Assam’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department has shortlisted five doctors to “advise” the Forest Department to transport the four juvenile elephants to Ahmedabad.
A Division Bench of Gauhati High Court on Tuesday observed that proper steps are to be taken into consideration for the safety of the elephants in transit and the aspect has to be left to the experts.
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Also read: Elephants’ transit put on hold; Gauhati HC directive for fresh order
A PIL was filed in the Gauhati High Court to stop the Assam Forest Department’s decision to transport four elephants to the Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad amidst the heat wave of North India.
Animals rights activists had challenged the Assam Forest Department’s decision to transport the four elephants by a passenger train a,idst the heat wave.
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Also read: Transfer of elephants: Gauhati HC seeks clarification from Centre
The Division Bench directed the chief wildlife warden of Assam to issue a fresh order considering all aspects for safe transportation of the elephants.
Dr Pulin Chandra Das, director of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department on Tuesday evening directed the veterinary doctors to be present at a meeting on Wednesday at Aaranya Bhawan.
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Dr. Das directed all the five well-known veterinary doctors to be present at Aaranya Bhawan positively by 9.30 am.
In addition to the team of veterinarians, senior officials of the Chief Wildlife Warden are likely to attend the meeting to finalise the minute details for transportation of the four elephants.
Since NF Railway has reportedly turned down the Assam Forest Department’s request to transport the elephants along with a passenger train, the four juvenile elephants now may be transported in trucks.
It is most likely that the veterinary doctors will also be requested to accompany the four elephants to Ahmedabad.