After the death of 10 captive elephants in the Indian state of Kerala and mounting protests, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden issued a circular creating provisions to prevent further abuse and protect these majestic and often-exploited animals.
Kerala has a large number of captive elephants, raised by mahouts – people who live in close proximity with and “train” the elephants, often using chains and bull-hooks and starvation methods, among other abuses.
“With over 420 captive elephants, the most of any state, Kerala is ground zero for elephant torture,” the founder of Action for Elephants Maria Mossman wrote in a letter to the Prime Minister in India.
Many of the elephants are also used in religious festivals and parades between February and April. This puts them in close contact with the public and increases the risk of violent interactions as the elephants become stressed.

Picture by Rajesh Kakkanatt CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
People also ride the elephants and dress them in colorful garb. Because of the high risk for harm to humans and the elephants, two temples in India have stopped using elephants in these festivals and opted to parade with wooden statues instead.
Although the state of Kerala passed rules to protect elephants in 2012, many have voiced concern that these rules are not being enforced.
Instead of protection, captive elephants in Kerala often face horrendous conditions.
“In Kerala alone, 57 elephants have died in just 26 months, and the rate has escalated this year: as of end-March, 11 elephants have died. The cause of death of many of these elephants was found to be blocked intestines, caused by the unsuitable diet they are fed, and they would have been in extreme pain for weeks or months before they died,” according to Mossman, calling on the government to initiate enquiries into the deaths and punish those at fault.
This led members of Action for Elephants to lead a protest in front of the Indian High Commission in London in April. This immediately rose concerns about the state’s image and the protest’s impact on tourism.
.@HCI_London https://t.co/FUwquuOP6H
We know India loves its elephants, none of us should allow their abuse or suffering. #BeKindToElephants #BreakTheChains pic.twitter.com/rLOUOvVbwk— ActionForElephantsUK (@Action4ElliesUK) April 20, 2018
The recent circular comes in response to the international criticism and Action for Elephant’s efforts to shine a light on the issue.
Going forward, the circular lays out the following provisions:
- Each district will identify elephants who are at risk of being overworked.
- Male elephants experience high levels of testosterone during certain periods (musth), which can increase aggressive behavior. The musth periods will be tracked so elephants aren’t used during those time.
- Elephant owners who violate elephant regulations will receive written instructions.
- A meeting will be held after the festival season to evaluate the rules regarding elephants and their implementation.
- Another meeting will be held before the following festival season to review violations and take measures to prevent harm to elephants during the festivals.
- Elephants used in the festivals must be registered and follow a four-step process to make sure the elephant is fit before transporting it. The state reaffirms they will reinforce this.
- When an offense does occur, it will be charged within 30 to 45 days.
- The implementation of the guidelines will be reviewed quarterly.
Although this is an excellent step forward, the cruelty can never truly end until elephants are no longer held captive and exploited by humans.
As Mossman puts it, “While we urge you to consider immediate measures to enforce the laws and stop the cruel abuse of these elephants, the end goal is to see the use of elephants in temples phased out altogether. In this day and age, when we have gained so much knowledge about the intelligence, emotional capacity, and social bonds of these majestic creatures, and when we know how endangered they are, we believe that all countries have a duty to protect them, treat them humanely, and give them sanctuary.”
BOYCOTT ALL THE FUCKERS ASIANS !!!
Libertação animal ainda q tardia.
Animals have Thier own lives to live !!!!!!
ALL OF THE ELEPHANTS SHOULD BE RELEASED TO A SANCTUARY, AND THE OWNERS TAUGHT BETTER TRADES!!. STOP USING THESE BEAUTIFUL INTELLIGENT ANIMALS AS IF THEY ARE SLAVES!!. THEY ARE NOT ORNAMENTS!!, AND TAKE THOSE ORNAMENTALS OFF OF THEM, AND THEN LET THE OWNERS WEAR THEM INSTEAD!!
Animals should be living a life protected from any sort of cruelty.
These elephants should be given their freedom .
And you really want to take a vacation to India?
