Asia once was  home for a countless number of elephants, Elephas Maximus, for a very long period of time.    Since known history elephants were an integral part of living since they were involved in all the ceremonial events all across Asia.  Then their numbers were not an issue since they were freely roaming in forests and a limited number was domesticated and taken care of.   However, since the 17^th century, with the spike observed in animal hunting followed by deforestation led to the loss of habitat and these animals were forced out of their homes and territories.  In addition, the illegal animal trades including ivory carvings, home decorations created using elephant tusks led to the indiscriminate killing of elephants for ivory and other body parts that are illegally traded across borders.  The governments continue to turn a blind eye towards this indiscriminate poaching of elephants and dwindling numbers fails to catch anyone?s attention.

 

The conservation status in India shows the elephants marked as ?EN?.  But still the capture of elephants, cruelty and harm inflicted upon them during training and taming is yet to trigger any action from wild life governance or local governments.  For example, 2003 census shows that the Asian elephant population to be just above 50,000.    This is a 50% decline in a gap of 50 to 100 years say, Elephant census between 1903-1940.  

 

In India, despite the recommendations from wildlife conservation groups, there is no official ruling against the domestication of Elephant.  Hence these poor animals are subject to intense labour from an early age leading to stress and eventually their end.  For example, the elephants that are held captive in zoos or circus meet with a similar fate.  With absolutely no freedom, their lives are constrained between the four walls and are held with chains.   The temple elephants, though slightly better compared to the former cases are abused from a different perspective.  These elephants are subject to intense trainings to undertake or support rituals at the temples.  The trainers go beyond all limits and starve them to make these animals abide by the training process.  This has resulted in several incidents including several deaths of both humans and animals.  

 

Animal abuse though in general is a debated topic, there is nothing that has developed concrete in India with respect to caring for elephants.  Some of the elephant conservation camps are just money-making campaigns that are not really aimed at saving elephants.    The superficial shows by these camps have only led to more disbelief in the overall governance system in the country, which is aimed at protecting animals.   They do have a life beyond chains and why not use technology instead of subjecting these animals to extreme stress and excruciating living conditions.  These cries continues to fall in deaf ears only for a few more decades beyond which the term ?Asian elephants? will only make sense in history books. 

 

This is time for action and the important realization that saving such precious species will only ensure the very survival of mankind.