The Times of India reported on the 29th that there have been 22 killed in captive elephant attacks 123 incidents of elephants “running amok” so far this temple season.
It is impossible for me to tell if this is more or less than last year’s 42 people killed and 716 violent incidents because I have no idea how long
the temple season is.
The article reported on a recent temple festival in which 3 women killed by an elephant in a
local temple procession and another event in which an elephant charged
around uncontrolled for a full hour and a half with 3 children on its back. Who needs a rollercoaster when you can have
real life terror?
The Kerala State Forest and Wildlife Department has new
rules that are seemingly being ignored.
The guidelines stipulate diet, veterinary care, rest and work schedules as well as housing to ensure that the elephants are happy and healthy and not pissed enough to stomp on
people’s heads.
The guidelines make other excellent suggestions such as:
I have been keeping an eye on the new elephants in the shop. I know that some shelves are so full that they do not meet the official guidelines- they look a little bored, but so far-so good.
The guidelines make other excellent suggestions such as:
- Mahouts (the official elephant riders) should not be allowed to handle elephants when drunk
- burning torches should be kept away from the elephants
- any elephant that kills someone should be banned from public appearances for a full 15 days
I have been keeping an eye on the new elephants in the shop. I know that some shelves are so full that they do not meet the official guidelines- they look a little bored, but so far-so good.
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