What a disgrace,these cruelities are done by the Hindus.Where is your teachings for being kind the living?You are so proud to be vegetarians do not eat anything living,but will torture a living soul.Bunch hpyocrities.India please change your attitudes,help these poor majestic souls yes souls they have souls.Remember Karma,who ever you are it will catch up.
Animal cruelty must end. Perpetrators of theses evil crimes must be punished
Delegate harm is not a psche one needs in society
they need to be set free and be with other elephants, this needs to STOP NOW.
The long-term goal is to eliminate keeping elephants in captivity. They are not “domestic” animals. However, the greatest care must be taken to ensure that the elephants continued safe existence is guaranteed. With the strict enforcement of laws, some unscrupulous owners might simply release their elephants, sending the animals to a certain and even earlier death. Early compulsory registration and struct monitoring is therefore imperative although having some knowledge of how laws are frequently circumvented in India, I fear for the elephants. This is not a simple quick-fix scenario. Many captive elephants, probably all, would be unable to look after themselves in the wild.
Let these elephants go free or bring them to large place where they can roam free. End the cruelty towards elephants. Save them
I India they worship animals, especially elephants, need I say more.
What can you do?? You r not even in South to know the extent of this cruelty. We Indians torture animals in the name of worship. If we are worshipping Lord Ganesha as our Lord, why do we use them in temples and not to mention abuse them in every step. Elephants need to live in herd with their kind or they fall in to frustration and depression. Elephants are not just majestic but they r very family oriented. Taking them out of their families is the biggest mistake these cruel Kerala people do. I made many attempts calling them and stopping them with help of others but of no good result. Kerala government has lost track of keeping animals under control. Over time they have tortured dogs to death instead of following measures to control their population and to mention elephants have been abused for many centuries. This will take longest time for them to consider to stop.
Awesome share bina & keeping it real. Aside from worship indians abuse and poach tiger/Ganesh to get money. Humankind repeatedly offend, dicsconcerned and break the spirits of animals everywhere
Elephants are not property and deserve sanctuary
Pls support wildlife s.o.s Indian elephants. They need be respected and not slaves
Why are these people so cruel to these intelligent majestic animals. It must be outlawed and those responsible should be brought to justice
Elephants should be in nature , being elephants. Please replace them with statues. Know that your kindness is appreciated around the world.
If you completely understand the elephant as an intelligent, social, gentle animal then please begin the process of eliminating them altogether from festivals and as a form of human entertainment. These provisions are a start but I believe will be highly difficult to monitor.
Tak je to těžké uzákonit nebo konečně opravdu těm chudákům slonům odtud pomoct? Podívejte se za sebe na ty mrtvé, co měli ze života, jen bolest a utrpení a řetězy, jste v této zemi opravdu ubozí a neskutečně hloupí a krutí, zakažte všechny maškarády se slony a žádné řetězy a těžké práce slonů, jim patří volnost tak jako to chce i člověk.
Elephants or any animal belong to no one every country and every person has
a responsibility to protect them This is good news but i wonder if the laws really will protect these majestic
animals Using them in festivals is not acceptable This needs to end as well
It sounds like someone is trying in India which is better than before.
Please make this use of elephants illegal because if you don’t, these people will never ever stop using them…..these precious animals needs to be placed in a nice sanctuary where they can roam & be free….to have herds and families….elephants are smart & long to be with their herds, they are social animals…..please make it stop.
Please help these poor animals.
No animal should go through ANY abuse just to perform for the almighty dollar.. Wake up people..
ENOUGH ALREADY!
ELEPHANTS ARE BEINGS AND ANY BEING SUCH AS ELEPHANTS AND ALL ANIMALS DESERVE TO BE TREATED RIGHT, THEY DESERVE RESPECT,LOVE,PROTECTION, SAFETY AND CARE.
TREATED THE RIGHT WAY AND NOT,NOT USED AND ABUSED!!
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF YOU HAD NO SAY,NO VOICE TO HELP AND PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY??
