Date:16/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/16/stories/2006031610160200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

An elephantine problem of custody

Sahana Charan

Magistrate orders restoration of pachyderm to its owners

The 40-year-old elephant was rescued in an emaciated state from a circus company
Veterinarian at Bannerghatta says the elephant is not fit to travel

PFA is now planning to appeal in the sessions court and the Karnataka High Court

BANGALORE: Vanashree's struggle does not seem to end.

The 40-year-old elephant that was rescued by the Forest Department and the non-governmental organisation People for Animals (PFA) in an emaciated state from a circus company some months ago, could not have asked for a worse fate.

The pachyderm, which was on the brink of death and is being taken care of at the Bannerghatta National Park Herbivore Safari for the last three months, has now been ordered by the Hoskote Judicial Magistrate to be handed over to its original owners.

Opposition

Animal lovers and welfare organisations such as the PFA and Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) have strongly come out against the decision to hand over the elephant to its owner who sold her to a small circus company from Madurai.

They cannot forget the condition in which Vanashree was when she was rescued.

"I still have the plastic cups and glass bottles which she had consumed because she was starving when she was with the circus. We cannot allow her to go back to such inhuman conditions once again," says Sharath Babu, senior manager at PFA.

At the time of her rescue, there were scars all over her body and she was suffering from multiple abscesses and bleeding. Rashes, marks of torture and pain covered her skin. Lack of food, water, rest and the company of her herd had left Vanashree almost dead. She had eaten whatever she found on the road for want of food.

According to Mr. Babu, Vanashree is still not fit enough to be taken away and to travel. "She is still weak and needs care. We even offered to buy the elephant from her owner who has refused," he said. The PFA is now planning to appeal in the sessions court and the Karnataka High Court against the magistrate court's order, so that the pachyderm will be saved from a cruel life.

The veterinarian at Bannerghatta has now given a report saying that the elephant is not fit to travel.

"If she is taken out of the national park we may even block the truck and stop the owners from taking her away," Mr. Babu said.