In a case of brutality against animals, Ballu Khan, a Jaipur resident, has been accused of separating a six-year-old baby elephant "Suman" from her mother and locking her in a concrete room. According to a report by wildlife SOS (an NGO involved in rescuing wild animals), Khan often beats elephants mercilessly with an axe, and has even burnt the delicate foot pads of the mother of this baby elephant.
It has been found by the wildlife SOS that Khan purchased elephants with large cash transactions and the source of his income is not known. Baby elephant Suman was separated from her mother Chanda who is also in captivity of Khan as she is forced to give rides to tourists at famous Amer Fort in scorching heat of Jaipur. Suman's father, Bijli, too has been employed by Khan in Jaipur. The barbaric cruelty and pain inflicted on these elephants, has gone unpunished in our country," the wildlife SOS wildlife rescue team official said.
Incidentally, according to a report with wildlife SOS, all three elephants were purchased by Khan from Moonlight Circus and brought to Rajasthan without proper documents as mandated by law under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
"Khan has violated Wildlife Protection Act 1972 Act, a serious and punishable offence,” said a wildlife activist of team wildlife SOS, adding, "He successfully evades Income Tax authorities as well as earns lucratively from his illegal trafficking business.Khan has received large cash payments for using the baby elephant in a TV series, where she was exploited and the law was violated, and gets away with everything and expands his evil business."
It is important to mention here that Animal Welfare Board has objected to Khan's wicked act. "Yes, the TV series was taken off immediately when AWB objected," wildlife SOS official said.
It may be recalled, a documentary titled "Where The Elephant Sleeps", directed by Kornetzsky showed ill-treatment to elephants. Meanwhile, wildlife SOS has launched a global campaign to draw attention to this young elephant's plight.
"Around 35,000 people have put signatures on a request and a proposal to rescue this small baby elephant addressed to Rajasthan authorities to take action against the offenders," said wildlife SOS official.
Explaining the pangs of separation of Suman from her family, the wildlife official said, "She (Suman) is in serious trauma and is seen continuously bobbing her head in distress. This stereotypic behaviour indicates the harsh conditions she has been kept in."
"Ignoring this legitimizes poaching elephants from the wild for captivity. Elephants are India's heritage animal and protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Illegal sale, purchase, possession and trafficking of elephants is a non bailable offence punishable with upto 7 years jail sentence," the official said.
"It is imperative that Suman be rescued along with her mother Chanda and father Bijli by the forest department and reunited with her sister Peanut and the rest of her family who are leading a happy life at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation & Care Centre, Mathura," wildlife SOS official added.