Plight of the elephants in Kerala

We read a lot about mahouts being killed by the elephants and find everyone pointing fingers at the elephants. But what we do not realise is why the elephant has to be so violent in the first place?The elephants are poorly managed and painfully exploited. When cruelty towards them becomes unbearable, the elephants retaliate .I started to think of these issues when I saw a TV program called Kannadi on Asianet (malayalam satellite channel) . I was almost in tears when I saw the sad condition of an elephant (I can't recall his name though). His feet was bleeding and was lying down helplessly, unable to walk. Well that elephant died and thats why this issue got attention on the show.
There are many things to be taken care of when dealing with elephants. There are rules and guidelines to adhere to. If they are strictly observed it might be a win win situation for the mahouts as well as for the elephants.
Here are some information I gathered from various sources:

• Alarmed by the frequent instances of elephants running amok and goring mahouts to death, the Kerala government came out with a set of rules on management and upkeep of captive elephants which include penal provisions to check maltreatment of the animal.

• The rules specify norms to be followed when elephants are paraded during festivals, transported by foot or by vehicles, medical check-up and provision of water,fodder and accommodation and training of mahouts. It also lay down how to handle them at times of 'masth' during when pachyderms mostly turn violent.

• The rules would prohibit elephants being made to walk more than three hours or 30 km at a stretch.Those taking them for long treks would have to carry reflectors during night in the front and rear of the animal for road safety.

• The rules specify the type of harness to be put on the animal and chains with sharp edges or nylon ropes would not be permitted. Tuskers with festering ankle sores caused by iron chains is a common sight on Kerala roads.

• Animal rights activists allege that elephants are made to walk long distances on tarred roads and stand unendingly on concrete surfaces, in violation of Section 12 of a Government Order (No. 12/2003/F&WLD). Result: most of the elephants reportedly have pockets of infection under their feet or toenails. Feet are the gauge of an elephant's overall health.

• Animal rights groups also allege unethical treatment of elephants when they are in musth. When a male elephant is in musth, its level of testosterone rises dramatically by a factor of 20 or more. Musth lasts up to 60 days. The temporal gland between the eyes and ears swell and discharge a viscous secretion as the elephant waits for mating. There is continual dribbling of urine too. The elephant shows aggressive behaviour during this period.
  Elephants in musth are allegedly made weak through torture and poor feeding.

How much of the rules and regulations laid down are adhered to or how much really the State is doing to improve the situation of elephant is the big question??

Source: www.hindu.com, www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Read more: http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/17/stories/2007021715850400.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/24/stories/2007022402610200.htm