Zoo director refutes elephant twins abuse, says video edited to mislead people

Says rumours of elephant circuses restarting at the Dehiwala Zoo also false

National Zoological Gardens Director General – who is now on a two-week hiatus from her new post – has hit back at claims that a video of elephants – including twin calves – allegedly being forced into the water in Pinnawala on January 6 amounted to abuse and exploitation. "This video has been edited to mislead people,” Shermila Rajapaksha said. Elephants require two to three hours of hydrotherapy a day, she said. And before they were taken into the river, a pit had been built for the calves to adjust to the water. The elephants were not dragged into the river. The mother had led them there, she insisted: “If we force the mother, she would attack us.”

As for tugging the elephant’s ear, also seen in the video, Ms Rajapaksha said the mother had tried to go towards a nearby hotel and the keeper pulled on her ear to make her turn. Similar techniques are used in horse-riding. “The elephants weren’t chained, and the mahouts took bull hooks only for protection but did not use them,” she continued, insisting it was an achievement on their part.

The video was live- streamed on Facebook to zoos across the world to raise funds for welfare, Ms Rajapaksha claimed. Pinnawala, established in 1974, is an elephant conservation centre, she said, emphasising that elephant welfare was their highest concern.

In response to singer Cher’s scathing tweet on the incident, Ms Rajapaksha has invited the global star to Sri Lanka using the hashtag #invitechertosl, to learn more about elephants and to extend her support to Sri Lanka’s efforts for their welfare.

To tackle the human-elephant conflict, a 1,500km electric fence costing an estimated Rs 1.5bn was required, she said. Separately, a 17- acre land has been acquired in Pinnawala to build bullpen facilities for elephants who are in musth. There are presently no facilities to let them loose, necessitating them to be chained. Around Rs 250 million is required for construction. Ms Rajapaksha hopes that, with Cher’s support, funds can be raised for this and other facilities.

Rumours of elephant circuses restarting at the Dehiwala Zoo were false, Ms Rajapaksha also said. What was envisaged is an educational programme known as the ‘Elephant Meet and Greet’, accredited to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums ( WAZA), an international body that ensures the adherence to international standards. The Dehiwala Zoo is a member of WAZA. The programme focuses on aspects like physicality, habitats and even consumption patterns of elephants. But the plan was suspended owing to Covid-19.

Educational awareness programmes have been proposed for the public "to combat misinformation". They include interactive discussions with experts to raise awareness about the art of communication with elephants and other animals. These will also be taken forward via television channels and art and quiz competitions. Keepers too will share their experiences.