Mwakpo elephant, merụrụ ndị njem nlegharị anya n'oge India Joy Ride

A female elephant, named Gouri, used for tourist joy rides in Rajasthan, India, attacked a visitor from Russia, picking her up and violently slamming her on the ground outside Amer Fort, breaking her leg. The incident was first reported by animal rights group PETA.

The pro-animal rights group shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) today. The video displayed surveillance camera footage of the incident and drew attention to the animal’s distress. PETA claimed in their post that the elephant experienced frustration as a result of enduring a lifetime of enslavement, causing mental trauma.

According to PETA activists, the same animal attacked a storekeeper in 2022 near the fort, causing injuries to his ribs and one of his legs. The elephant has been utilized for tourist rides in Rajasthan for over two decades.

PETA has sent letters to state officials, including the deputy chief minister, urging for the relocation of the elephant to a sanctuary. The aim is to provide her with an opportunity to heal from the mental distress caused by years of being enslaved.

The government-sanctioned commission’s recommendation has led to renewed demands for the substitution of elephant rides with environmentally friendly motorized vehicles.

The latest incident is not an isolated event. Seven years ago, a different elephant named Malti, who was employed for tourist transportation at Amer Fort, was subjected to physical abuse and beating by its caretakers following a confrontation with another elephant. Animal rights activists linked this incident to significant psychological distress experienced by the elephant. A video capturing the elephant being encircled and struck with sticks gained widespread attention on social media platforms.

According to local media reports, despite the Rajasthan Forest Department retiring 20 medically unfit elephants at Amer Fort in 2020, the elephant was still utilized for rides until last year.

In February of last year, during a press conference, PETA reported that Malti exhibited indications of significant psychological anguish, prompting them to request the involvement of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Six years ago, a study commissioned by the Animal Welfare Board of India discovered that out of the 102 elephants utilized for tourist rides at Amer Fort, 19 were completely or partially blind, and an additional nine were afflicted with tuberculosis. Nearly all of the animals were observed to be experiencing physical ailments.

Citing the same report, PETA said that Gouri, who attacked the woman earlier this month, has been kept in Rajasthan illegally without an ownership certificate.

PETA reported that Gouri, the elephant that assaulted the woman, has been unlawfully detained in Rajasthan without an official ownership certificate, according to the aforementioned report.