Assam Vets Oppose Transportation of Elephants

The Veterinary Experts' Committee (VEC) on Wednesday, in an indirect indication, opposed the transport of four elephants from Tinsukia Assam to Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

The VEC in a report regarding the transport of the jumbos has clearly stated that elephants' body temperature is 37-degree centigrade and their comfort zone is 25-26 degree Celsius and that their transportation (by any means) to a hotter region may increase the possibility of heat strokes in elephants.

"Evolutionarily, elephants have a very weak thermoregulatory system owing to the presence of minimal sweat glands (only present above their toe-nails) and presence of intra-abdominal testicles which is otherwise external in case of most mammals," the report stated.

"Their body temperature is 37-degree centigrade and their comfort zone is 25-26 degree Celsius," the report further stated, adding, "The present weather conditions through which they are proposed to be transported is found to be very hot and thus there is every possibility of heat stroke of the elephants by any means of transport."

Regarding other modalities of transport, the VEC is of the view that regulations laid down by Directorate of Project Elephant, No. 9-5/2003-PE dated 8-1-08 and Central Zoo Authority (CZA) published in 2012 should be maintained.