The temple management has denied any shortcoming in maintaining the elephant or ill-treatment to the animal.
Unlike in the past, for the past two and half years, the elephant was being brought to the temple only in evening – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The temple management said that the elephant is being maintained by the temple management purely for religious purpose. Maintaining elephants in temple or mosque is a traditional religious practice in the country and almost 52 elephants are being maintained in the temples of neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
The temple management claims that it has been maintaining the animal with utmost care since the time she was brought here. However she developed ‘foot rot’ during 2011-12 for which veterinary care was provided in consultation with experts. Based on their advice, the animal was admitted to the special elephant camp organised by Tamil Nadu Forest Department during 2012-13 at Sadivayal. The animal returned to Puducherry with a healed foot due to the regular and constant treatment she took at the camp.
As a routine practice, the animal’s condition is being followed up periodically to prevent the recurrence of the problem. Proper and sufficient medical foot bath, keeping the animal on natural surface and enough rest have helped the healing process.
N. Karunakaran, Executive Officer of the temple, told The Hindu , “Lakshmi is housed in a ventilated and well-cleaned open shelter during the night hours. She is allowed to stay in the open yard under tree shade and natural soil surface during the daytime. Copious drinking water and bathing water is available at shelter point. She is not constantly chained and not at all standing amid her own waste as alleged by the animal activist group.
“Mahouts were given special training to update their knowledge and skill on captive elephant management by experts. Moreover, beating as well as prodding and gouging in sensitive areas with ‘ankus’ is not practised,” Mr. Karunakaran said.
The municipality which gave the licence in 2013 to the temple trust for keeping elephant has justified that the issuance of such licence. The authorities here said the animal is well maintained and monitored by them.
Veterinary surgeon K. Coumarane told The Hindu that the licence was granted to the Executive Officer of the temple for keeping the elephant under the Pondicherry Municipality Act and Rules. The objective is to ensure the safety and precautionary measures to be followed by the people while keeping animals in their custody.