Elephants in Kerala get identity cards

Kochi: Elephants in Kerala are going hi-tech with the implantation of exclusive 10-digit microchip identity cards in their bodies for research purposes.

Around 100 elephants have been implanted with the microchips and the procedure will be followed at various camps organised in different areas of Kerala state.

The programme is being implemented to ensure proper upkeep of the jumbos by their owners and mahouts.

According to Dr E.K. Eshwaran, Chief Veterinary Surgeon at the Kerala Forest Department, it is similar to a registered vehicle number, which can never be changed.

"Like a vehicle is registered and issued a certificate, the same is being done on elephants by giving them a 10 digit code number which cannot be changed," he said.

"At the same time we are also maintaining a record of its habits, nature and character after inquiring from their owners, mahouts and non-government organisations, which will help us in future to gather more information on elephants in Kerala," he added.

After giving the code number, a duplicate copy will be handed over to the owner of the elephant. The drive, under which most of the captive elephants in Kerala will be covered, is a part of Project Elephant, funded by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The Forest Department is being aided by Elephant Care, a Kerala based voluntary organisation.

It has already implanted electronic identity cards in the form of microchips on nine captive elephants in the district of Ernakulam.