Why send them 3,000 km away? Gaurav Gogoi slams transfer of elephants from Assam to TN

Guwahati: Wildlife experts and animal welfare groups have raised questions over the transfer of five elephants from Assam to Tamil Nadu, with Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi demanding their return and calling on the Assam government to make all records related to the transfer public.

The Assam government had earlier forwarded applications for the transfer of five captive elephants to Tamil Nadu, and the Gauhati High Court has recorded the state's assurance that all necessary clearances have been obtained. However, the transfer process has faced scrutiny over ownership, animal welfare and compliance with legal requirements.

In a post on X, Gogoi questioned the circumstances surrounding the transfer, including the ownership and provenance of the elephants, the clearances obtained and the welfare safeguards followed during transit.

“Hypocrisy and secrecy of the Assam government. Wildlife experts and welfare groups are raising serious questions over the transfer of five elephants to Tamil Nadu. Assam deserves answers,” Gogoi said.

He raised eight questions about the transfer, asking whether the elephants were donated, purchased or otherwise acquired and, if money changed hands, how much was paid and by whom.

He also questioned who initiated the process and how the five elephants were selected.

“If the owners could not care for them, why send them 3,000 km away? Can Assam not care for its own elephants?” he asked.

Gogoi pointed out that two of the elephants, Durga and Bijuli, are around five years old and sought details about their mothers and the documentation establishing their lawful provenance.

“Durga and Bijuli are around five years old. Who are their mothers, and what documented chain of custody establishes their lawful provenance?” he said.

He also questioned the state BJP government's claim before the court that all clearances had been obtained, asking where the documents were and whether the High-Powered Committee had examined the transfers.

Gogoi further raised concerns over the inspection of the facility in Madurai, which he said was reportedly conducted on the same day the transfer was recommended.

“Was there sufficient scrutiny?” he asked.

He also sought clarification on whether all prescribed veterinary and animal welfare safeguards had been followed during transit.

Referring to allegations of abuse involving Joymala, an elephant in Tamil Nadu, Gogoi questioned whether lessons had been learned from the controversy.

“Following the allegations of abuse involving Joymala, have we learnt nothing? Elephants are woven into Assam’s culture and heritage. Their movement out of the state must not be shrouded in unanswered questions,” Gogoi said.

He called for the return of the five elephants and demanded that all records related to the transfer be made public.

“Bring the five elephants back. Make all records public: ownership, age, provenance, permits, clearances, approvals, and payments,” he said.