The Hindu, India
December 26, 2004

CUPA SORE OVER GIFTING OF ELEPHANT

Staff Reporter

For this young female elephant, this is a journey she may never want
to embark on. Animal rights organisations are sore over the decision
of the State Government to send Veda from the Bannerghatta Biological
Park to the Yerevan Zoo in Armenia in West Asia. The proposed
transfer is in disregard of animal welfare guidelines, legal
provisions and government policies, according to Compassion Unlimited
Plus Action (CUPA).

The organisation has said that the practice of gifting elephants to
temples or States and countries should be checked, keeping in mind
the welfare of animals.

Violation

In a press release issued here, CUPA said Veda, which is Schedule 1
wild animal, is being sent to a far away place in violation of the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Wildlife Protection
Act of 1972 and the policies of the State Government. According to
the organisation, the pachyderm, which is six years old, is living
with a herd of elephants in the park. The elephants are given
adequate food and water at the park and are taken to the forest in
the evenings. The elephants live closely as a family and if Veda is
separated from the herd, it may be harmful to her wellbeing. It said
Section 42 of the Wildlife Protection Act states that with respect to
any wild animal, the Chief Wildlife Warden should ensure that the
applicant (in this case the Yerevan Zoo authorities) has adequate
facilities to take care of it.

However, in this case, no inquiry about the conditions at the Yerevan
Zoo has been made by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the park, the State
Government or the Centre. The Yerevan Zoo is not a sanctuary. Apart
from the freezing temperature, the zoo in Armenia is not suitable for
elephants. The enclosures there are not adequate for the big animal
to move about, CUPA said.