The shackles were removed on Friday. Tamil Nadu Government in 2008 had ordered rehabilitation of four elephants, kept chained at temples, in appropriate rescue centres where they can move about, stretch and exercise.
"The living conditions under which Mariappan was kept were unsuitable for any living being ... Daily walking and mental stimulation are essential to an elephant's mental and physical health," PETA India's Manilal Valliyate said.
Photo from here.
Thanking the Forest Department, he expressed hope that the three other elephants - at Sugavaneswarar Temple in Salem, Alagar Kovil in Madurai and Suchindram Temple in Kanyakumari - would also be rehabilitated.
You can read all about Mariappan's sad ordeal here.
6 comments:
I have conflicting emotions. So happy its free, so sad it had to endure this.
One wonder if those who chained him, should be chained as well...
If this was what PETA restricted itself to doing, I'd support them. I wonder if the elephant will actually move around - they're probably so accustomed to the chains they may just stay put.
I remember seeing a young elephant chained up at a temple in Tanjore, (Thanjavur), not far from where this happened.
It was covered in open sores from where it had rubbed against a wall and constantly shook its head from side to side.
His 'keepers' were terrified of him and his care appeared to consist of him occasionally being thrown a few leafy branches.
I totally understand the importance of elephants to the Hindu religion, but this was nothing short of abject cruelty.
Was this elephant ever taken on walks or was he kept similarily to how Mariapphan was kept?
If you're asking me, Anonymous, the elephant was constantly chained up.
None of his keepers would dare go near it.
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