Animal welfare groups seek clarity over transfer of five Assam elephants to Tamil Nadu

Durga, one of the five elephants that was transferred from Assam to Tamil Nadu. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A group of 53 animal welfare, wildlife, and conservation organisations has urged the Tamil Nadu government to examine the ownership, acquisition, and age records of five young elephants transferred from Assam to temples and religious institutions in Tamil Nadu.

In a joint representation to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and other authorities, the organisations sought clarity on whether the elephants — Durga, Rupsing, Shiva, Hiralal, and Bijuli — were gifted, purchased or transferred.