Bengaluru: Dhruva, a 32-year-old captive elephant housed at Karisiddheshwara Mutt in Alaknur village of Belagavi district’s Raibag taluk, died early Friday after a prolonged illness, amid allegations of neglect and inadequate treatment.The death came a day after Karnataka high court heard a petition seeking the rehabilitation of Dhruva and two other captive elephants in Belagavi and Kalaburagi districts. The Nov 12 hearing ended without interim directions for immediate intervention to improve Dhruva’s condition.Petitioner Govind GR, who works for captive-elephant rehabilitation, attributed the death to cruelty and delayed intervention by the mutt and forest department. He alleged that inhumane chaining, neglect of wounds and the conduct of the mahout and temple management had contributed to Dhruva’s deteriorating health.Govind said the death reflected systemic problems in managing captive elephants, particularly those kept by religious institutions. “While Dhruva’s death was mourned by villagers and political leaders alike, it is being treated as a tragic event. It is much more than that,” he said.Dhruva was brought to the mutt from Sakrebail elephant camp in 1996, when he was about 18 months old and had not completed his weaning period.The petition, filed in June 2025, has been heard 16 times, with several adjournments. It also seeks the rehabilitation of Padma, housed at Digambar Jain Ashram in Shedbal, Belagavi district, and Menaka, kept at Sri Guru Mahanteshwara Temple in Kadaganchi, Kalaburagi district. The state forest department’s principal conservator of forests is also a respondent.Govind said the court had ordered health examinations of the three elephants last year but had not subsequently reviewed their condition. It later directed the three institutions to file affidavits detailing the animals’ treatment and care.He alleged that photographs in an affidavit filed for Dhruva’s custodian showed violations of captive-elephant regulations. Concerns included elephants allegedly being forced to stand in their faeces and urine, and being used in private processions and religious events across states.Menaka was taken to Hyderabad Friday for the Gyarvi Sharif procession near Charminar. She went out of control during the procession but was restrained because her forelegs were chained together.The petition also alleges inadequate food and water, harmful chaining and shelters that do not comply with regulations requiring sloped mud flooring for drainage.Dhruva’s death has brought renewed focus on the monitoring of captive elephants, enforcement of welfare regulations and the responsibility of forest officials to ensure that institutions keeping the animals comply with the prescribed standards.
