Hyderabad: Demand to cancel veterinary license over elephant issue

Hyderabad: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has sought cancellation of the veterinary license of the veterinarians who issued the health certificate to allow elephant Rupavati to be taken out of Karnataka. They claimed that elephant Rupavati was used for Bonalu and Muharram processions in Hyderabad even though she was ill. In a press statement issued on Thursday, the organisation said that a recent examination by independent wildlife veterinarians has revealed that Rupavati is unfit for public events due to serious health problems such as one-sided blindness and arthritis. “The group demands accountability and action against Karnataka veterinarian Dr. Sathish and Telangana veterinarians Dr. M. Naveen Kumar, M. Abdul Hakim, G. Shambulingam and B. Sambasiva Rao who wrongly declared Rupavati healthy.

While she is unilaterally blind in the right eye and has overgrown cuticles on her feet and cracks in her toes, she also shows signs of arthritis and lameness in her gait,” the statement said. PETA has also written to the Karnataka and Telangana Veterinary Councils to report the case. The elephant urgently needs rehabilitation in a sanctuary where she can live without any shackles and with other elephants, the animal welfare organisation said, adding that her transportation violated several rules including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. PETA India had also offered to fund and facilitate the use of a life-size mechanical elephant instead of a real elephant for Muharram and Bonalu processions. These realistic mechanical elephants can replicate the experience of using a real animal without any harm, ensuring both human safety and animal welfare.