THESE PEOPLE ARE USING AND ABUSING THESE SWEET ELEPHANTS FOR THEIR PERSONAL GAIN AND NEED TO BE STOPPED! THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT THE ELEPHANTS!
Stop the exploitation altogether. Elephants belong to the wild! If the Indian Commission Council or the government of India are concerned about there image and tourism; start being concerned about the elephants. Stop making rules and circulars which you people don’t follow anyway. Give elephants their freedom back! NOW!!
Il faut punir sévèrement ceux qui maltraitent les éléphants, car il me semble qu’on laisse mourir et maltraiter ces doux géants sans intervenir. Il faut que ça cesse car il y a des éléphants captifs non répertoriés donc il y a abus de pouvoir et ils sont hors la loi. Tout le monde le sait et tout le monde s’en fout Je ne risque pas d’aller dans ce pays de brutes tant que les éléphants subiront des mauvais traitements
Why is something more permanently done to stop these elephants from being captured and owned to begin with ?
This has been going on too long and needs to stop! More pressure should be put forth to their government . So many elephants dyeing? What are you waiting for ????someone must step in and keep stepping in. Put on the pressure until something is done!!!!!!
Elephants are the most magnificent, intelligent and sensitive creatures. They should be allowed to live natural lives and should be protected. Elephants are India’s treasure and should be appreciated as such.
ELEPHANTS SHOULD NOT BE BEATEN TO PERFORM THEY ARE NOT ENTERTAINERS THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL CLEVER WILD ANIMALS NOT TO BE CAGED UP TORMENTED BEATEN FOR YOUR WELFARES STOP THIS ITS DISGUSTING
Respect animals as being human beings
Respect elephants that must be FREE!!
How can anyone be calm and family friendly when we watch the most heinous crimes agai st animals that some scum do…..I cannot think any more about being calm and nice…when these POOR animals are so so maltreated by scum that think they are so marvellous and yet they are disgustingly abusive…..
Stop the exploitation altogether. Elephants belong to the wild! If the Indian Commission Council or the government of India are concerned about there image and tourism; start being concerned about the elephants. Stop making rules and circulars which you people don’t follow anyway. Give elephants their freedom back! NOW!!
This has gone o for too long. Should end straigjt away. If they cant feed the elephants the correct diet then remive the them from the horror.
Please leave the elefants and send them to a sanctury.
These evil violence have to Stop för ever.
Animals belong to the wild ans not in cruelty prison
Libérez tous les éléphants captifs, tous les ours captifs, tous les singes captifs. La cruauté envers les animaux est INSUPORTABLE parce qu’elle est lâche et facile
No elephant deserves to be abused, tortured..they are not here for our entertainment..they belong in the wild with their own kind..or if that cannot be..then sanctuaries…please protect them
Thanku to the officials and those two temples in Kerala.
THE HORROR these majestic animals are exposed to must be STOPPED now and forever — thank you to those who are doing everything to assist in this great cause for our Elephants.
The elephants do all the work not their human owners. Give them more,their freedom?
Thank you .
I tell myself that this has been going on for centuries in India, we are more enlightened now and caring, so we must pass this on via education. The Elephants need us to do this.
Such abuse they do to elephants.to get them to mind and do things.with nothing but abuse
Indians seem to care only for the animal they consider most sacred which is the cow but even here most of the cows die miserable deaths in cow shelters called ‘goushalas;. Indians on the whole, despite being very ‘religious’, hold little love and respect for animals. In Jaipur, a city in the BJP ruled state of Rajasthan uses elephants, most of which are under fed or ailing to carry foreign tourists up the steep slopes to visit an ancient fort not once but several times a day in soaring desert temperatures. Yet, the Rajasthan state government spends hundreds of thousands of rupees protecting the cows (albeit unsuccessfully) while they pay little heed to these poor elephants who are treated with extreme cruelty. The Rajasthan government looks the other way as the torture continues for political gain. This is the truth about animals being treated in Hindu India.
THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO MISTREAT ELEPHANTS!!!!WHY SHOULD YOU DO THAT???WHY???WHY????