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Captive Elephant Dhruva Succumbs to Illness and Cruelty
15 Nov
Summary
- Dhruva, a captive elephant, died after prolonged illness.
- Allegations of neglect and delayed intervention surfaced post-death.
- A court petition sought rehabilitation for Dhruva and two others.
Dhruva, a 32-year-old captive elephant, passed away early Friday due to a prolonged illness at the Karisiddheshwara Mutt in Belagavi district. His death comes after a Karnataka High Court heard a petition seeking the rehabilitation of Dhruva and two other elephants. The petition, filed in June 2025, alleged cruelty, neglect, and inadequate treatment, including inhumane chaining and delayed medical intervention.
Petitioner Govind GR pointed to systemic issues in the management of captive elephants, particularly those kept by religious institutions. Dhruva was brought to the mutt in 1996 at a young age. The court had previously ordered health examinations for Dhruva, Padma, and Menaka, the other elephants mentioned in the petition, but subsequent reviews were reportedly lacking.
Allegations in the petition include violations of captive-elephant regulations, such as elephants being forced to stand in their waste and used in private processions across states. Menaka was reportedly taken for a procession in Hyderabad, where she became uncontrollable due to leg chaining. Inadequate food, water, and improper shelters were also cited concerns, with regulatory non-compliance regarding drainage.
