Madurai Temple Elephant is Dying
If it was the same elephant I encoutered in Madurai temple - it would explain a lot.
Temple elephants are normally very chilled out - they get treated really well and pampered - but this one had anger in its eyes that made me not want to go near it ...
From The Hindu - All-out effort to save temple elephant
MADURAI: Veterinarians are battling to save `Angayarkanni,' a 41-year-old female elephant of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, which took ill on Tuesday.The elephant, which has served the temple for over three decades, is lying on its side for the last two days and not eating properly.
It has been suffering from arthritis for the last 10 years and is suspected to have been afflicted with anchylosis of the forelimbs and foot rot.
A mechanised crane has been deployed to help the elephant to her feet, as lying continuously will hinder blood flow.
Like I said - temple elephants in India are pampered beasts - I watched the temple elephant at Hampi be washed and it was quite obvious that the elephant enjoyed it as much as the elephant handlers and the tourists ....
Elephants are very intelligent creatures - which is why I only approach one that I feel comfortable with - but I never felt comfortable with.the Madurai elephant.
Tags: madurai, temple elephant, hindusim, ganesh