Kerala High Court seeks urgent action to improve conditions of captive elephants at Punnathur Anakotta

A file photo of elephants at Punnathur Anakotta in Guruvayur.

The Kerala High Court has directed the Guruvayur Devaswom Management Committee (GDMC) to take urgent measures to ensure the welfare of the captive elephants housed at Punnathur Anakkotta under the Guruvayur Devaswom Board.

The GDMC has been directed to strictly follow the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012 in all aspects of management and submit a progress report by September 2. It should ensure that the elephants are kept in a clean, hygienic and healthy environment. Tethering areas should consist of a flat clay floor, should not be permanently wet, and tethering sites should be changed regularly.

The committee was instructed to implement the model feeding schedule issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden and ensure that the RO water treatment system installed at Punnathur Kotta is maintained in proper working order to provide uninterrupted supply of safe and adequate drinking water to all the elephants.

Observe hygiene

The GDMC must end the current practice of bathing elephants near their tethering points using water hoses to prevent permanent dampness in the tethering areas and ensure that every elephant gets a chance to bathe in running water at least once a week. Instructions were also issued to improve waste management at Anakkotta to maintain sanitary conditions in the camp.

Enrichment measures must be taken to improve the physical and psychological condition of the elephants, and the chains used to tie the elephants must have suitable cushioning material to prevent harm to the animals.

The court further directed the GDMC to modernize the veterinary facilities and appoint additional doctors as required. CCTV cameras must be installed covering all areas in Anakotta to ensure transparency in elephant management, prevent cruelty and facilitate compliance with court orders. Detailed data books should be maintained covering all aspects of camp management. The GDMC has also been asked to acquire additional land to provide adequate space for the elephants.

Camp inspection

The Chief Wildlife Warden has been instructed to inspect the camp and submit a report detailing the steps taken by the GDMC to implement the court’s directions and the recommendations of experts and statutory bodies.

Divisional Judge V Raja Vijayaraghavan and Justice KV Jayakumar issued the directive while considering a petition filed by Indo-Canadian filmmaker and wildlife biologist Sangita Iyer, who alleged “gross inadequacy” in the facilities provided to captive elephants.

The petitioner said the entire facility is 11 acres and houses 35 elephants at an average of around 35 cents per elephant. She informed the court that as per existing rules and guidelines, each elephant should have at least 1.2 acre. Ms Iyer further claimed that the elephants were not getting enough exercise and that the board was not meeting their dietary requirements.

The court noted that India’s Animal Welfare Board had sent a two-member team in 2014 to assess the conditions of captive elephants and made several recommendations to improve their welfare and management. After the petition was launched, the court appointed an Advocate Commissioner to report on the welfare of the elephants in 2023, and a special team was set up in 2024 for similar purposes.

A special team reviewed housing conditions, tethering practices, veterinary care, drinking water and bathing facilities, dietary conditions followed by the board and the overall management of Anakkotta and made several recommendations for improvement. The court issued its directions after considering all the recommendations.

Published – 27 Jul 2026 08:15 IST