Elephant 'Camp' Gets Mixed Reports

by Patricia Collier

For 45 days each year, working elephants in India will be sent to a "rejuvenation" camp where they will receive medical care, nutritional attention, exercise and play time.

Then they'll be returned to their "jobs" working for the government, temples, individuals and ashrams, which are similar to traditional Christian Monasteries.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has proclaimed this year's camp for elephants successful and said it will become an annual event. This year's camp was held at the Mudumalai Sanctuary and Top Slip in Coimbatore district.

Not everyone agrees with the chief minister's positive assessment, however. A lawsuit, called a public interest litigation petition in India, has been filed by G. Rajendran.

The petition seeks adherence to the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals Act of 1960, saying at least 55 temple elephants taken to the camps were subjected to "cruel treatment" while being transported back to their "jobs."

According to Rajendran, the animals sustained injuries when authorities used iron rods, logs and sharp metal prods to force them to board lorries on which they would be returned to work.

The petition also noted top soil, grass and bushes at the camp were removed, an action which violates mandatory provisions in the Forest Conservation Act of 1980. The act states the necessity of greenery in reserve forests and sanctuaries.

Jayalalithaa, meanwhile, claimed the benefits of the camp have been praised by visitors and conservation groups, who perceive it as a way of restoring the physical and mental health of elephants held in captivity.

"The camps helped in bringing about a harmonious bonding between animal and animal; among human beings, animals and the environment; apart from making possible valuable interaction among veterinary doctors, conservationists and non-governmental organizations," she said.

Another benefit of the program, Jayalalithaa said, was that it assisted those who wished to study the animals in a more natural environment.

"The detailed medical case histories that they have been able to document provide valuable information on elephant conservation and care," Jayalalithaa said.

But the health of the elephants, and the standard of care they received while at the camp, are major points of concern in Rajendran's lawsuit. He said the sudden change of climate and temperature had an adverse effect on the elephants' health, and that keeping all the elephants together in one camp could result in the spreading of diseases to forest animals.

Rajendran said many elephants were still suffering from injuries they sustained before and during transport. He is petitioning the courts to require authorities to file a report about the "real condition of the animals."

According to statistics in a 2001 census, there were about 28,274 elephants in India, of which 2,971 were in Tamil Nadu.

© 2004 Animal News Center, Inc.