Rest in Peace, Bijlee

In a heartbreaking end to an already tragic situation, Bijlee, the sick elephant who collapsed on a Mumbai street, has died. Unable to walk or stand and suffering from arthritis and a large maggot-infested wound, Bijlee spent the last days of her life strapped to a crane while members of Animals Matter To Me and volunteer veterinarians worked desperately to save her.

PETA India met with Maharashtra’s Minister of Forests, Dr Patangrao Shripatrao Kadam, who agreed to consider a full ban on keeping and transporting elephants in and around Mumbai.

Following a 2007 PETA India campaign, the Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests issued an order prohibiting bringing in or keeping Indian elephants in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai or Thane, unless specific conditions are met and a certificate is issued, which makes using elephants for begging illegal. Yet countless elephants live in misery while being forced to beg on congested and dangerous streets. The elephants don’t get enough food, water or veterinary care and are worked to exhaustion.

Please send a polite e-mail to Minister Kadam urging him to pass a full ban on keeping and transporting elephants in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane.