Tragic End for a Gentle Giant: Elephant Struggles against Its Chains Before It Collapses and Dies at Indian National Park, Prompting Allegations of Neglect

ANIMAL RIGHTS - VEGETARIANISM, 6 May 2019

James Tweedie – Daily Mail

• Heartbreaking video shows the beast of burden tugging at its chains then falling
• Elephant handlers said they asked for a vet for the sick animal but no help came
• The elephant, named Drona, had twice taken pride of place in a religious parade

29 Apr 2019 – Elephant handlers in India have accused authorities of neglect after video footage emerged showing a working animal collapsing and dying.

Mahouts, or handlers, told local news media that they could see the 37-year-old male elephant, identified in reports by the name Drona, was unwell, but their calls for a vet went unanswered.

The heartbreaking video was captured on April 26 at the Nagarahole National Park in the southwestern state of Karanatka.

Men are seen bathing the shivering beast of burden, which heaves on its chains with its foot and trunk.

The elephant then collapses under its four-ton weight and falls onto its left side.

Elephant camp officials said Drona died when he went to drink water from a tank, and suddenly collapsed.

The sick elephant, identified by the name Drona, tugs at his chains moments before collapsing,

He had reportedly been showing symptoms of illness since Friday morning.

The first mahout to see Drona dead said he suspected a heart attack was the cause.

But vetenarians will carry out an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The stricken elephant slumps in the ditch where he is being bathed and falls onto his left side.

Drona won fame in 2017 and 2018 when he carried the golden howdah, or platfrom, in processions to mark the Hindu religious festival of Dasara in the city of Mysuru.

The annual cavalcade of 15 colourfully decorated elephants brought from the Nagarahole forest is the highlight of the three-mile (five kilometre) religious procession.

The dying elephant lies where he fell. Handlers said they asked for vetinary care but no help came.

Go to Original – dailymail.co.uk

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