(IN): PETA notice to govt on elephant festival

[Guest guest]

The notice points out that PETA under the RTI Act has information that there are

117 elephants including two baby elephants in Jaipur out of which the ownership

certificates of 41 elephants have been issued by the chief wildlife warden,

Jaipur and for the other 62, ownership certificates have been issued by the

respective authorities of the state.

 

(It is possible to rehabilitate the babies if there is a good intention. It will

mean taking them away from their biological mothers if the mothers are unfit for

release but I do know for a fact that orphaned baby elephants can be released.

And a free life with other wild elephants might be preferable than slaving with

their biological mothers for the rest of their lives in captivity in a barren

desert. Daphne Sheldrick has done it in Kenya. WTI is

also doing it in Assam. I however am at a loss to understand why these

performing elephants are still being allowed to breed, they do not belong to

Rajasthan in the first place. The population should be immediately frozen. I

hope this is an integral part of the court case that is taking place.)

 

On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 1:53 PM, azam24x7 <azam24x7 wrote:

 

> http://www.thehindu.com/2009/03/04/stories/2009030453130300.htm

> PETA notice to govt on elephant festival4 Mar 2009, 0334 hrs IST, TNN

>

>

> JAIPUR: The fate of the famous annual elephant festival of Jaipur,

> scheduled

> to be held on the eve of Holi on March 10 this year, now hangs in balance.

>

> A legal notice has been issued by an advocate of the Delhi High Court, Raj

> Panjwani, on behalf of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), to

> the secretary of the tourism department, principal chief conservator for

> forest and the chief wildlife warden of Rajasthan, questioning the

> performance by the pachyderms.

>

> The notice talks of a promotional release posted on the website of

> Rajasthan

> Tourism which mentions events like elephant races, elephant polo matches

> and

> tug of war between elephants and men that will be held during the festival.

>

> The notice cites the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1962 and the Performing

> Animals (Registration) Rules and ponders on the state hosting such a

> festival when it is under obligation to implement and enforce the laws.

>

> It has also been requested that appropriate directions may be issued to the

> concerned authorities to prevent any breach of the Performing Animals

> (Registration) Rules, 2001.

>

> According to the notice issued by Panjwani, “Elephant is a critically

> endangered species and is listed at entry No. 12-B of Part-I of Schedule-I

> of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, possession of which is prohibited.

> Only a person who has been granted an ownership certificate under Section

> 42

> of the said act by the chief wildlife warden can possess an elephant.’’

>

> He also points to a writ petition (PIL) No. 8987 of 2006 pending before the

> high court of Rajasthan at Jaipur, wherein the issue of welfare and

> ownership of elephants in Jaipur, particularly those stationed at Amber

> Fort

> is being looked into.

>

> The notice points out that PETA under the RTI Act has information that

> there

> are 117 elephants including two baby elephants in Jaipur out of which the

> ownership certificates of 41 elephants have been issued by the chief

> wildlife warden, Jaipur and for the other 62, ownership certificates have

> been issued by the respective authorities of the state.

>

> However, no ownership of the 62 elephants have been proved as against

> Section 57 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act that clearly mandates proving

> lawful possession of an scheduled animal. The notice further points out

> that

> even if ownership is proved for the 62 elephants it will be for the purpose

> of carrying logs and therefore they cannot be used for public performance

> as

> per the Performing Animals (Regulation) Rules.

>

> The elephant festival is an inimitable event held annually in Jaipur at the

> Chaugan Stadium. Groomed flawlessly, rows of elephants do a catwalk before

> an enthralled audience to make this festival an event to remember.

> --

> http://www.stopelephantpolo.com

> http://www.freewebs.com/azamsiddiqui

[Guest guest]

>WTI is also doing it in Assam<

, can you try get an official statement from WTI on their stand

with Elephants in captivity and Entertainment.

 

During the Kaziranga Centenary Celebrations in 2005 when the State of Assam

was planning to have elephant football, tug of war and mock fights, Ms.

Belinda Wright of WPSI, was asked to be a special invitee to the festival.

