After Elephants Run Amok During Rath Yatra, PETA India Offers Gift of Life-Like Mechanical Elephant to Gujarat to Help Animals and for Public Safety
Following the alarming incident in which three elephants ran amok during the 148th Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, injuring at least two people and triggering mass panic, PETA India has written to the Honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel. In the letter, PETA India has respectfully appealed for a policy decision to prohibit the use of live elephants in future public processions in Gujarat and has offered to donate a life-size mechanical elephant free of cost to the Jagannath Temple or any temple of the government’s choosing so long as the temple pledges never to own or hire live elephants, or sends any it has to Vantara or other suitable sanctuary.
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PETA India points out that while veterinary checks were reportedly conducted beforehand, news footage shows clear signs of psychological distress, such as swaying and head bobbing in the elephants who were used, and the use of ankush weapons on them which are banned through an order of the Hon’ble Rajasthan High Court. PETA India warns there is an inherent risk in forcing elephants into noisy, crowded environments, and that this incident could easily have resulted in mass casualties.
This was a narrowly avoided catastrophe. Elephants are wild animals who are distressed by crowds and noise. Their panic puts the lives of everyone nearby at risk. We respectfully urge the Honourable Chief Minister to enact a policy that ends the use of live elephants in public processions. Gujarat now has an opportunity to lead the nation with compassion and foresight, and to protect both people and animals from entirely preventable suffering. The use of mechanical elephants allows that without compromising tradition or processions in any substantial way.
In 2024, at least 14 incidents were reported across India in which captive elephants turned violent. In just the first few months of 2025, over 20 captive elephants used in religious processions in Kerala alone became distressed and aggressive, resulting in six human deaths and numerous injuries.
As a cruelty-free and safe alternative, PETA India introduced the use of life-like mechanical elephants in temples and processions. Now, at least 19 temples across South India use them, 10 of which were donated by PETA India. These mechanical elephants, made of rubber, steel, and fibre, are three metres tall and weigh 800 kilograms. They can lift their trunks, flap their ears, swish their tails, and carry idols or individuals for ceremonial purposes. Mounted on a wheelbase and powered by electricity, they can be easily moved through processions without causing suffering or endangering lives.
The use of mechanical elephants or other non-animal means instead of live animals would be aligned with other government of Gujarat initiatives to help animals, like Karuna Abhiyan.
End the Use of Elephants In Performances
