The Tamil Nadu forest department on Monday informed the Madras HC that 3 elephants, originally owned by Kanchi Mutt but put under the care of private Non Governmental Organization (NGO)s, have been moved to govt-run elephant rehabilitation camp in Trichy.
The 3 elephants Sandya, Jayanthi & Indumathi owned by Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya Swamigal, Kancheepuram & under the possession of the Tree Foundation & Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) in Marakanam, have been relocated to Elephant Rehabilitation Camp in Trichy, the principal chief conservator of forests said.
However, the department faced difficulties in shifting the elephants since no trained mahout was available in the camp where they were housed. Arrangements for trained mahouts from the elephant camp in Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Pollachi, were made, the department said.
Finally, with meticulous planning on Sept 27, the department said in its submission, the elephants were transferred with the help of the trained mahouts & at no point of time they were subject to any cruelty.
The issue pertains to a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging that the Non Governmental Organization (NGO)s were collecting donations from various countries on the pretext of maintaining the animals in their private camp. The public interest litigation (PIL) requested the court to direct the authorities to take action & close such unauthorised elephant camps in the state.
The bench directed the authorities to rescue the animals from the private camp & relocate them to the elephant rehabilitation camp in Trichy in 4 weeks. The court also directed that proper medical & other care must be ensured to the elephants in the Trichy camp.
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