The female elephant named Joymala, also known as Jeymalyatha, is in the custody of the Srivilliputhur Nachiyar Thirukovil temple.
From the earlier reports, she was leased out with permission from the Assam Forest Department for six months but was never returned back to Assam.
The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department said that Joymala is “absolutely doing well”, PETA-India’s campaigns manager Radhika Suryavanshi said. But video evidence gathered in October-end and just two days ago show Joymala being shackled on a hard concrete floor, in complete isolation from others of her kind, and being controlled with weapons.
“PETA India’s investigation shows Joymala is living a miserable life of pain and fear, denied the opportunity to move around freely or to socialise with other elephants. It is high time for Joymala to be seized and sent to a rehabilitation centre where she can feel safe, recover from trauma, and be in the company of other elephants,” Ms Suryavanshi said.
