The Supreme Court of India directed the central government on Tuesday to implement strict welfare measures for the country's captive elephants [1].
This order addresses growing concerns over the treatment of animals kept for religious rituals and private ownership, where regulatory oversight has historically been inconsistent.
A bench led by the Chief Justice of India mandated that the government ensure the well-being of these animals through regular medical check-ups and constant monitoring [1]. The court also ordered the establishment of special clinics and the maintenance of detailed health records [2]. To prevent illegal trade and improve tracking, the court required the implementation of DNA profiling for the animals [1].
India currently has 2,725 captive elephants [3]. More than half of these animals are in private possession [4]. This high proportion of private ownership has raised alarms regarding the adequacy of care and the potential for systemic abuse or illicit trafficking [3].
The court's directive extends to elephants kept in temples, monasteries, and for various rituals across the country [1]. The bench emphasized that the spiritual value placed on the animals must be matched by tangible care. "You worship elephant, take care of it," the bench said [2].
Beyond immediate medical care, the court ordered the government to strengthen the overall regulatory framework governing captive elephants [1]. This includes creating a more robust mechanism to monitor the animals' living conditions, and ensuring that owners adhere to national welfare standards [3].
“"You worship elephant, take care of it."”
This ruling signals a shift toward scientific management of wildlife in cultural settings. By mandating DNA profiling and centralized health records, the Indian government is moving to treat captive elephants as regulated assets rather than private property, aiming to curb the illegal wildlife trade and standardize veterinary care across diverse religious and private institutions.
