International Animal Rescue
Dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of suffering animals

Annual Review 2007

Read our annual review
> Download as PDF

Raise funds for IAR when you search the web

Global News - March 2008

< Back to Global News

Elephant given freedom by authorities in India

Tue 18 March 2008 15:00 UK — Asia,Elephants, Rhinos, Hippos

Picture for article Wildlife charities in India have managed to safeguard an elephant which was being mistreated by the temple that owned it.

Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (Cupa) revealed that it has been working for nearly four years to protect an elephant known as Manikantan, which used to belong to the Aiyappa Swamy Temple in Bangalore.

Despite the fact that the 18-year old elephant was confiscated by the local forestry department in 2004, the animal's legal status has not been clear.

Now, the chief wildlife warden of Karnataka, I B Srivastava, has signed an order that cancelled the temple's ownership of the elephant.

As a result, the state's forestry department has extended the same protection to Manikantan as it gives other elephants.

A statement from Cupa added: "He has been observed to be grazing in the forest and having interactions with other elephants at the Shakrebyle Elephant camp, in Shimoga district."

It added that the case was important as it was the first time the government in India has cancelled an ownership certificate due to ill-treatment and brutality.

Alan Knight, chief executive of International Animal Rescue said: "We warmly welcome the action taken by the Indian government to protect this elephant from further cruelty and applaud CUPA for their persistent efforts to end the animal's suffering.

"This case sends out a strong message that other temples must treat their elephants with kindness, compassion and respect."

Help IAR save animals from suffering around the world.

News brought to you by International Animal Rescue, saving animals from suffering around the world.ADNFCR-1120-ID-18514254-ADNFCR

< Back to Global News   |   Read IAR News


Read IAR News >

November 2008
IAR in talks about Europe's 'forgotten animals'
Max Farrugia from International Animal Rescue in Malta recently attended a meeting in Brussels to discuss what can be done to help Europe's 'forgotten animals'.

November 2008
IAR presses exotic pet trade issue in Brussels
International Animal Rescue representative Max Farrugia attended the fourth ENDCAP conference in Brussels from 9-11 November.

November 2008
A win for greyhounds in Massachusetts
On 4 November the people of Massachusetts, USA voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Greyhound Protect Act. This legislation will phase out commercial dog racing in the state by 2010.

October 2008
Help the Street Animals of Morocco (HSAM)
International Animal Rescue has twice assisted with the treatment of cats and dogs in Morocco by a group of local and foreign volunteers. The initiative was led by vet nurse Claire Sedgewick. She has produced a report describing their work.

October 2008
Sainsbury's seal protest update
On 29 October we entered discussions with Sainsbury's officials and now await a favorable response to our demands for a statement of their intention to stop killings seals.

October 2008
Seals protest outside Sainsbury's demanding an end to shooting: POSTPONED
UPDATE: The protest has been postponed as a result of Sainsbury's willingness to meet and discuss how the seal killings can be avoided.

Find us on facebook
Find us on bebo
Find us on myspace
Find us on YouTube