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In a first, owner arrested after jumbo’s death
Setting an example towards the protection of captive elephants, Tamil Nadu foresters have arrested and remanded an elephant owner following the death of his 59-year-old jumbo. The foresters, who recorded a case last week, had found that the elephant died due to lack of rest and dehydration.
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The foresters had also warned the mahouts and temple authorities in Tiruchy and Thanjavur that their elephants would be seized if found begging.
“The deceased elephant Gulabi was not keeping well. It was transported all the way from Pollachi toKaraikudi and then to Thanjavur,” D Sujatha, Tiruchy district forest officer told DT Next. Preliminary investigation revealed that the elephant died due to severe dehydration and fatigue following the long journey. The owner of the elephant, N Baskar, was arrested for gross negligence in maintaining the elephant leading to its death. A fine of Rs 25,000 was also imposed under the Wildlife Protection Act, Sujatha said.
According to foresters, Baskar has been charged with violating provisions of Tamil Nadu Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2011, and was denied bail. He has been remanded in custody and lodged at the Tiruchy Central Prison for 15 days.
“Elephants require dedicated medical attention after the age of 50. Stern action should be recommended in this case,” said conservation biologist A Kumaraguru, who is the board member of Tiruchy district captive elephant welfare committee.
There are large scale violations related to the captive elephants by owners, including some who are repeat offenders. The most common crime by the jumbo owners is the misuse of transit permit. In the case of deceased Gulabhi, there are also transit violations dating back to 2011 in Vellore. The general public should stop hiring pachyderms for marriages and inaugural functions, as this practice would promote the concept of owning elephants for commercial purpose, Kumaraguru emphasised.
Basic rules to own pachyderms
- A person should have a certified ownership form in the name of elephant
- To transport the elephant the owner should have transit B that is issued for transportation of wildlife
- An annual medical record is mandatory and fitness certificate is must ahead of transit
- The elephant should be microchipped by the Forest Department to trace its biological and age related DNA parameters
- The animal should be subjected to supervision by a district elephant welfare committee
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