Based on an online report of ill-treating Neelakandan, a temple elephant, the Kerala High Court took suo moto cognisance against the Sree Dharma Sastha temple, in Kollam. The temple comes under the administration of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). A video was captured by a PFA member that showed the pathetic condition of the animal which led to the case, reported The News Minute.

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URGENT CALL TO ACTION:-Elephant Neelakandan,A Temple elephant from Sasthamkotta temple,Kollam district,of Kerala is once again requiring urgent assistance. The Travancore Devaswom board, who own Neelakandan are once again treating Neelakandan really badly. The mahouts (elephant carer) have chained him so tightly by the front and back legs that he is unable to balance properly, whatsmore the mahouts are not cleaning his shelter and there is a massive build-up of dung. BACKGROUND to Neelankandan’s appalling state of neglect:-Last year there was a Call to Action and an on-line petition to help Neelakandan, which the Kerala Forest Dept responded to. As a result the Tavancore Devaswom Board were forced to provide medical treatment for Neelakandan, and his health improved. However, he still suffers from neurologically damaged legs, which means he is in unable to balance correctly. So for the mahouts to chain Neelankandan’s so tightly by front and back legs exacerbates Neelankandan’s imbalance. Also, would cause immense pain. HOW THE FOREST DEPT CAN HELP NEELAKANDAN:-The call to action is to request the Forest Dept to send their Forest Dept Flying Squad rangers to immediately unchain Neelakandan and to provide a comprehensive medical examination and urgent medical treatment, and for the Forest Dept to file charges of animal cruelty against the Travancore Devaswom. Also request that Neelakandan is confiscated by the Forest Dept and taken to an elephant sanctuary or relief centre where he will be kept unchained at all times, and be cared for by properly trained and caring staff. We also will request that the Forest Dept file charges of animal cruelty against the Travancore Devaswom.Please send 1 bulk email to the following email addresses:-To:- chiefminister@kerala.gov.in minister.forest@kerala.gov.in pccf.for@kerala.gov.in cww.for@kerala.gov.in presidenttdb@gmail.com CC:- animalwelfareboard@gmail.com gandhim@nic.in Re:- REQUEST URGENT MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR ELEPHANT NEELAKANDAN.Dear Sirs,It was has been brought to my attention that elephant Neelakandan is once again in need of urgent medical attention by the Forest Dept Flying Squad division.As you are aware last year Neelakandan was exposed to horrific neglect and cruelty by his owner – the Travancore Devaswom. The Forest Dept very kindly responded and Neelakandan recovered, but was left with neurological issues which affects his balance.Once again the Travancore Devaswom has subjected elephant Neelakandan to horrific cruelty, by tightly chaining his front and back legs, which exacerbates Neelakandan’s neurological imbalance. This is also causing him immense pain and unnecessary suffering. His shelter where is kept chained is in need of urgent cleaning as it is over-run by Neelakandan’s dung and urine. Please see the video evidence.This is the Third time that we have witnessed neglect and cruelty by Travancore Devaswom towards Neelakandan and therefore from that can deduce that their intention is not to care for Neelakandan correctly. Therefore we know that by keeping him at Travancore Devaswom he runs a very high risk of been continually abused and neglected by the Travancore Devaswom.I respectfully request that you send the Forest Dept Flying Squad Rangers to provide immediate medical assistance to Neelakandan. Please would you also permanently confiscate Neelakandan and permanently retire him to an elephant sanctuary or relief centre where he be provided with the proper appropriate care for his neurological condition. Thanking you for your time.Yours sincerelyYour name and country of residence.

Rajeev N Kurup ಅವರಿಂದ ಈ ದಿನದಂದು ಪೋಸ್ಟ್ ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆ ಭಾನುವಾರ, ಡಿಸೆಂಬರ್ 9, 2018

What happened?

The video that was captured two weeks ago, showed large wounds in the rear and the front leg of the elephant. The 20-year-old Neelakandan could not stand properly because of the injuries and was trying to shift his body weight to the other leg. He looked weak as if he has not been fed for weeks.

A people for Animals (PFA) member saw the distressed animal while he was feeding an injured dog in the temple premises. “But since the visit was during night time, he could not understand the exact situation. Next morning, he shot videos, from which we understood the real plight of the elephant,…