Date:27/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072750640200.htm

Kerala

Campaign gets a fillip

The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), India has managed to get the Chief Conservator of Forests, Thane to issue an order banning the entry of elephants in Mumbai city, without proper ownership certificates or obeying the conditions stipulated by the Forest Department.

PETA has in its campaign been pointing out the cruelties and perils to which elephants are subjected to in cities. Elephants are sensitive, intelligent, social animals, which should not be subjected to the stress of heavy traffic, blaring horns, or made to walk on scorching hot roads.

In cities, they are used for temple festivals and are kept in heavy chains for long hours, which often lead to festering wounds. PETA pointed out innumerable instances when were fatally hit by heavy vehicles. The Mumbai ban has thus given a fillip to the campaigns of animal lovers here too.

C. Maya