Guwahati: Assam-based wildlife conservationist Devajit Moran has issued a strong public appeal to Rajasthan authorities, urging swift arrests in connection with the alleged torture of an elephant in Jaipur.
His statement comes amid fresh outrage over the viral case of an elephant reportedly painted pink for a photoshoot, bringing attention to longstanding concerns about captive elephants exploited for tourism.
“Stop torturing the elephant like this.
I humbly request the Jaipur Forest Department and Police Administration to arrest the people who tortured this elephant as soon as possible. From my own experience, elephants are used in Jaipur on paved roads and tourist attractions in the hot sun. There are many elephants in the country, and you can see that they are suffering a lot,” Moran stated on Thursday afternoon, tagging the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Prime Minister’s Office, and Rajasthan officials. He also called for broader action with hashtags including #elephant, #RajasthanPolice, and #RajasthanTourism.
The appeal follows widespread backlash over the recent photoshoot involving the elephant Chanchal in Jaipur, where organic colours were allegedly used, prompting an investigation by the Rajasthan Forest Department.
Animal welfare groups like PETA India and World Animal Protection have long documented systemic cruelty at sites such as Amer Fort, where over 100 elephants endure daily rides on steep, paved paths in extreme heat. Veterinary reports have cited foot injuries from concrete surfaces, prolonged chaining, psychological distress, and inadequate rest conditions that often lead to aggressive incidents and health decline.
Several elephants have been relocated to sanctuaries like Vantara in Gujarat following Supreme Court interventions.
Moran, known for his work on elephant corridors and human-wildlife conflict in Assam, drew from personal observations to underscore a national issue.
India’s roughly 27,000 Asian elephants face mounting pressure from tourism in states like Rajasthan, where captive animals are treated as transport rather than protected wildlife. Experts warn that such exploitation violates wildlife protection laws and risks the species’ welfare.
Authorities have yet to respond publicly, but Moran’s call has amplified demands for stricter enforcement, including bans on elephant rides and improved rehabilitation protocols.
Conservationists hope the incident will accelerate policy changes to safeguard India’s national heritage animal from further abuse.