WILDLIFE SOS Four confiscated elephants are heading back to the circus

The elephants, aged between 25 and 52, have been taken back by India’s Rambo Circus under court order after an eight-hour stand off. Indian government authorities in charge of animal welfare and zoo regulations had recently ordered the elephants – called Pearl, Ruby, Goldie and Sylvie – to be confiscated and sent for medical treatment. One of the elephants is described as blind. After the court in Pune ordered the animals to be returned to the Rambo Circus, the animals have been taken back by their staff despite attempts from animal welfare campaigners to block the move.

Indian media reported how the circus people were refused entry to the rescue centre. The court’s decision to allow the seized elephants to go back to the circus has been described by wildlife campaigners as a “dark and sad day for India and a breakdown of the judicial system”. Wildlife SOS – a leading Indian animal welfare charity – claimed the court’s decision was because of a legal loophole. In a statement, it said: “The foundation for the court decision rests on procedural flaws committed by the enforcement authorities during confiscation of the elephants.”

WILDLIFE SOS

WILDLIFE SOS The animals returned to the circus despite attempts from animal welfare campaigners to stop the move

The elephants were confiscated last month in a high profile, two-day operation that made global news, with Wildlife SOS saying they would not only rehabilitate the elephants but also offer employment to the animals’ circus handlers so they did not lose their livelihoods.

All the efforts in providing them medical care and treatment will be lost if they return Elephant vet Dr Yaduraj Khadpekar

Wildlife SOS co-founder Kartick Satyanarayan told the Times of India after the rescue: “We will train them to handle elephants with kindness and compassion." Speaking today, elephant veterinarian Dr Yaduraj Khadpekar told Wildlife SOS: “The blind and injured elephants have had a small taste of freedom. "All the efforts in providing them medical care and treatment will be lost if they are returned to the circus.”

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WILDLIFE SOS An elephant vet said all efforts in treating the animals will be lost if they return to the circus