The Hindu : New Delhi News : Saving the elephant

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 21, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Saving the elephant

Yesteryear stars Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu along with some current actors from Bollywood have joined hands with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (India) to issue a loud statement of compassion for elephants that live in cities.

Expressing concern over the fact that pachyderms are forced to walk on scorching-hot, pothole-ridden roads in busy traffic amid a cacophony of horns and engines, the Bollywood stars have signed PETA’s petition urging Chief Ministers across the country to ban the entry of elephants into urban areas.

Besides Dilip Kumar and his better half, John Abraham, Member of Parliament Priya Dutt, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Mahesh Bhatt, Yana Gupta, Celina Jaitley and others have signed the petition that has been timed to coincide with the first death anniversary of elephant Lakshmi, who was killed by a truck in Mumbai last September.

According to PETA, elephants in cities are prodded and hooked with sharp metals that cause pain and suffering.

When they are not working, the elephants are chained by their legs – unable even to move a single step.

They commonly suffer from potentially deadly foot ailments, skin problems, eye infections and cataracts. Allowing elephants in crowded urban areas also poses a danger to the public.

– Madhur Tankha

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