The elephants are paraded during festivals (Photo: Kiran
Janayugam) The southern state of Kerala is home to the largest
captive elephant population in India. But many question the way
the animals are treated. The BBC's Soutik Biswas reports. "Where
in the world is the elephant worst treated? The honest and
straight answer is Kerala," says one of the state's best-known
writers, Paul Zacharia. Mr Zacharia is alluding to the plight of
the state's 700 captive elephants, the largest "domesticated"
elephant population in India. These elephants are owned by some
250 people and a number of temples. They are mainly rented out
during the more than 10,000 festivals every year for parades and
processions. The state's most venerated Hindu temple, Guruvayur,
alone owns 66 captive elephants, aged from 14 to 70. They live
on seven acres of land outside the temple, and are looked after
by some 200 keepers or mahouts. The elephants are also hired by
political parties for campaign processions, and by companies for
promoting the