India needs a more compassionate approach to elephant welfare

When I visited the Wildlife SOS rescue center and Asia’s first elephant hospital in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, this month, I met Bani. Bani is one of the many who became a victim of a train collision. She was just nine-months old at the time of the accident when she was passing the track with a herd of wild animals in Uttrakhand. The calf, likely thrown by impact, was discovered paralyzed in a field beside the tracks. 

Bani also lost her mother in this accident. Left alone and orphaned by her startled herd, the baby elephant sustained severe injuries to her spine, hips, and legs, preventing her from standing. Initial medical assistance was provided by officials from the Uttarakhand Forest Department, alongside veterinarians from Corbett National Park and Nainital Zoo. Later, specialists from Wildlife SOS were called in to provide advanced care.

According to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), a staggering 1,160 elephants were killed in the country due to non-natural causes over the past decade, until December 31, 2020. Among these fatalities, electrocution accounted for 741 deaths, while train collisions claimed 186 elephants. Additionally, poaching resulted in the loss of 169 elephants, and 64 died from poisoning, as revealed in documents obtained via the Right to Information (RTI) Act. While the elephants in the country continue to die, the guidelines for human-elephant conflict management also look to restrict the animal.

‘Breaking the Spirit’

Elephants are wild animals and hence are not meant to be used to earn money by humans. Breaking the spirit of an elephant refers to the harsh and often inhumane practices employed to train and control elephants, particularly in commercial activities such as tourism, performance in circuses, begging, processions in weddings etc. This process typically involves physical punishment, deprivation, and psychological manipulation, severely traumatizing the animal and diminishing their natural behaviors and spirit. 

During my visit with many rescued animals from circuses, begging, accidents, temples, and other challenging environments, Himanshu Sood, an educationist with Wildlife SOS, shared insights into the harsh methods often employed to train these majestic beings for human use. It’s heartbreaking to learn how society imposes such suffering on these wild giants, who deserve to live freely and with dignity. Sood informed me,

“Trainers may use tools like bullhooks or chains to inflict pain, instilling fear to ensure obedience. Young elephants are often separated from their mothers or social groups, causing significant distress and anxiety. Deprivation of food or water may also be used as a form of punishment or control.”

Additionally, coercive techniques are employed that break down the elephant’s will, leading to long-term psychological issues and diminished welfare. Such practices not only affect the mental health of elephants but can also result in aggressive behavior. It highlights the ethical concerns surrounding the treatment of these intelligent and social animals, advocating for more humane and compassionate methods of care and training.

Legal Safeguards for Elephants

In India, elephants are primarily protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. This act classifies elephants as a Schedule I species, which offers them the highest level of protection. It prohibits hunting, poaching, and illegal trade, and also regulates their habitat preservation.

Additionally, elephants are protected under the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 and the Environment Protection Act of 1986, which contribute to their conservation by regulating activities that may harm their natural habitats.

Moreover, India is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which helps regulate and monitor international trade in elephants and elephant products.

In India, the use of elephants in temples is a complex issue. While elephants can be legally used in some temples for religious and cultural purposes, there are strict regulations governing their care and treatment.

The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and various state laws require that elephants in captivity, including those used in temples, must be registered and must have proper permits. The law mandates that their welfare, including adequate living conditions, food, and medical care, is ensured.

Also, the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has guidelines in place regarding the ethical treatment of elephants. These guidelines emphasize that elephants should not be subjected to inhumane practices, and their use in religious ceremonies should be aligned with their well-being.

However, in recent years, there have been growing concerns and legal actions regarding the treatment of temple elephants, leading to calls for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws and the promotion of more humane practices.

Concerns regarding the guidelines

An official statement from the MoEFCC describes the manual as a reference for implementing effective, site-specific mitigation measures to reduce human-elephant conflict. However, most of the recommended best practices focus primarily on confining elephants to Protected Areas (PAs) and forests, neglecting crucial aspects of elephant biology, behavior, and ecology. Notably, less than one-third of India’s wild elephant population resides within these PAs. 

The Conservation India argues that it seems counterintuitive for a MoEFCC Best Practice Document to advocate such restrictions, especially without addressing the future of the approximately two-thirds of the elephant population that exists outside of these protected zones. The MoEFCC does not clarify how this policy will support the broader conservation of elephants in India.

The guide details "various management interventions successfully adopted by elephant range states," including rail fencing, described as elephant-proof trenches. However, in 2018, an elephant died in Karnataka’s Nagarhole National Park after getting trapped in an iron fence made from old railway tracks while trying to reach the forest. In Assam, multiple elephants also perished due to hemorrhage while attempting to break through a wall illegally erected by Numaligarh Refinery Limited in a migratory corridor. 

“Despite this evidence of mortality and the proven ineffectiveness of such barriers, it is concerning that the MoEFCC continues to recommend them as best practices for elephant conservation,” said Sood.

Solutions for Protecting Elephants on Railways

Dr. Lalit of Wildlife SOS is currently treating Bani and a few other elephants who are going through a tough time. According to him, AI based detectors on railway tracks can be the best possible way to create an alert system of an elephant’s presence and guide the activities accordingly.

A similar model was launched by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department this year with an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine learning-enabled surveillance system to prevent elephant deaths on railway tracks.

This system features 12 high towers equipped with both thermal and regular cameras, strategically positioned along the tracks. Installed 500 meters apart, these towers cover key elephant crossing areas, providing a 150-meter detection range on either side of the track for early animal movement alerts.

Data captured by the system is automatically transmitted to a control room, where it is processed in real-time. Forest department personnel, alongside a technical team, monitor animal movement on a shift basis and communicate with locomotive pilots through calls, SMS, and alerts to ensure timely warnings.

As organizations strive to address the challenges of human-elephant conflict, there is an urgent need for stronger legal protections and a more compassionate approach towards these magnificent animals. 

Bani, an example to learn from

The calf has been lovingly named Bani, after Mother Earth. After 14 days of on-site care, she was transferred to the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC) for further treatment. An ambulance was prepared to ensure her comfort during the move. Bani arrived with visible wounds, which are being treated regularly.

Dr. Lalit reported that Bani is receiving laser therapy for joint pain and Trans-Cutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) therapy for nerve relief. Initially unable to stand, she has gradually improved and is now able to get on her feet. With each session in a supportive sling, her balance strengthens and her determination to walk grows.

“To further aid her recovery, veterinarians have introduced hydrotherapy, which helps alleviate her physical discomfort and gently encourages muscle movement,” Dr. Lait added.

Bani embodies courage and resilience, but her story also serves as a vital reminder for authorities, organizations, and communities to adopt a compassionate approach toward wildlife. Every creature shares this world with us, and it’s essential that we recognize their intrinsic value and protect their well-being.

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