Webindia123, India
Jan 16 2005

Kids refuse to part with baby elephant gifted by government to
Armenia:-

Bangalore

Dozens of children, some as young as five, lined the streets of
Bangalore protesting the Centre’s decision to send a baby elephant to
Armenia as a goodwill gift.

The children, many wearing elephant masks and struggling with banners
twice their size, shouted slogans and pleaded to the authorities to
let “Veda”, the six-year-old female elephant, to stay.

The baby pachyderm is currently spending its last few days at the
Bannerghatta National Park on the outskirts of the city.

People for Animals, a voluntary organisation spearheading the
campaign, says the cold and dry climate of the tiny European nation
is unsuitable for Asian elephants and “Veda”, who is used to the
warmth of the coast , faces a serious survival threat even in the
special climate controlled enclosures provided by the zoo.

Urging the government to reconsider its decision, Siddhant, also six
years old, said Veda was his friend and like him could not stay away
from home. “This elephant should not be sent to such a cold climate
which is zero degree. If my parents send me away to a cold climate I
cannot live,” he said.

Activists say that elephants are extremely sensitive and emotional
and little Veda will face both loneliness and confusion when shifted
from the sanctuary. Sharat Babu, an activist, said even the
government was not aware about how well the Armenia zoo was equipped
to handle Veda. “We are actually protesting against the illegal
transfer of Veda, the baby elephant which has for six years been in
Bannerghatta to Armenia, where temperatures are totally unsuitable
and the housing is incorrect in the Armenia zoo,” he said.

Armenian officials had asked the Indian government for a female
pachyderm in 1999. Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee
promised them an elephant during a visit to Armenia last year. (ANI)