Vantara comes forward to set up rehab for elephant Madhuri in Kolhapur

Ahmedabad: Amid ongoing protests demanding the return of elephant Madhuri to the Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sansthan Mutt, also called the Nandani Math, Reliance Foundation-run animal shelter Vantara on Wednesday offered to set up a rescue facility for the pachyderm in Maharashtra's Kolhapur for her rehabilitation.

"Vantara proposes to work in close coordination with the Jain Matha and the state government to establish a satellite rehabilitation centre for Madhuri in the Nandani area of Kolhapur. The proposed facility will be developed in accordance with the established animal welfare guidelines, after consultation with experts from the high-powered committee and consensus of the Matha, while aligned to international best practices in elephant care," it said in a statement.

It said that the proposed centre would be equipped with round-the-clock medical facilities and a "specialised hydrotherapy pond for joint and muscular relief, a second, larger water body for swimming and natural movement, [and] a laser therapy and treatment room for physical rehabilitation", among other facilities.

Vantara also defended Madhuri's relocation to its Jamnagar facility, saying: "The decision to relocate Madhuri was taken under judicial authority, and Vantara’s role was to provide care, veterinary support, and housing as an independent rescue and rehabilitation centre. At no stage did Vantara initiate or recommend the relocation, nor was there any intent to interfere with religious practice or sentiment."

It added that its involvement in the matter was "limited to acting strictly in accordance with the binding directions issued by the Supreme Court and Bombay High Court".

Vantara also said it would extend its full support to any application the Jain Math and the Maharashtra government filed in court requesting Madhuri's return to Kolhapur. 

The 36-year-old elephant, also known as Mahadevi, was relocated to Vantara's Radhe Krishna Elephant Welfare Trust in Jamnagar last week following a court ruling based on a petition moved by the NGO People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

The relocation sparked a major controversy as locals protested the move.