She decided to not attend the same as a mark of protest, and also wrote to

the organisers (forest deptt and state government of Assam) asking them to

halt the series of circus events planned.

We did manage as you know to halt that with support from all corners.

However it may be noted that senior WTI and WWF representatives were present

at the seminars and other conferences during the festival, but we still do

not know their take on the events.

 

It would be good to know their views with regards to 'Elephants being used

for such activities'.

 

Since WTI is involved in a lot of ground animal rescue and rehabs throughout

India and in Assam and doing a great job, and they are taken very seriously

by the state Government here as well.

Therefore it would be great if we can have them as a VOICE for the elephants

in crisis as well.

 

Maybe now that you are in the organisation, you can work on convincing them.

 

As they say charity begins at home, and you are now in the family.

 

Cheers !!

 

Azam

 

On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 3:54 PM, <

journalistandanimals wrote:

 

> The notice points out that PETA under the RTI Act has information that

> there are 117 elephants including two baby elephants in Jaipur out of which

> the ownership certificates of 41 elephants have been issued by the chief

> wildlife warden, Jaipur and for the other 62, ownership certificates have

> been issued by the respective authorities of the state.

>

> (It is possible to rehabilitate the babies if there is a good intention. It

> will mean taking them away from their biological mothers if the mothers are

> unfit for release but I do know for a fact that orphaned baby elephants can

> be released. And a free life with other wild elephants might be preferable

> than slaving with their biological mothers for the rest of their lives in

> captivity in a barren desert. Daphne Sheldrick has done it in Kenya. WTI is

> also doing it in Assam. I however am at a loss to understand why these

> performing elephants are still being allowed to breed, they do not belong

> to Rajasthan in the first place. The population should be immediately

> frozen. I hope this is an integral part of the court case that is taking

> place.)

>

> On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 1:53 PM, azam24x7 <azam24x7 wrote:

>

> > http://www.thehindu.com/2009/03/04/stories/2009030453130300.htm

> > PETA notice to govt on elephant festival4 Mar 2009, 0334 hrs IST, TNN

> >

> >

> > JAIPUR: The fate of the famous annual elephant festival of Jaipur,

> > scheduled

> > to be held on the eve of Holi on March 10 this year, now hangs in

> balance.

> >

> > A legal notice has been issued by an advocate of the Delhi High Court,

> Raj

> > Panjwani, on behalf of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), to

> > the secretary of the tourism department, principal chief conservator for

> > forest and the chief wildlife warden of Rajasthan, questioning the

> > performance by the pachyderms.

> >

> > The notice talks of a promotional release posted on the website of

> > Rajasthan

> > Tourism which mentions events like elephant races, elephant polo matches

> > and

> > tug of war between elephants and men that will be held during the

> festival.

> >

> > The notice cites the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1962 and the Performing

> > Animals (Registration) Rules and ponders on the state hosting such a

> > festival when it is under obligation to implement and enforce the laws.

> >

> > It has also been requested that appropriate directions may be issued to

> the

> > concerned authorities to prevent any breach of the Performing Animals

> > (Registration) Rules, 2001.

> >

> > According to the notice issued by Panjwani, “Elephant is a critically

> > endangered species and is listed at entry No. 12-B of Part-I of

> Schedule-I

> > of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, possession of which is

> prohibited.

> > Only a person who has been granted an ownership certificate under Section

> > 42

> > of the said act by the chief wildlife warden can possess an elephant.’’

> >

> > He also points to a writ petition (PIL) No. 8987 of 2006 pending before

> the

> > high court of Rajasthan at Jaipur, wherein the issue of welfare and

> > ownership of elephants in Jaipur, particularly those stationed at Amber

> > Fort

> > is being looked into.

> >

> > The notice points out that PETA under the RTI Act has information that

> > there

> > are 117 elephants including two baby elephants in Jaipur out of which the

> > ownership certificates of 41 elephants have been issued by the chief

> > wildlife warden, Jaipur and for the other 62, ownership certificates have

> > been issued by the respective authorities of the state.

