An Elephant named Guruvayoor Seshadri died in Palakadu district in Kerala after falling into a well. The elephant was owned by a Guruvayoor Devaswom and was returning after being paraded at the annual festival at Sreenarayanapuram Uthrathilkavu temple at Thiruvazhiyode, as reported by Manorama online. The incident occurred around 8.45 PM. According to the report, the well had no outer wall.
Elephant runs amok, dies after falling into well in Palakkad, #Kerala | https://t.co/r8OZUixZvP
— Onmanorama (@OnmanoramaLive) March 21, 2018
The elephant’s carcass was taken out by the police and fire and rescue officers using earth mover and crane.
“This is the fourth death within two weeks. As more and more elephants succumb to their overwork, lack of proper care, feed and housing, the remaining elephants will end up getting even more overworked and we will see more deaths this year! Guruvayur Elephant camp lost their 6th Elephant within 12 months,” Rajeev N Kurup, an animal welfare officer in the state posted on Facebook.
Six captive elephants were died in the month of February alone, as per the report by The Times of India. “All these six elephants were kept by persons having no statutory ownership certificate and, who had failed to provide statutory shelter sheds for these elephants,” said V.K. Venkitachalam an elephant activist in the state. “No other state in the country has witnessed such intentional torture and killing of elephants in captivity,” he added.
In 2017, 20 elephants died in the state and half of them were below 40 years of age. During 2016, the number was 26, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle.
“Earlier, elephants were owned by landlords, for whom they were a symbol of their status. So they were tethered to large compounds and were better-taken care of. But now, people who buy them are pure businessmen, who regularly give them on the lease,” said Rajiv Kurup to The Times of India.
Also read:
Report Indicates 20 Captive Elephants Were Killed In 2017 During Temple Festivals In Kerala
Kerala: Deplorable Elephant Parade Again, Police Allegedly Keep Mum
