2 Caretakers Suspended For Allegedly Torturing Elephants In Kerala

Two mahouts, or elephant caretakers, working at the 'Punnathur Anakkotta', an elephant care centre in Kerala, belonging to Guruvayur Devaswom have been suspended for allegedly torturing elephants. The action against the mahouts was taken pending inquiry after video footage of them torturing two elephants went viral on social media. According to temple sources, the incident took place a month ago in Guruvayoor. The footage clearly shows the elephants being continuously beaten with a 'Vadikkol', a stick used to control elephants. The elephant in question was presented to the temple by the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.