> >

> > However, no ownership of the 62 elephants have been proved as against

> > Section 57 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act that clearly mandates proving

> > lawful possession of an scheduled animal. The notice further points out

> > that

> > even if ownership is proved for the 62 elephants it will be for the

> purpose

> > of carrying logs and therefore they cannot be used for public performance

> > as

> > per the Performing Animals (Regulation) Rules.

> >

> > The elephant festival is an inimitable event held annually in Jaipur at

> the

> > Chaugan Stadium. Groomed flawlessly, rows of elephants do a catwalk

> before

> > an enthralled audience to make this festival an event to remember.

> > --

> > http://www.stopelephantpolo.com

> > http://www.freewebs.com/azamsiddiqui

[Guest guest]

Dear Shubho,

 

As per my knowledge, the elephant in captivity cannot breed. Mating of

male-female on roadside forcefully results into serious injuries among

elephant-elephant or elephant-mahout. The temperature condition &

climate is not at all suitable as far as breeding concern.

 

These ownership certificates mostly old & some time owners or mahut

replace one elephant with other elephant on same certificate. I don't

have proof but while doing survey of captive elephants in Maharashtra in

2006, I heard this from a Mahout. Also these elephants are smuggled from

other states.

 

To find out correct data about elephants, they needs to be micro

chipped.

 

Regards,

Nilesh

PAWS

 

 

[journalistandanimals]

Wednesday, March 04, 2009 3:55 PM

AAPN List

Re: (IN): PETA notice to govt on elephant festival

 

The notice points out that PETA under the RTI Act has information that

there are 117 elephants including two baby elephants in Jaipur out of

which the ownership certificates of 41 elephants have been issued by the

chief wildlife warden, Jaipur and for the other 62, ownership

certificates have been issued by the respective authorities of the

state.

 

(It is possible to rehabilitate the babies if there is a good intention.

It will mean taking them away from their biological mothers if the

mothers are unfit for release but I do know for a fact that orphaned

baby elephants can be released. And a free life with other wild

elephants might be preferable than slaving with their biological mothers

for the rest of their lives in captivity in a barren desert. Daphne

Sheldrick has done it in Kenya. WTI is

also doing it in Assam. I however am at a loss to understand why these

performing elephants are still being allowed to breed, they do not

belong to Rajasthan in the first place. The population should be

immediately frozen. I hope this is an integral part of the court case

that is taking place.)

 

On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 1:53 PM, azam24x7 <azam24x7 wrote:

 

> http://www.thehindu.com/2009/03/04/stories/2009030453130300.htm

> PETA notice to govt on elephant festival4 Mar 2009, 0334 hrs IST, TNN

>

>

> JAIPUR: The fate of the famous annual elephant festival of Jaipur,

> scheduled

> to be held on the eve of Holi on March 10 this year, now hangs in

balance.

>

> A legal notice has been issued by an advocate of the Delhi High Court,

Raj

> Panjwani, on behalf of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA),

to

> the secretary of the tourism department, principal chief conservator

for

> forest and the chief wildlife warden of Rajasthan, questioning the

> performance by the pachyderms.

>

> The notice talks of a promotional release posted on the website of

> Rajasthan

> Tourism which mentions events like elephant races, elephant polo

matches

> and

> tug of war between elephants and men that will be held during the

festival.

>

> The notice cites the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1962 and the

Performing

> Animals (Registration) Rules and ponders on the state hosting such a

> festival when it is under obligation to implement and enforce the

laws.

>

> It has also been requested that appropriate directions may be issued

to the

> concerned authorities to prevent any breach of the Performing Animals

> (Registration) Rules, 2001.

>

> According to the notice issued by Panjwani, " Elephant is a critically

> endangered species and is listed at entry No. 12-B of Part-I of

Schedule-I

> of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, possession of which is

prohibited.

> Only a person who has been granted an ownership certificate under

Section

> 42

> of the said act by the chief wildlife warden can possess an

elephant.''

