JOIN USAnother elephant, Roopa, collapsed at the Fun Fort Amusement Park in Srirangapatna of Mandya district on Friday, a day after Chanchal, a female elephant died here.
Speaking to media persons Shreya Paropkari, Cruelty Response Manager, Humane Society International (HSI) India, said “Rupa and Chanchal had shared a close bond. She was ill and was not eating too and on Friday morning she collapsed. She is still alive. The veterinarians are trying their best to revive her.” However, she said, the Forest department is not coming forward to help, despite a request from the Animal Welfare Board of India. Now, people are also sympathetic toward the animals and want a rehabilitation centre for them near Mysuru, as the remaining five elephants are living in pathetic and unhygienic conditions. “We have also moved the court in this matter,” she said.
Dr Sheela Rao, Honorary Treasurer, from Compassion Unlimited Plus Action, said “The Gemini circus owner does not seem to care for the animals. The guards there will not allow veterinarians and people to take care of the elephants. The circus also had a hippopotamus, which died three days ago in Kerala.”
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has banned the use of five animals – tigers, lions, leopards, monkeys and sloth bears – in circuses. Elephants are not banned, but are prohibited under the Central Zoo Authority guidelines. The circuses seek permission in the guise of zoo-keeping and use the animals.