Representational Image.
Thiruvananthapuram: PETA India has stepped in with a unique offer following a series of deadly elephant attacks in Kerala, which have left five people dead, several others injured, and property damaged during temple and mosque festivals over the last ten days. The animal rights organisation is offering to donate lifelike mechanical elephants to the affected temples and mosques, with a condition: these institutions must agree to send their real elephants to sanctuaries where they can live freely, without chains or weapons, among other elephants, and pledge never to use real elephants again.
PETA India has sent letters to the institutions, highlighting the severe physical and psychological distress real elephants endure during festivals and processions due to loud music, traffic, firecrackers, and general chaos. The animals are often controlled through painful and restrictive methods, such as chains and beatings, exacerbating their stress.
βUsing safer alternatives such as palanquins, chariots, or mechanical elephants eliminates the need to use distressed, dangerous, and unpredictable live elephants for processions, rituals, and events,β said Khushboo Gupta, PETA Indiaβs Director of Advocacy Projects.
The call for change comes after a series of violent incidents involving elephants at festivals in Kerala. Since February 4, several elephants have become violent, leading to tragic incidents. One elephant in Thrissur killed a man, while another trampled its mahout to death in Palakkad, destroying shops and vehicles in the process. Other elephants have charged through crowds, created panic, and even fallen into wells during festivals. In one case, two elephants spooked by firecrackers fought, causing a stampede that resulted in three deaths and multiple injuries.
In response, PETA India began a movement in early 2023, advocating for the replacement of live elephants with mechanical ones at events. So far, 13 mechanical elephants are now used in temples across South India, with eight of them donated to temples in Kerala and Karnataka as a reward for their decision to stop using live elephants.
These mechanical elephants, which stand three meters tall and weigh 800 kilograms, are designed to look and feel like real elephants. Made from rubber, fiber, metal, mesh, foam, and steel, they operate with five motors and can move their head, ears, eyes, tail, and trunk. They even spray water, providing a realistic experience for festival-goers. The mechanical elephants are mounted on a wheelbase for easy movement through streets and can be powered by electricity.
PETA Indiaβs initiative allows temples to carry out ceremonies in a safe and cruelty-free manner, while real elephants remain in their natural habitats, free from exploitation.
With PTI inputs