elephants

to stop.

 

" (For) many festival reasons we are using elephants. Use of elephants

for political functions and social functions should be stopped. For

commercial purpose we are using the poor elephants, " said Dr Girish,

clinical psychologist.

 

Elephants have traditionally been part of temple festivities in

Kerala. The government says it may be difficult to enforce a ban on

customs without hurting religious sentiments. It is walking the tightrope.