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More sensitivity essential - Thiruvananthapuram

The violent manner in which an elephant behaved recently in Thrissur, as also other similar incidents, raise questions about the way the animals are treated, and flags a need for greater sensitivity. Should we ill-treat animals for pleasure, profit or piety? Our readers respond:

Be humane

Ill-treating animals is not acceptable. We have to be humane. Elephants are ill-treated a great deal in our State. Only trained mahouts should be allowed to handle them. Rules laid down in this regard should be followed. Education should be imparted at the school level. This would help our children imbibe a sense of respect and love for all living beings.

A. Jacob Sahayam
Thiruvananthapuram

Take action

The elephants are a symbol of our culture. But today, elephants are subjected to inhuman treatment by drunken mahouts and are made to work in miserable conditions. Often the elephant gets fed up and they react. Stringent action would curb maltreatment of elephants. Those guilty should be brought to book.

Madhavan R.
Thiruvananthapuram

Publish guidelines

Elephants are not mobile heavy cranes, as some owners believe. The harassment meted out should end. Only those with a true liking for what they do should be appointed mahouts. Lessons must be imparted to every candidate who takes up the responsibility. There should be guidelines on every aspect of elephant handling. The quality of food, the amount of rest etc should be mentioned. A data sheet must be maintained and it should be inspected by an official regularly.

P.M.G. Pillai
Thiruvalla

Offence

Very often elephants become violent for various reasons. They get tired after long walks. The animals are predominantly peaceful. The major cause of our elephants getting violent is the kind of behaviour of the mahouts. They should not be allowed to mix their drinking habits with animal handling. Consumption of liquor by mahouts while on duty should be treated as an offence.

T.V.R. Potti
Thiruvananthapuram

Address real issue

Reports about elephants going berserk or being ill-treated appear in the media mainly during the festival season. Evidently, this is the worst season for elephants though it is the best for their owners. Man's cruelty and mindless greed drive these beasts to violence. But, sadly, we only look at the violence and the resulting devastation caused by `rogue elephants.' We never seek to address the real issue behind such violent outbursts. Mahouts are gored to death not because the animal deserves pleasure. Elephants have become victims of endless exploitation. Their owners and caretakers take them only to be income-generating machines. The feelings of the animals are never taken care of. They do not get what they badly need — food and rest. They are taken from one temple to another on foot in the scorching sun. The animals have to walk hours on end. Such long walks often cause accidents. Prescribed precautions are seldom adhered to. Transporting elephants on lorries is also not very safe. During poorams, fireworks and loud music annoy the animals greatly. Animal lovers and organisations like PETA and SPCA have to step in. It is important that these cases are relentlessly pursued. Even the apathy of the public towards the ill-treatment of elephants is reason enough for the continued misery.

N.K. Vijayan
Kizhakkambalam

Sensitise people

In many countries, we find voluntary organisations and Government units functioning exclusively to protect animals and prevent cruelty and ill-treatment of the beasts. In India, we need to have a better system in place. Our basic attitude should change and all people should be sensitised. There should be enough thrust on ethical treatment of animals in the school curriculum as well.

Neelandon Kuravattoor
Ottappalam

Short memory

One heart-rending aspect of modern life is the total insensitivity of people to the sufferings of others. We read about killings by terrorists, death due to road accidents caused by sheer negligence or chaotic driving, suicides due to starvation, the drowning of children, bombings etc. But our memory seems to be very short-lived. Till about a few decades ago, emotional empathy was very strong. Our attitude to life is reflected in the way we treat animals. The elders would not sleep when a cow was calving. Animals were also treated as part of the household and were not objects of exploitation.

E.X. Joseph
Udayamperoor

Impart training

Ill-treatment of animals, especially of elephants, is on the rise. The animals are tortured endlessly. This is the main reason why elephants behave violently. Elephants are being used to generate profit.

The masters, barring a few, in their quest for wealth pay little attention to the welfare of the animal. Most of the time the animal is taken care of by the mahout.

Mahouts are not properly trained and use crude methods of handling. They are unaware of the requirements of the elephants. Scientific training should be imparted to mahouts as the first step. Only those who really care should be appointed as mahouts.

The Government should set a code of conduct in this regard. It should be binding on all those involved in dealing with animals. Fixing duty hours and giving attractive salaries should improve status of mahouts. Any violation of the stipulated guidelines should invite strong action.

V. Viswanathan Nambiar
Thrissur

State's duty

It is primarily the duty of the Government to protect animals from being treated cruelly. Elephants are ill treated the most. Festival season is also a season of torture. We have to come out of our mindset. We should decide against using elephants for poorams and other such event.

S.N. Thiruvazhiode
Poonithura

Training essential

Well-trained and maintained elephants are generally always well-behaved and enjoy their relationship with humans. The willingness of elephants to be domesticated and to

adapt to settings different from their natural habitat is a notable attribute. However, with the demands of tradition increasing, standards of training and handling are declining. This is a very dangerous trend. Many accidents involving elephants occur due to callous handling. The prescribed

guidelines are not adhered to. Mahouts are alternatively called `elephant drivers.' The usage holds a clue. Like vehicle drivers, mahouts also should have valid training and a licence to work. Such training should enable scientific methods of tackling the animal. Also the process of capturing elephants should be made scientific. The methods now used are cruel. Customised lorries should be used to transport elephants. Finally, a message: stoning an irritated elephant is crazy.

Devraj Sambasivan
Alappuzha

Laws needed

Elephants are usually calm. The elephants often cannot bear the torture of standing for long hours in the sun. Loud music also adds to the irritation. They seldom get rest during the festive season and food is also inadequate. As a result of all this, elephants run amok on many occasions creating problems. A legislation should be brought in for the purpose.

K. Vydianathan
Thrissur

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