Indian festivals already lean hard on elephants. The animals are forcefully dressed up and paraded through towns and cities to celebrate festivals. The recent Thrissur Pooram festival in Kerala, India went a little too far.
Two elephants, one of whom is 86 years old, were forced to stand still while thousands of high-decibel explosions were set off nearby. Their sensitive ears and gentle personalities would certainly have gone into extreme stress as a result.
The elephants were also deprived of food and water for thirty-six hours.
This action has been rightly condemned by a local animal rights activist. But in order for the authorities to take serious action, India's elephants need our support.
Please join me in asking the Parliament of India to require that elephants be kept at least one quarter of a mile from festival fireworks.
Dear Parliamentarians:
I understand that elephants are traditionally part of your traditional celebrations. But that is no reason for them to be treated with cruelty. It appears that the elephants who partook in the recent Thrissur Pooram festival were basically tortured. These animals show signs of long-term abuse. They were deprived of food and water for thirty-six hours. Even more worryingly, they were also forced to stand in close proximity to loud explosions as the fireworks display commenced and continued. Elephants don't understand what you're celebrating. The noise just frightens and stresses them out. There is no good reason not to keep these animals at a safe distance from the noise. Please require that elephants be kept at least one quarter of a mile from festival fireworks.
[Your comments]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
