Elephant Models Replace Live Animals in Indian Temples

THRISSUR:

It flaps its ears and squirts water from a waving trunk, but this elephant is a life-size mechanical replica rolled out to replace the endangered animals in India’s Hindu temples.

Made of fibreglass and rubber, and trundling on a wheeled metal frame strong enough to hold a rider, the model is one of dozens that animal rights campaigners are trumpeting as an alternative to keeping elephants in captivity in India.

Elephants in Hindu Temples

Elephants are used during many Hindu temple ceremonies, paraded through packed crowds with flashing lights, thumping drums and ear-splitting music. Deadly attacks by panicked pachyderms are common.

"It is a wild animal, it likes to live in jungles," said CG Prakash, 68, a former official at the popular Chakkamparambu Bhagavathy temple in India’s southern Kerala state. "We are capturing it and torturing it. It’s totally unethical."

Mechanical Elephants

The robot elephant was donated by the Voice for Asian Elephants Society, which said it would aid "cruelty-free temple traditions."

Campaigners from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India say the more than 2,700 captive elephants in the country often face "severe physical and psychological stress."

Despite being herd animals, they are often kept alone and chained up for much of the day.

PETA has funded more than a dozen models since 2023, donated on the condition that temples move their elephants to approved sanctuaries.

Benefits of Mechanical Elephants

"Mechanical elephants help retain age-old traditions in a modern way," said PETA’s Khushboo Gupta. "They help ensure real elephants can remain with their families in their natural jungle habitats."

Like the real thing, models are draped with a golden headdress and bedecked with flower garlands.

Cost-Effective and Safe

Modelmakers say a luxury version – complete with electric motors powering a nodding head, rolling eyes and a lifelike swishing tail – can cost more than $5,500.

Professional model maker Prasanth Prakasan, 42, said he and three friends began making elephant models as an art project, but are pleased they are now helping protect real animals.

"What we are doing is saving elephants, and we are happy about it," he said.

The team has made nearly 50 such elephants – with a production line at the workshop building several more.

For those keen on an elephant at their wedding, models can be rented without the cumbersome permits required for a costly real one, he pointed out.

Concerns and Controversies

Accidents involving spooked elephants trampling crowds are common and some temples switching to models cite the safety of their worshippers.

In February alone, PETA recorded incidents in Kerala involving nine captive elephants losing control, with five people killed.

In one, an elephant at a festival was spooked by fireworks, jabbed its companion with a tusk and triggered a stampede that killed three people and injured dozens.

Conclusion

The use of mechanical elephants is a step towards reducing the exploitation of these magnificent creatures. With their habitats shrinking and conflict between humans and wild elephants growing, it is crucial that we adopt humane and sustainable solutions to preserve these majestic animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are mechanical elephants a suitable replacement for live elephants in Hindu temples?
A: Yes, mechanical elephants can help retain traditional practices while ensuring the welfare of real elephants.

Q: Are mechanical elephants cost-effective?
A: Yes, mechanical elephants can be rented or purchased at a lower cost than maintaining live elephants.

Q: Are mechanical elephants safe?
A: Yes, mechanical elephants are designed to be safe for worshippers and can be programmed to avoid accidents.

Q: Will this initiative reduce the number of elephants in captivity?
A: Yes, by promoting the use of mechanical elephants, we can reduce the demand for live elephants in temples and promote the welfare of these animals.