Elephant dies during treatment
| Date :16-Jun-2019 |
The Hitavada State Bureau
SARANGARH/RAIPUR:
Conservationist Nitin Singhvi requested PCCF Rakesh Chaturvedi to take cognizance of the matter and register a case under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
A Captive elephant undertaken for treatment by Forest Department six days ago succumbed to internal and external wounds caused due to exploitation by the mahouts on Saturday. Having both kidneys failed and eyes impaired, the death came as a blessing in disguise to put the gentle giant out of misery inflicted by his owners. On June 9, an elephant was brought to Chhattisgarh from Uttar Pradesh (UP) for shows in marriages and other religious/social functions suddenly fell on the road as he couldn’t walk anymore due to the intense pain caused by a wound in his right hind-limb.
The wound was at least a month old and left untreated while the mahout and owner Tarkeshwar Sinha mercilessly coerced the animal walk miles and miles on scalding roads. As the attempts for getting the elephant back on feet was in vain, Forest Department arranged a crane to carry him for treatment. As the elephant was administered treatment for external wounds, little did the veterinarian realise that both the kidneys of elephants had completely failed until they monitored his urinal cycle. The elephant first passed urine nearly 72 hours after undertaken for treatment and next after 60 hours, which means only twice during the six days of treatment. It was a clear symptom of kidney failure.
Sources told The Hitavada that mahout had took contract to put the elephant on display at three marriage functions, so he was putting pressure on the Forest Department for releasing the animal, but officials repudiated his demand. Tarkeshwar Sinha also reported to have three more elephants in captivity in Prayagraj, UP. The local conservationist and Chhattisgarh Forest Department have contacted the UP Chief Wildlife Warden to check on those elephants.
Conservationist Nitin Singhvi requested PCCF Rakesh Chaturvedi to take cognizance of the matter and register a case under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change MoEF&CC had issued guidelines for care and management of captive elephant. The guidelines mandate advance permission of PCCF before bringing in captive elephants in State. Singhvi requested Forest Department invoke Section 48A and 51 of Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Section 48A sets terms and conditions for the transportation of wild animals whereas Section 51 defines the punishment