Madhuri Elephant Vantara: Shifting Elephant Madhuri to Vantara creates havoc
Madhuri Elephant Vantara: Madhuri, a 37-year-old elephant from a Jain monastery, has been relocated from Kolhapur to the Vantara Sanctuary in Jamnagar. This move follows years of documented welfare violations and ongoing legal disputes. Vantara was not involved in initiating or requesting the transfer. The HPC decided on the Vantara relocation due to its capability and proven history in elephant care.
Complaint regarding the health of the elephant
Vantara disclosed that the animal rights group, PETA, had been observing the state of the elephant Madhuri since 2022. On October 31, 2023, the Ministry of Environment and Forests' High Powered Committee (HPC) was alerted to a complaint about the elephant's health. The complaint indicated that the elephant had endured significant physical harm and psychological distress, along with being exploited for commercial and unlawful purposes.
Case filed against mahout
It is important to note that from 2012 to 2023, the elephant was relocated from Maharashtra to Telangana on 13 occasions. On January 8, 2023, the Telangana Forest Department filed a wildlife crime case against the elephant's mahout under sections 48A and 54 of the Wildlife Act, 1972, due to the illegal use of the elephant in a procession.
Use of female elephants in public processions
In addition to the injury marks found on Madhuri the elephant, several significant revelations have emerged. It has been disclosed that the elephant was exploited for commercial purposes. It was involved in public processions such as Muharram, used for begging, and paraded at various locations. During these events, children were placed in its trunk.
Anant Ambani's Vantara
Vantara is located in Jamnagar, Gujarat and is spread over about 3 thousand acres of land. Let us tell you that endangered species of animals, injured animals and birds are taken care of in this sanctuary. More than 2 thousand species and about 1.5 lakh extinct species of animals are sheltered here.