Coimbatore: The video footage of Srivilliputhur Andal temple elephant 'Jayamalyatha' being brutally beaten up by its mahout at the Thekkampatti elephant rejuvenation camp has left public and animal activists in shock. Though the brutality meted out to the jumbo by its mahout has pushed him behind bars, the activists have putforth various demands to end such incidents.
Coimbatore: The video footage of Srivilliputhur Andal temple elephant 'Jayamalyatha' being brutally beaten up by its mahout at the Thekkampatti elephant rejuvenation camp has left public and animal activists in shock.
Though the brutality meted out to the jumbo by its mahout has pushed him behind bars, the activists have putforth various demands to end such incidents.
The incident has triggered speculations if all elephants are treated at the same way at temples and mutts.
The Incident
On Sunday afternoon, a 20 second video clip probably recorded on a smartphone was doing rounds in social media, which showed two Mahouts hitting elephant Jayamalyatha of Andal Temple, Srivilliputhur, with sticks. The elephant which was tied to a tree at the rejuvenation camp was heard trumpeting in pain, while the duo furiously attacked the animal for close to 20 seconds.
Acting upon the issue swiftly as per the directions of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE) Commissioner S. Prabhakar, the HR&CE Department officials suspended Kumar, the mahout who was appointed by them in the year 2011. While, Sivaprasad the other person seen in the video was not appointed by the board but by the temple administration to help the mahout and support during his absence. He is also reported to be a distant relative of the mahout.
Not just from Coimbatore, the video garnered the attention of wildlife conservationists and activists across the nation who have been demanding strict action and a permanent solution to end such brutality meted on captive animals.
Following this, the Forest Department officials said that Kumar, the mahout and Sivaprasad, the helper (Kavadi) were booked under sections of the Wildlife Protection Act for charges of assaulting the animal. Preliminary investigation revealed that the duo indulged in the act after allegedly the elephant disobeyed the mahout’s commands.
Beating up captive elephants, a common protocol..?
"Both the mahouts have been arrested. In general the mahouts beat the elephants if it disobeys their order. Though it seems brutal, inflicting pain by beating is probably the only way to bring the elephant under control, according to the mahouts", told an official from the forest department upon anonymity.
While the incident has sparked anger and agitation against such mishandling mahouts, activists and NGO’s have recommended that properly trained mahouts should be appointed to handle captive elephants.
Commenting on the issue, Activist Kalidas of OSAI NGO said that the elephant cannot be a captivated, as it is not a domestic animal. Pointing out at the 1972 animal act, he said elephants are captured and tamed to minimise conflicts.
Train, Tribals As Mahouts
He further added the Forest and HR&CE department should consider the option of appointing mahouts from tribal areas. Comparatively, tribals have better knowledge and passion towards wildlife and their behaviour. They will have more passion and patience in handling elephants.
"If new recruitments are made, the HR&CE board should seriously consider the option of looking out for people from tribal areas as mahout, and train them", opined activist Kalidas.
With both the mahouts of 'Jayamalyatha behind bars, the activist are worried of the well-being of her, as generally elephants deny to take food and commands from a new mahout. If pushed to obey orders from a new mahout, the elephant might be further traumatised, mentally.