>

> He also points to a writ petition (PIL) No. 8987 of 2006 pending

before the

> high court of Rajasthan at Jaipur, wherein the issue of welfare and

> ownership of elephants in Jaipur, particularly those stationed at

Amber

> Fort

> is being looked into.

>

> The notice points out that PETA under the RTI Act has information that

> there

> are 117 elephants including two baby elephants in Jaipur out of which

the

> ownership certificates of 41 elephants have been issued by the chief

> wildlife warden, Jaipur and for the other 62, ownership certificates

have

> been issued by the respective authorities of the state.

>

> However, no ownership of the 62 elephants have been proved as against

> Section 57 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act that clearly mandates

proving

> lawful possession of an scheduled animal. The notice further points

out

> that

> even if ownership is proved for the 62 elephants it will be for the

purpose

> of carrying logs and therefore they cannot be used for public

performance

> as

> per the Performing Animals (Regulation) Rules.

>

> The elephant festival is an inimitable event held annually in Jaipur

at the

> Chaugan Stadium. Groomed flawlessly, rows of elephants do a catwalk

before

> an enthralled audience to make this festival an event to remember.

> --

> http://www.stopelephantpolo.com

> http://www.freewebs.com/azamsiddiqui

[Guest guest]

*Microchipping is mandatory now as per the guidelines of the CZA......

*

On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 5:04 PM, NileshBhanage <NileshBhanagewrote:

 

> Dear Shubho,

>

> As per my knowledge, the elephant in captivity cannot breed. Mating of

> male-female on roadside forcefully results into serious injuries among

> elephant-elephant or elephant-mahout. The temperature condition &

> climate is not at all suitable as far as breeding concern.

>

> These ownership certificates mostly old & some time owners or mahut

> replace one elephant with other elephant on same certificate. I don't

> have proof but while doing survey of captive elephants in Maharashtra in

> 2006, I heard this from a Mahout. Also these elephants are smuggled from

> other states.

>

> To find out correct data about elephants, they needs to be micro

> chipped.

>

> Regards,

> Nilesh

> PAWS

[Guest guest]

Hi Azam and Nilesh,

Thank you for raising the interesting points.

To be honest I do not know if WTI has any official stand on elephants in

captivity and in entertainment but I can certainly ask some of the senior

directors. It may take some time however becuase some of them are constantly

on the wheel.

 

Please however note the following :

 

1) During the Jaipur elephant polo campaign, I personally approached Mr

Ashok Kumar, Vice Chairman of WTI for his opinion. He opposed the spectacle.

He has been in close touch with Mr Naresh Kadyan who is opposing elephant

entertainment legally.

 

2) You will certainly remember that Mr Vivek Menon, Executive Director of

WTI was asked for his opinion on the Jaipur Elephants during the Question

Answer session following his presentation on elephants at the Asia for

Animals conference in 2007. I also asked him for his opinion on culling and

he said he was against it. Regarding the question on the Jaipur Elephants, I

do remember him saying that 'those elephants should be moved out of Jaipur'

implying and supporting my oft stated stance that elephants do not belong to

Rajasthan in the first place.

 

3) Regarding the Kaziranga celebrations in 2005, I have to admit that my

opposition was not as hands-on as the one in Jaipur so I would need to check

the facts carefully before taking this up officially with WTI. I however did

oppose it since circus tricks were involved but they were cancelled.

 

4) Nilesh is correct in asserting that elephants do not breed easily in

captivity, the roadside ones that do damage themselves and their keepers.

There was a baby in Jaipur two years ago named Muskaan. Muskaan means

'smile', does it not? I do not think that baby is going to ever smile in

Rajasthan, she should be one of the primary candidates for relocation.

 

5)Smuggling of elephants in Jaipur. There appears to be evidence on this and

it has also received media attention. Yes of course, micro chipping is an

option. Does anybody know if the Jaipur elephants are microchipped?

