Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Activists Oppose Proposed Transfer of Five Elephants to Tamil Nadu
Five young elephants may be moved from Assam to temples in Tamil Nadu.
The trip would be nearly 3,000 kilometers long.
Animal welfare groups say the transfer raises questions about who owns the elephants and how they were acquired.
They also want authorities to check the permissions, payments and people involved.
One elephant named Durga has reportedly already left Assam.
The group says she was moved from the Manas National Park area instead of an alleged owner's property.
A former Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board member says the move may break rules and should stop.
The board said it had not approved the transfers and would investigate.
Animal welfare groups oppose transferring five young elephants from Assam to temples in Tamil Nadu.
The proposed journey would cover nearly 3,000 kilometers and cross several state borders.
People for Cattle in India has requested an independent investigation into ownership, acquisition and transfer records.
The group says the elephants are reportedly under eight years old, with Durga reportedly only five.
The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board said it had not approved the transfers and would inquire into the matter.
- Who
- Five young elephants—Rupsing, Shiva, Hiralal, Durga and Bijuli—are involved; animal welfare groups are opposing their transfer.
- What
- A proposed transfer of the elephants from Assam to temples in Tamil Nadu is being questioned and investigated.
- When
- The article does not provide a specific date; Durga has reportedly already been moved from Assam.
- Where
- The elephants are being moved from Assam to Tamil Nadu, with Durga reportedly coming from the Manas National Park area.
- Why
- The proposed transfer is reportedly connected to claims that the elephants' current custodians cannot afford to maintain them, but activists question the ownership, custody and permissions.
Animal Welfare Groups
Authorities and Transfer Status
Ownership and transfer records
Animal Welfare Groups
People for Cattle in India says the unusual circumstances require an independent examination of ownership records, acquisition history, permissions, intermediaries, transactions and the money trail.
Authorities and Transfer Status
No official response on the ownership claims was provided in the article. The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board said it had not approved the transfers and would investigate.
Legality of the journey
Animal Welfare Groups
A former Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board member said moving elephants thousands of kilometers across state borders violates Supreme Court guidelines and rules and should be stopped.
Authorities and Transfer Status
The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board said elephants crossing state borders must receive approval from the Animal Welfare Board of India and that it would report its findings to the government.
Durga's custody
Animal Welfare Groups
People for Cattle in India questioned why Durga was moved from the Manas National Park area rather than an alleged owner's premises and whether custody and ownership records were verified.
Authorities and Transfer Status
The article does not include a response from the alleged owner or an official explanation for Durga's movement.
- Elephants named
- Rupsing, Shiva, Hiralal, Durga and Bijuli
- Proposed destination
- Temples in Tamil Nadu
- Approximate distance
- Nearly 3,000 kilometers
- Reported ages
- All are reportedly under eight years old; Durga is reportedly five
- Investigation requested by
- People for Cattle in India
- Board position
- The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board said it had not given assent for the transfers
- Next step
- The Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board said it would inquire and report to the government