It has been 13 days since the forest department took two elephants that were roaming on the city’s streets into its custody. However, there has been no legal action against the mahouts, who, since they are permitted to take the elephants for a daily walk, continue to use them to collect alms. Moreover, with no court orders sought, the question about permanent custody of the elephants remains.

The elephant is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, and using it for begging is banned under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

Two female elephants, Lakshmi and Poornima, aged between 50 and 60 years, were seized during a raid by the forest department after a tip-off by animal rights group People For Animals (PFA) on June 6. The mahouts, who had no certificates to establish ownership of the elephants, managed to escape along with the elephants, and were recaptured on June 7, after which the elephants were brought to the Peshwe Park, where they are being kept in a shelter.

Both elephants have health-related problems. Lakshmi has cataract and is partially blind in both eyes. Both have wounds in the trunk, feet and the head, which, according to sources, were caused due to prodding with a sharp instrument called ankush.

On June 7, the forest department agreed to take legal custody of the elephants, while the PFA agreed to bear the initial upkeep costs till court orders were received. “It has now been 13 days, and we have paid over Rs 30,000 for the elephant’s feed, and we are running out of funds,” said PFA animal welfare officer Manoj Oswal.

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