 

But I repeat the immediate call of the day is to freeze the population of

elephants in Jaipur, if there are 105, there should not be 106. There is no

need to glorify Muskaan in the precincts of Amer Fort where his/her parents

are slaving day in and day out. Elephants do not belong in Rajasthan, they

belong to Bandipur, Kaziranga, Manas, Jaldapara, Tsavo and Manyara.

 

Left to their own devices, they do no harm to humans. They wish us none and

it is about time we learnt to just leave them alone.

 

Cheers,

 

 

 

 

On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 4:47 PM, azam24x7 <azam24x7 wrote:

 

> >WTI is also doing it in Assam<

> , can you try get an official statement from WTI on their stand

> with Elephants in captivity and Entertainment.

>

> During the Kaziranga Centenary Celebrations in 2005 when the State of Assam

> was planning to have elephant football, tug of war and mock fights, Ms.

> Belinda Wright of WPSI, was asked to be a special invitee to the festival.

> She decided to not attend the same as a mark of protest, and also wrote to

> the organisers (forest deptt and state government of Assam) asking them to

> halt the series of circus events planned.

> We did manage as you know to halt that with support from all corners.

> However it may be noted that senior WTI and WWF representatives were

> present at the seminars and other conferences during the festival, but we

> still do not know their take on the events.

>

> It would be good to know their views with regards to 'Elephants being used

> for such activities'.

>

> Since WTI is involved in a lot of ground animal rescue and rehabs

> throughout India and in Assam and doing a great job, and they are taken very

> seriously by the state Government here as well.

> Therefore it would be great if we can have them as a VOICE for the

> elephants in crisis as well.

>

> Maybe now that you are in the organisation, you can work on convincing

> them.

>

> As they say charity begins at home, and you are now in the family.

>

> Cheers !!

>

> Azam

>

 

Dear Shubho,

As per my knowledge, the elephant in captivity cannot breed. Mating of

male-female on roadside forcefully results into serious injuries among

elephant-elephant or elephant-mahout. The temperature condition & climate is

not at all suitable as far as breeding concern.

These ownership certificates mostly old & some time owners or mahut replace

one elephant with other elephant on same certificate. I don't have proof but

while doing survey of captive elephants in Maharashtra in 2006, I heard this

from a Mahout. Also these elephants are smuggled from other states.

To find out correct data about elephants, they needs to be micro chipped.

Regards,

Nilesh

PAWS

 

>

>

> On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 3:54 PM, <

> journalistandanimals wrote:

>

>> The notice points out that PETA under the RTI Act has information that

>> there are 117 elephants including two baby elephants in Jaipur out of which

>> the ownership certificates of 41 elephants have been issued by the chief

>> wildlife warden, Jaipur and for the other 62, ownership certificates have

>> been issued by the respective authorities of the state.

>>

>> (It is possible to rehabilitate the babies if there is a good intention.

>> It will mean taking them away from their biological mothers if the mothers

>> are unfit for release but I do know for a fact that orphaned baby elephants

>> can be released. And a free life with other wild elephants might be

>> preferable than slaving with their biological mothers for the rest of their

>> lives in captivity in a barren desert. Daphne Sheldrick has done it in

>> Kenya. WTI is

>> also doing it in Assam. I however am at a loss to understand why these

>> performing elephants are still being allowed to breed, they do not belong

>> to Rajasthan in the first place. The population should be immediately

>> frozen. I hope this is an integral part of the court case that is taking

>> place.)

[Guest guest]

It may be mandatory but is it being implemented in Rajasthan?

 

On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 6:01 PM, Naresh Kadyan <kadyan.ipfa wrote:

 

> *Microchipping is mandatory now as per the guidelines of the CZA......

[Guest guest]

Who can find out this in jaipur?

 

 

[journalistandanimals]

Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:43 AM

aapn

Re: (IN): PETA notice to govt on elephant festival

 

It may be mandatory but is it being implemented in Rajasthan?

 

On Wed, Mar 4, 2009 at 6:01 PM, Naresh Kadyan <kadyan.ipfa

<kadyan.ipfa%40gmail.com> > wrote:

 

> *Microchipping is mandatory now as per the guidelines of the CZA......