Recent photos have surfaced showing the severe condition of Tikiiri, a 70-year-old elephant who has been subjected to daily mistreatment while parading in festival costumes.
These images reveal her emaciated state, with every rib visible, highlighting the toll years of forced participation in Sri Lanka’s Perahera Festival have taken on her health.
This year, Tikiiri is scheduled to work alongside 60 other elephants during the ten-day Perahera Festival, which celebrates Buddhist traditions with decorated animals and various performers, including dancers, jugglers, fire-breathers, and musicians.
The Save Elephant Foundation released these distressing images to mark World Elephant Day, emphasizing the harsh reality behind Tikiiri’s festive appearance.
“Tikiiri participates in the parade every evening, enduring long hours amidst noise, fireworks, and smoke,” the foundation explained. “She walks several kilometers each night to make the festival feel blessed for attendees.”
Despite her glamorous costume, which obscures her frail condition, the reality is grim. “The costume hides her bony frame and weakened health,” the foundation noted. “No one sees her suffering, the injuries caused by bright lights on her mask, or her struggle with shackled legs.”
The organization criticized the festival, questioning how such suffering could be reconciled with its purported holy nature.
They are calling to end the cruelty and urging the public to contact the Sri Lankan Prime Minister to demand change.
The Save Elephant Foundation, led by Sangdeaun Lek Chailert, is dedicated to improving the welfare of captive elephants in Asia.
Chailert’s commitment stems from a deep love for elephants and a desire to protect them from extinction.
The foundation operates the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and works on various projects to promote humane treatment and preserve elephant habitats.
World Animal Protection estimates that 3,000 elephants are used for entertainment across Asia, with a significant percentage suffering from inhumane treatment.
Many tourists, including over 800,000 Australians annually, visit attractions where they interact with elephants, often unaware of the animals’ poor conditions.
In response to the photos, many have expressed their heartbreak and outrage over Tikiiri’s treatment, calling for immediate action to provide her with a sanctuary for her remaining years.
The Sacred Tooth Relic Temple, which employs Tikiiri, stated they prioritize animal care during festivals but did not address the specific concerns raised by the recent revelations.
Read more Elephant News.
