Nanjangud: The Forest Department authorities yesterday moved 36-year-old Gowri, the injured elephant at Sri Kanteshwaraswamy Temple in Nanjangud to the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Kolar.
Gowri, has been suffering for the past few months and the Forest Department authorities had warned the temple authorities of legal action if they failed to take care of the elephant.
Following directions from the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Shanthanu, the Forest Department personnel transported Gowri in a truck to the rehabilitation centre in Kolar. Gowri was accompanied by mahouts Pyare Jaan and Basheer Gadekar. Confirming the shifting of Gowri to Kolar, Nanjangud Temple Executive Officer H.M. Kumaraswamy said that the elephant had been suffering injuries in its mouth and legs and added that despite regular treatment by the veterinarians, the injuries did not heal. Gowri will be brought back, once she recovers completely, he said.
Dear Editor: The article on the Nanjangud Temple Elephant and the accompanying photo of the emaciated animal made me sick to the stomach. Very sad to see a wild elephant that should roam free in the forest chained at the temple for the entertainment of visitors. It is irresponsible and criminal for the so-called religious entity to be so barbaric; continuing to keep the malnourished and sick elephant without proper medical attention needs to be investigated by the authorities. why in the world does our Government allow these religious bodies to keep wild animals, and more to the point, how stupid are the devotees to keep supporting the temples and Mutts that do this?
I do hope our illustrious founder of SOM will take up this worthy cause as a fitting commemoration of the 40th anniversary of SOM.
Ram Lall