Elephants on rage, who is to be blamed?

New Delhi: Every year, angry elephants trained to take part in temple festivals in Kerala turn on their trainers, injuring, killing people and damaging property. However, elephant lovers say it's the government that is really to be blamed.

An elephant turned violent at the famous Kootalmanikyam temple at Irinjalakkuda in Thrissur District on Wednesday and killed three people, the police said.

While the animal trampled the woman, the men were chased down and impaled on one of its tusks, temple sources said.

“The state government had earlier issued 31-point directions to save the life of people gathering in festival grounds. It also contains directions to save lives of the endangered species of elephants,” says Secretary, Elephant Lovers Society, Kerala, VK Venkitachalam.

Meanwhile, many elephants are made to walk dozens of kilometers between temples during temple festivals in Kerala. Elephant owners and trainers are warned every year to care for their animals. However, many elephants still have to endure unhealthy living conditions and improper feeding. Some experts say that the solution could lie in using fewer elephants.

“Number of elephants participating in festivals is very large, some about fifty to sixty. So that has to be reduced. All elephants have to be given a fitness certificate by a veterinary surgeon,” says Expert, Elephant treatment, KC Panickar.

Last year, the Kerala government mandated the setting up of a committee in every district comprising forest officials, government representatives and activists to ensure that Captive Elephant Management Rules were followed. However, no such committee has yet been set up in any district yet.

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