PETA India, Raju Shetti back Vantara’s proposal to build elephant rehabilitation centre for Madhuri

A controversy had erupted over the decision to shift the elephant from the Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sansthan Mutt in Kolhapur to the Vantara facility in Gujarat, a state-of-the-art animal rescue centre run by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation.

The Bombay High Court ordered the rehabilitation of the ailing elephant based on a petition by PETA. The Supreme Court had also upheld the HC decision.

Following the row, the Vantara had announced the setting up of India’s first state-of-the-art satellite elephant rehabilitation centre near Kolhapur in the Nandani area.

PETA India, through a press statement, said that Madhuri’s health must be treated as a priority above all else.
“Just as humans sometimes need hospitalisation, extensive care and retirement, so do elephants. She has grade-4 arthritis, painful foot rot, and displays stereotypical behaviour such as head-bobbing, a sign of severe mental distress in elephants and has claimed the life of Chief Swamiji before,” the release said.

The animal rights group said its sole concern is that Madhuri must get specialised veterinary care, a quiet, peaceful retirement and the company of other elephants for her well-being.

“And we would not oppose shifting her to Maharashtra if a similar facility is built here. The Supreme Court ensured that before, and we have faith that the top court would take steps to ensure that again if the matter was reconsidered.”

Welcoming Vantara’s proposal, former MP Raju Shetti has thanked Anant Ambani.

Stating the principle of his Jain community ‘jio aur jine do’ (live and let live), Shetty acknowledged the controversy had caused distress but expressed satisfaction with the proposed rehabilitation centre in Kolhapur that now awaits the court’s decision.