An elephant that went on a rampage at Kidangoor Mahavishnu Temple in Angamaly on Friday Photo Credit: ANI
A rampage by two elephants in Kerala on Friday that left two dead has again cast a spotlight on alleged widespread abuse of elephants in captivity, with animal rights activists saying the tragedies were preventable and caused by systemic failures in enforcement.
The Heritage Animal Task Force claimed that elephants are routinely subjected to extreme stress during festival seasons, including continuous transport across districts without adequate rest, food or water. “These deaths are a direct result of cruelty. The elephants are paraded without rest, denied food and water and kept under the scorching sun without shelter,” said VK Venkitachalam, secretary of the task force. “Rules governing elephant walks, issued by the forest department on March 20, 2013, are being flagrantly violated in Kerala.”
Published – 02 May 2026 21:45 IST
