The Hindu Business Line : `Force'ful care for the tusker

Cruelty to domesticated pachyderms, of late (perhaps ever since it has come to light), has forced the Central Animal Welfare Officer to take custody of `Lakshmanan' in Mattancherry under the provisions of Section 34 of the Prevention of Cruelty towards animals. He had burns on his forehead and mouth besides knife cuts in his body. Now the pachyderm is under treatment.

On the other hand, some of the elephants in captivity are rebelling. Over the past three months, they have killed five mahouts; two elephants have also lost their lives during this period.

The reason behind their behaviour seems to be overburdening the tuskers with work without giving enough fodder, water, bath and rest, impervious attitude of the mahouts towards their bread providers' welfare, apart from inflicting physical and mental injury on them. Added to this is the inebriated condition of the alcoholic mahouts. The recent killings of the mahouts by the elephants, according to experts, are resultant from these kind of cruel activities.

Given this serious situation, the State Government is in the process of passing a law to protect the elephants from the torture and provide care to the domesticated ones. Besides, the Kerala Elephants Owners' Association had also come out with around 17 measures to be observed by the mahouts, owners etc. The three major owners of elephants in Kerala are the Devaswom Boards of Travancore, Cochin and Guruvayur administered by the Government.

According to official sources, a mahout receives a salary of around Rs 6,000 per month apart from other benefits including free family accommodation or a nominal rent. "Unfortunately majority of them are alcoholics," they alleged.

But, certain alcoholic mahouts who love their elephant share the liquor with the animal to keep him also happy while those who do not are disliked by the pachyderm!

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