PAWS-Mumbai EXPOSED Mahout of Private owned elephants selling Elephant Tail Hair

Mahout showing tail & customer
selecting hair

Mahout pulling hair with mouth after
 selecting

On 6 December 2011, after Plant & Animals Welfare Society – Mumbai Office received a shocking photograph from an animal lover of a Mahout of Private Owned Elephant which us been used for begging seen selling Elephant Tail Hair, the incident took place near Kaka Petrol Pump, L.B.S. Marg, Bhandup West on  28 November 2011 at around 4:30 PM, in this regards PAWS-Mumbai Office have send an written complaint of Using of Elephant by mahout for commercial purpose and its subsequent abuse along with necessary evidence in which the cruel mahout face is clearly seen to the Senior Police Inspector : Bhandup Police Station and Range Forest Officer : Mobile Squad Thane and copy of that letter have been forwarded to Deputy Commissioner of Police : Zone VII and Chief Conservator of Forests, Thane.


Elephant Hair used in Rings

As per the information the hair on the elephant’s tail is pulled out by mahout to be sold for lodging in ornaments like rings and bracelets as good luck. We learned that the he sells elephant tail hair for as much as Rs. 2,000 depends upon the customer and sometime more too.  This cruel mahout is regularly seen using the elephant for begging in Bhandup and nearby areas.

In the letter PAWS-Mumbai written…………….

This is to bring to your notice of using of Elephants by mahout / owners for display, begging and advertisements on streets. The Indian Elephant is listed at S. N. 12-B in Schedule – 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002.



Copy of PAWS-Mumbai
Complaint

PAWS-Mumbai Evidence
to Police

Such acts, as you would be aware, are against the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960, Performing Animals Rules 1973 & 2001.

We have observed that the owners make the Elephants beg on the streets use them for marriage processions, advertise products and service etc. which is not in the interest of the poor animal. By putting the animal on display in crowded places and amidst heavy vehicular traffic causes server distress to the animal. To add insult to injury the animal is made to accept any food (spoilt or rotten) exposed the poor animal to ill-health and even death.

Recently it has been noticed that the hair on the Elephant’s tail is pulled out by the mahout to be sold for lodging in ornaments like rings and bracelets. This hurts the poor animal and this amount to illegal trade in animal products. We enclose pictures of this cruelty as evidence. If needed there are witnesses who are willing to give their statements about this illegality.

So we urge you to kindly lodge an FIR against the owner / mahout for violating the concerned animal protection laws.

Please see his face he is cruel Mahout



Elephant hair use in bracelets as good luck

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