Kerala High Court seeks urgent measures to improve conditions of captive elephants at Punnathur Anakotta

The Kerala High Court has directed the Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee (GDMC) to implement urgent measures to ensure the welfare of the captive elephants housed at Punnathur Anakkotta under the Guruvayur Devaswom Board.

The GDMC was directed to strictly adhere to the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012, in all aspects of management and provide a progress report by September 2. They should ensure the elephants are maintained in a clean, hygienic and healthy environment. The tethering areas should consist of level earthen flooring, should not be continuously damp, and the tethering locations must be periodically changed.

The committee was instructed to implement the model feeding schedule issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden and ensure that the RO water purification system installed at Punnathur Kotta is maintained in proper working condition to provide all elephants with an uninterrupted supply of safe and adequate drinking water.