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Thursday, Jul 02, 2009
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Rescue centre for elephants proposed

R. Rajaram

The facility has been proposed on 20 hectares
It will take care of surrendered elephants

TIRUCHI: The Forest Department has proposed to establish the State’s first Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre for captive elephants at Tiruchi.

The department intends to set up the centre inside the sprawling M.R. Palayam Reserve Forest (RF), the spot identified for creating a zoological park, a few kilometres away from the city and adjoining the Tiruchi–Chennai national highway.

A proposal for setting up the centre on 20 hectares at a cost of Rs.5 crore would be forwarded to the State Government through the Chief Wild Life Warden, Chennai, Forest Department authorities told The Hindu.

The centre would have experienced mahouts, veterinary facility, elephant shelter, feeding area, treatment shed, ramp, dung pits, elephant walking path, fodder plot, circular ponds, water facility and a kitchen.

Trenches would be dug inside and revetments constructed to prevent the pachyderms from leaving the centre. The initiative was taken by Chief Wild Life Warden R. Sundararaju, authorities said.

Around 200 captive elephants are being maintained by Forest Department, temples, circuses and private individuals in the State, including 11 in Tiruchi.

The centre would take care of surrendered elephants and those taken over from neglectful owners by the department.

It will provide a semi-natural environment.

Unnatural confinements have been found to cause bone and joint related problems, infections, and emotional upheavals.

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