GUWAHATI: PETA India, a popular animal rights organisation, has questioned Assam Forest Department’s decision to transport four elephants from Assam to Ahmedabad to take part in the Rath yatra at Jagannath temple.
Manilal Valliyate, CEO and Veterinarian of PETA India said that transporting the elephants is an apparent violation of the Supreme Court’s directive which states in an order on May 4, 2016 that persons who are in possession of elephants shall not transfer the animals out of state or part with them by way of transfer.
“Abused elephants would never bless, only curse their abusers,” the CEO added.
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Valliyate further stated that experts have also warned of the dangers of transporting the elephants for such a long distance, forcing them to work in the heat and also of the risk of these animals ending up in illegal wildlife trade.
He also explained that PETA recommends the use of mechanical elephants or other humane approaches instead of real elephants in processions or events because captive elephants are kidnapped from their families, trained and controlled through inhumane methods such as beatings and are also kept chained.
