20 Elephants Travel over 3000 kms from Namsai in Arunachal to Vantara, Gujarat For a Better Life

Elephants in Arunachal Pradesh were integral to timber operations, dragging heavy logs through challenging terrain.

Twenty elephants – 2-year-old Maya, 10-year-old Laxmi and 18 others traversed over 3,374 kilometres from Namsai, perched at a height of 3,986 feet in Arunachal Pradesh to Anant Ambani run Vantara Vantara, the world’s largest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat for better care and facilities.

The group of elephants, consisting of 10 males, 8 females, 1 sub-adult, and 1 calf, were transported in specially designed elephant ambulances. These ambulances were equipped to provide maximum comfort and safety, ensuring that the elephants’ journey was as smooth as possible.

Despite the drastic difference in climate between Namsai, located in a higher altitude with cooler climate, and Vantara located in the dry and arid areas of Jamnagar, the elephants are expected to have a safe, secure and healthy stay at Vantara, a specially designed space for big animals like elephants with state-of-the art medical facilities.

According to reports, Laxmi endured severe physical trauma during her taming process as she was among the elephants used for lumbering in Arunachal. Her untreated wounds and other injuries underscored the urgent need for this relocation. At Vantara, Laxmi and her companions now have access to advanced medical care and a natural environment, free from the burdens of their past lives.

The transportation of the wounded and abused elephants have been approved by the High Powered Committee (HPC) set up by the Tripura High Court and endorsed by the Supreme Court of India, adhered strictly to legal protocols under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the “Captive Elephants” (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024. The relocation followed extensive health checks and DNA profiling conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), ensuring the elephants’ fitness for transport.

Historically, elephants in Arunachal Pradesh were integral to timber operations, dragging heavy logs through challenging terrain. However, the Supreme Court’s 1996 ban on tree felling, combined with advances in mechanised transport, rendered their role obsolete. With the high costs of maintaining these animals and the decline in their utility, owners faced increasing challenges. The relocation effort was a response to this unsustainable situation, providing a sanctuary where the elephants could thrive.

The relocation effort involved a 200-strong team, including veterinarians, caretakers, and ambulance drivers. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, N. Tam, clarified that all legal approvals had been secured and debunked social media claims of 21 elephants being transported. Only 20 elephants were relocated, with full consent from their owners and the necessary approvals from both state forest departments.

At Vantara, managed by the Radhe Krishna Temple Welfare Trust and supported by the Reliance Group, the elephants will receive lifelong care. The trust also offers livelihood opportunities for mahouts and their families, integrating them into a system of compassionate and scientifically informed elephant management.

This operation underscores the pressing need for dedicated care facilities for captive elephants. Veterinary expert Sorang Tadap highlighted the importance of such efforts, noting that facilities like Vantara set a vital benchmark for ensuring the welfare of these animals.

This operation underscores the pressing need for dedicated care facilities for captive elephants. Veterinary expert Sorang Tadap highlighted the importance of such efforts, noting that facilities like Vantara set a vital benchmark for ensuring the welfare of these animals. He said, “Captive elephants often suffer from severe health issues, including injuries, arthritis, and psychological trauma due to harsh labor, training, and prolonged chaining. Many calves sustain deep leg injuries during training, while adults face ongoing risks from conflicts with wild bulls. There is an urgent need for dedicated hospital facilities offering round-the-clock care and physiotherapy, which our state currently lacks. It is encouraging to see facilities like Vantara providing advanced medical treatment and lifelong care for rescued elephants, setting a vital benchmark for their welfare.”

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