INDIA:A month-long holiday camp for elephants has opened in southern India, where the animals will socialise over good food and soothe tempers ruffled by work-related stress under expert veterinary attention.
The rejuvenation treatment, which includes leisurely massages with softened coconut husk and oil baths, will ensure that the 64 pampered elephants from the Hindu Guruvayoor Temple in Kerala state put on between 200-250kg each, veterinarians at the Thrissur holiday camp 190km north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram said.
It will also calm them down ahead of a busy work schedule in upcoming religious festivals where they are the principal attraction.
"Their diet will include special rice, horse gram and turmeric," temple veterinary officer TCR Nambiar said. They will also be given a daily mixture of multivitamins, tonics and mineral and liver extracts.
The entire elephant "holiday" package will cost the temple authorities 800,000 rupees (€14,500), but additional funds are available should they be required.
"The temple looks after the elephants better than the government cares for its citizens," G Ajith, a temple visitor, said.
Hindus believe that propitiating Lord Ganesh, the elephant god, clears all obstacles and grants worshippers wisdom, prudence and power.
Consequently, owning elephants is a traditional symbol of prestige for temples across southern India, where they are frequently taken out in huge processions accompanied by raucous bands. Firecrackers are also burst at these gatherings, which tends to traumatise the elephants.
Elephants are also well looked after by the state. Those employed by the forest department in eastern Bengal receive a "pension" of food, shelter and healthcare on retiring at 65.
In nearby Uttar Pradesh, where the animals are used to clear forests, females are eligible for maternity leave of more than two years and are worked lightly once they report back for duty.