A seven-year-old elephant at the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka named Mihiri, suffered multiple wounds believed to be the result of brutal training. Photos showed gaping gashes on her feet and painful lesions on her face and head, likely caused by chaining and use of the bullhook.
An independent observer who visited the site on 2nd Apri, found Mihiri isolated from the company of her mother and the rest of the main Pinnewala herd. She was instead in a shed with a young male, Mahasen.
Both animals were tied on short chains with no access to food or water, and were exhibiting repetitive (stereotypic) behaviours associated with stress in confinement. Mihiri’s body condition was poor and she looked significantly underweight.
We ask the director for a detailed explanation as to why she is in poor physical condition, why she in training, what this training entails, and what her future prospects are.
SOURCE and Additional Petition:
https://secure2.convio.net/ida/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2111
Mr Bhashwara Senanka Gunarathna (Dear Director)
Director, National Zoological Gardens
Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha,
Dehiwala 10350
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94112761554
Email: zoosl@slt.lk
Honourable Minister Basil Rajapakse (Dear Honourable Minister)
Ministry of Economic Development
464 T B Jaya Mawatha
Colombo 10
SRI LANKA
Tel: +94 11 2688088
Email: sec_mo@med.gov.lk
A seven-year-old elephant at the Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka named Mihiri, suffered multiple wounds believed to be the result of brutal training. Photos showed gaping gashes on her feet and painful lesions on her face and head, likely caused by chaining and use of the bullhook.
An independent observer who visited the site on 2nd Apri, found Mihiri isolated from the company of her mother and the rest of the main Pinnewala herd. She was instead in a shed with a young male, Mahasen.
Both animals were tied on short chains with no access to food or water, and were exhibiting repetitive (stereotypic) behaviours associated with stress in confinement. Mihiri’s body condition was poor and she looked significantly underweight.
We ask the director for a detailed explanation as to why she is in poor physical condition, why she in training, what this training entails, and what her future prospects are.
