Elephants in Kerala 'should retire at 65'

Thiruvananthapuram: Elephants in Kerala should be nurtured with a fixed menu and should be considered as retired upon reaching the age of 65.

The animals should not be made to do any hard physical tasks after reaching retirement age. But they could be engaged in light jobs if a veterinary surgeon certifies their physical fitness.

These are just some of the rules disclosed by Kerala Forest Minister Binoy Viswam for the proper upkeep of captive elephants in the state. The rules were set following a recent hue and cry over the neglect and torture of the endangered animals.

The rules also insist elephants should not be marched on tarred roads during the summer. The maximum distance to be covered a day is 30 kilometres. They should be rested when in "musth" and use of heavy and sharp shackles should be avoided. The animals should also be kept at a safe distance from fireworks displays, Viswam said.

Biodiversity

He told the House that the state government was considering the creation of a "buffer zone" around Silent Valley evergreen national park to protect bio-diversity in the region.

Replying to a submission, he said the 148 sq km area in the Bhavani and Silent Valley ranges had been identified for the buffer zone.