A five-year-old female elephant named Durga, transferred from Assam to the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, has ignited a significant outcry from animal welfare activists and conservationists. The transfer, which covers a distance of approximately 3,000 kilometers, has brought to the forefront concerns regarding the legality, welfare, and potential commercial exploitation of captive elephants moved across state lines.
Concerns Mount Over Transfer of Young Elephant
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the elephant Durga was reportedly moved from Assam on September 7, with activists raising questions about the ownership, acquisition process, and the circumstances surrounding the transfer. Rohit Choudhury, an environmental activist, has written to the Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee (HPC) urging an immediate intervention to halt the transfer of five elephants from Assam to various locations in Tamil Nadu. Durga is among these five, and her transfer to the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai has become a focal point of the activists’ concerns.
The transfer of captive elephants across states has been a contentious issue, with animal welfare organizations alleging that such movements often mask illegal trade and violate existing regulations. People for Cattle in India (PFCI) has claimed that the elephants involved, including Durga, Rupsing, Shiva, Hiralal, and Bijuli, are all young, with Durga being only five years old. The organization has called for an independent probe into the ownership, acquisition, and transfer of these animals. PFCI founder Arun Prasanna stated that when owners claim inability to maintain elephants, transporting them thousands of kilometers away to temples raises serious questions about the actual ownership and custody. He particularly highlighted Durga’s case, questioning why she was moved from the Manas National Park area if she was genuinely privately owned, and whether the owner’s records had been verified.
Questions on Legality and Welfare of Transfers
The legality of such transfers is further complicated by the Captive Elephants (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024. While these rules provide a framework for the transfer of captive elephants, activists argue that they contain loopholes that can be exploited for commercial purposes. A coalition of animal protection organizations, including PETA India, has previously condemned these rules for lacking sufficient safeguards against commercial exploitation. They advocate for stricter regulations, including non-commercial transfers only, comprehensive welfare assessments post-transfer, and an embargo on transfers from certain regions, except for rehabilitation purposes.
The issue of ownership of captive elephants in India remains a significant challenge. Reports suggest that a substantial number of captive elephants in Assam lack formal ownership certificates or face documentation issues. This has led to allegations that many transfers, despite being documented as legal, are in essence sales, a practice that continues despite the prohibition on commercial trading of elephants since the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. This is partly due to an anomaly in the law that defines captive elephants as “cattle,” thus allowing private ownership.
Madras High Court Ruling and Scrutiny of Process
A recent ruling by the Madras High Court in September 2026 clarified its earlier judgment, stating that the prohibition on taking elephants into captivity was meant to prevent fresh captures from the wild and did not prohibit the transfer or donation of already captive elephants. This clarification has paved the way for elephants from other states to enter Tamil Nadu, with Durga’s transfer being among the first under this revised understanding. However, the speed with which Durga’s case was processed has raised questions about the thoroughness of the scrutiny, with the Madurai facility being inspected on the same day the Chief Wildlife Warden issued a recommendation for the interstate transfer.
The controversy surrounding Durga’s transfer highlights a broader struggle between the legal frameworks governing elephant welfare and the practical realities of their management and trade in India. Conservationists emphasize the need for stringent verification of ownership, a transparent acquisition history, and rigorous welfare assessments to ensure that such transfers are genuinely in the best interest of the animals and not part of an exploitative trade. The Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee is expected to play a crucial role in addressing these concerns and ensuring adherence to legal and ethical standards in the handling of captive elephants.
The concerns raised by activists extend beyond individual cases, pointing to a systemic issue of regulating the movement and ownership of elephants across the country. The long journey of approximately 3,000 kilometers undertaken by Durga from Assam to Madurai underscores the considerable stress such transfers can impose on the animals, further amplifying the calls for greater transparency and ethical considerations in all such movements. The resolution of these concerns will be critical in safeguarding the welfare of captive elephants in India and upholding the integrity of conservation laws.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
