Elephant relocated to Gujarat facility from Kolhapur; devotees bid emotional adieu
The elephant was transferred to representatives of the Radhe Krishna Elephant Welfare Trust run by Vantara, an animal welfare centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, from the Kolhapur mutt on Monday.
The relocation took place after the Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed by the mutt, challenging the Bombay High Court order upholding the decision of a High Powered Committee to relocate the animal to the Gujarat facility.
The pachyderm was given an emotional farewell by devotees of Swasthishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sanstha, a religious body, as well as residents of Nandani village under Karvir tehsil of Kolhapur late Monday evening.
On July 16, the HC upheld the HPC's decision to relocate the jumbo to the Gujarat-based facility, citing an elephant's right to quality life must take precedence over humans' right to use it for religious purposes.
A bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale noted in their order that the mental and physical health of the elephant Mahadevi alias Madhuri suffered when it was with a Kolhapur-based trust.
The court dismissed a petition filed by the mutt against December 2024 and June 2025 orders passed by the HPC to transfer the elephant to the Radhe Krishna Elephant Welfare Trust.
According to officials, the elephant will reach the Gujarat facility on Wednesday in an animal ambulance.
A large number of villagers came to bid farewell to the elephant with whom they developed a bond over the last several years.
The original transfer was ordered following a complaint lodged by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India about the animal's condition.
The Kolhapur-based trust contended it owned the elephant since 1992, and its presence at religious programmes was a part of a tradition.
But the high court cited a June 2024 report about the elephant's health, diet and nutrition, social environment, hygiene and cleanliness of shelter, veterinary care and work schedule, and said they "appear to be absolutely dismal".
As per the report, the elephant suffered from "decubital ulcerated wounds" on its hip joints and a few other body parts.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
2023 Titan implosion: US coast guard calls tragedy 'preventable'; points to systemic failures at OceanGate
The deadly 2023 implosion of the Titan submersible, which killed all five people on board during a dive to the Titanic wreck, was a 'preventable' tragedy, according to a new report released Tuesday by the US Coast Guard. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Titan, owned and operated by Washington-based private company OceanGate, imploded during a deep-sea expedition in the North Atlantic. All five people on board were killed, including Stockton Rush, OceanGate's CEO and the operator of the submersible. The incident triggered a massive search and rescue effort off the coast of Canada that drew global attention, but there were no survivors. The Coast Guard convened its highest level of investigation, a Marine Board of Investigation, in the aftermath of the disaster. Their final report pointed to significant failures in nearly every area of the Titan's operation, from its design to its day-to-day oversight, reported PBS News. Investigators found that the submersible's design, certification, maintenance, and inspection processes were all inadequate. A Coast Guard statement further cited a 'toxic workplace culture' within OceanGate and noted that the company's mission was hindered by a lack of both domestic and international regulatory frameworks for submersible operations. 'There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework,' said Jason Neubauer, of the Marine Board of Investigation as quoted by PBS News. 'The findings will help prevent future tragedies.' In the two years since the implosion, multiple OceanGate employees have come forward to support the Coast Guard's findings, describing unsafe practices and internal dysfunction at the company. The Titan disaster has since led to lawsuits and mounting pressure for tighter regulation of the rapidly growing private deep-sea expedition industry.
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Madhuri In Walk, Heal, Repeat Mode At Vantara: Take A Look At Elephant Mahadevi's Routine & Recovery
Elephant Mahadevi (Madhuri) has chronic foot issues, signs of laminitis, a long-standing toenail abscess, and painful swellings on both knees, with fractures and arthritis in feet After 33 long and painful years, Elephant Mahadevi (Madhuri) is experiencing at Anant Ambani's Vantara what her daily routine should have been in the wild. Mahadevi has been brought to the Jamnagar facility from Kolhapur, where she was at Swastishree Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sansthan (Jain Math) at Nandani village. She was made part of processions with tight ropes around her stomach, and brought back to her solitary confinement at Swastishree Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sansthan (Jain Math) at Nandani village in Kolhapur. She kept battling multiple injuries, which were only ignored. Elephant Mahadevi's transfer to Vantara In 2017, after years of excruciating loneliness and frustration from her cruel and bleak living conditions, Mahadevi fatally attacked the chief priest of the same Jain Math. Such incidents are not uncommon — elephants held in cruel, unnatural conditions often lash out in frustration and from psychological distress. This led to the involvement of a local politician and eventually the courts, which ordered her transfer to Vantara. While the move led to protests, Vantara in a statement said: 'Vantara was not the initiating party, and that the entire process has been conducted under judicial and statutory oversight, in coordination with the appropriate authorities. The organisation acknowledged Mahadevi's deep emotional and cultural significance in Kolhapur, but it acted solely as a court-appointed recipient facility. The reasons for the transfer are fully documented in the judicial orders, which speak for themselves." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vantara (@vantara) Elephant Madhuri's ailments and recovery Vantara posted her recovery plan on its Instagram handle: 'Madhuri's initial health evaluation, revealing chronic foot issues like overgrown toenails and cuticles, signs of laminitis, a long-standing toenail abscess in the right hind foot, and painful swellings on both knees. Radiographs showed fractures and arthritis in her front feet. The team has now devised a detailed treatment protocol to address the root causes, ease her discomfort, improve mobility, and support her recovery. While we await her lab reports, her nutritionist is already planning a tailored diet. For now, Madhuri needs plenty of rest, comfort, and care. To everyone who's been concerned about Madhuri: we see you, we hear you. We promise her the highest standard of care, gentle, consistent and rooted in love." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vantara (@vantara) A post on Vantara's handle showed her healing process and routine: 'Every elephant deserves a life led by instinct, not instruction. That's the life Madhuri is finally discovering at Vantara. From when she eats to how she heals, every hour aligns with her pace." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vantara (@vantara) Another post shows Madhuri enjoying the hydrotherapy. 'There's something deeply soothing about seeing Madhuri in the water, curious, calm, and completely at ease. The chance to float, explore, and just be herself means everything," the post said. top videos View all View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vantara (@vantara) 'Hydrotherapy is more than a part of her recovery. It helps ease the pressure on her joints, supports movement, and offers comfort from the pain of chronic inflation and arthritis," it said. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : anant ambani vantara view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 05, 2025, 19:25 IST News india Madhuri In Walk, Heal, Repeat Mode At Vantara: Take A Look At Elephant Mahadevi's Routine & Recovery Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
7 hours ago
- India Today
Elephant Rehab Or Religious Rift? Kolhapur Revolts After Mahadevi's Move To Vantara
A centuries-old tradition was shaken in Kolhapur when court-ordered rehab moved Mahadevi (Madhuri), a beloved elephant from Nandini's Jain Mutt, to Reliance's Vantara center. Locals protested, some boycotting Jio in anger at PETA, Reliance, and the decision. Watch the video to learn more. #Kolhapur #ElephantTransfer #JioBoycott #Madhuri #Mahadevi #Vantara #Reliance #JainMutt #AnimalRights #PETA #TempleElephant #MO
