Trichy: The forest department has asked owners not to use their elephants as money-minting machines and treat them with dignity. District forest officer D Sujatha said that the forest department will not hesitate to cancel the licence of elephant owners if they are found violating the norms.At a meeting of private elephant owners held in the city, they were told to strictly adhere to Tamil Nadu captive elephant management and maintenance act 2011 and treat them as their own family members.The meeting was conducted in the backdrop of the death of 59-year-old elephant Gulabi on Sunday while being transported on a truck back to the city from Pollachi, where it was taken to be part of the gaja puja of a wedding ceremony.The meeting was also attended by managers of elephants in three of the city temples. Private elephant owners were asked to provide facilities at par with temple elephants.Wildlife act does not permit domestication of wild animals. Since the practise of elephant domestication has been followed for long, it is allowed after laying certain rules to ensure its proper maintenance.Elephant owners have been asked to get medical certificate for transporting elephants, only from a government veterinarian. It was found that all the elephant owners were getting medical certificate from a private doctor.Gulabi stumbled and fell while getting down from the truck over improper arrangements made at Pollachi. Citing this incident, the owners were asked to ensure proper arrangements by creating a gentle slope to facilitate comfortable egress of the elephant from the truck.Elephant should not be taken by foot for over 30 km and should be given a rest for a minimum of 12 hours after travelling long distances. Owners were asked to appoint one mahout instead of frequently changing them in short periods.“As per the act, a separate register must be maintained for the elephant with details on its routine - exercise, food intake, weight and other details. But not many of the owners have been religiously following it,” said a range officer attached to Trichy forest. They were asked to strictly maintain the register.

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