Palakkad: The restrictions imposed during the spread of COVID has affected the captive elephants in Kerala too due to lack of exercises like daily walking, Veterinary experts opined.
As many as 25 domesticated elephants within eleven months in this year had died across the state so far.
Ten captive elephants died in Thrissur and Palakkad districts in 2021 alone.
The last death reported was Mangalamkunnu Rajan (59), popularly known as Tintu mon, on the last day at Sreekrishnapuram in Palakkad.
The average lifespan of an elephant is 70 to 80 years but in the last two years most of the captive elephants died at the age of around 60, says experts quoting the deaths of Gajarajan Mangalakunnu Karnan died at the age of 62, Manissery Raghuram died at 52 and Guruvayoor senior Kesvan at 58 years.
According to Veterinary doctor P B Giridas, "exercises like daily walking is must for the elephant like human beings to keep immunity power but COVID restrictions reduced the number of festivals and ceremonies in temples, churches and mosques in the State which caused the elephants to remain tied at certain places.
Only a few elephants engaged in works at timber yards got regular exercises.
Most captive elephants recently died in Kerala were suffering from various illnesses including digestive issues.
Most of the captive elephants in Kerala are owned by the temples or individuals with large numbers in Gurvayoor Sree Krishna temple and Mangalamkunnu Aana Tharavadu (family).
An NGO working for the welfare of elephants in the state alleged that on an average, 20 captive elephants die every year.
According to Kerala captive elephant census held on November 30, 2018 there was only 519 domesticated elephants in Kerala and 20 deaths reported in 2019 and 2020.
At present the total captive elephant number in Kerala reduced to 453. (UNI)
