After Shivamogga Dasara incident, PETA India offers mechanical elephants to Karnataka
Following an incident where an elephant ran amok during a Dasara procession in Shivamogga, PETA India has urged the Karnataka government to replace live elephants with mechanical ones. The organization advocates for the welfare of captive elephants and suggests moving them to sanctuaries.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between traditional cultural practices and modern animal welfare standards in India.
After Shivamogga Dasara incident, PETA India offers mechanical elephants to Karnataka left PETA India said mechanical elephants, which can move their heads, ears, eyes, trunks, and tails, are mounted on wheeled bases and can carry ceremonial idols during processions and rituals. File Photo File Photo https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/kklutr/article71612177.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/_JAI9831.JPG SUDHAKARA JAIN Mechanised elephant used by devotees of Jain community celebrating Mahaveer Jayanthi in Bengaluru on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Photo: Sudhakara Jain/The Hindu Bengaluru A day after an elephant ran amok during the Shivamogga Dasara procession, reportedly injuring its mahout and damaging vehicles, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has offered to help provide a fleet of life-size mechanical elephants, requesting the State government to replace live elephants at Dasara celebrations across Karnataka.
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