Sigiriya Police have said action will be taken against a mahout accused of brutally assaulting an elephant used for tourist safaris, after video of the incident circulated on social media.
The elephant, named Rani, is used to carry tourists in the Sigiriya area. The Animal Welfare Collective (AWC) said the video showed the mahout beating her while trying to force her to take visitors on a safari, the Daily Mirror reported.
A complaint was lodged with Sigiriya Police after the incident. According to the AWC, police confirmed receiving it and gave an assurance that the suspect would be arrested and produced before court.
What the group is asking for
The AWC used the case to press for tighter rules on the use of elephants in tourism. It called for:
- stricter government regulation of elephant safaris and of the use of elephants for tourism generally
- continuous monitoring of the animals’ healthcare, food, water and rest
- oversight of the conduct of handlers
- strict legal action against those responsible for cruelty
The group said the use of bullhooks and clubs to control elephants for tourism purposes was unacceptable, and warned that such treatment could damage Sri Lanka’s image as a tourist destination.
Not reported
The filing does not give the date of the incident or of the video, does not name the mahout or the safari operator, and does not say whether an arrest has in fact been made or whether the elephant has been examined or removed from service. It gives no comment from the Department of Wildlife Conservation, which regulates captive elephants, and none from the operator. No other verified newsroom had carried the case at the time of writing; the account of what police said reaches this desk through the AWC rather than directly from the police.