New Delhi: A group of more than 50 animal welfare and wildlife organisations from across India have written to Tamil Nadu chief minister C. Joseph Vijay, demanding an independent inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or high-level fact-finding committee into the transfer of five young elephants from Assam to Tamil Nadu temples, terming it an “illegal trade” disguised as “gift” or “donation”. One of them has since also taken up the issue with Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, but to no avail so far.The letter comes in light of five young elephants – identified as Durga, Rupsing, Shiva, Hiralal and Bijuli – being reportedly transferred from the wild in Assam to different temples in Tamil Nadu in September. The signatories, in a letter dated October 1, alleged that during the transfer, which was about 3,000 kilometres in under nine days, the elephants underwent cruelty. “Photos and videos show them chained, dragged by the ears and by a rope through an ear-hole, and mounted and driven with sticks,” they alleged.They also have raised concern on receiving information about six more baby elephants being readied to be transported to Tamil Nadu from Assam.In a separate letter on October 5, one of the signatories and Centre for Research on Animal Rights founder, Alok Hisarwala Gupta, wrote to Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, requesting an immediate moratorium on elephant transfers from the Northeast, and an independent inquiry into their origins and financing. He highlighted the Schedule 1 protection for elephants under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which prohibits commercial sales and unauthorised capture.“These safeguards are designed to prevent wild-caught elephants from entering private ownership through transfer approvals. But they are failing,” he said.Meanwhile, the signatories have alleged that the elephants appear to be wild-caught, which is also in violation of the Tamil Nadu Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2011. They have demanded the government to ensure that no elephant is used for rituals, processions or work.Read the full letter:MOST URGENT 1st October, Chennai To: Hon’ble Thiru C. Joseph Vijay Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600009. Email: Subject: Joint appeal to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or high-level fact-finding committee into the transfer of five young elephants from Assam to Tamil Nadu temples Respected Chief Minister, We, the undersigned animal welfare and wildlife organisations from across India, write with deep concern about the recent transfer of five young elephants (Durga, Rupsing, Shiva, Hiralal and Bijuli) from Assam to temples in Tamil Nadu. This was not a routine transfer. The record raises serious questions that only an independent inquiry can answer: Trade in the guise of a gift. Elephants cannot be traded, yet illegal trade disguised as “gift” or “donation” is repeatedly reported, especially from Assam. A 2020 MoEF letter confirms elephants cannot be gifted or sold, and media reports describe these transfers as purchases arranged through private intermediaries. Doubtful paperwork. Ownership Certificates for three of the elephants were issued only in October–November 2025, years after their recorded dates of birth. Rupsing’s certificate is about seven years old, though renewal is due every five years. Signs of wild capture. Several elephants show pierced ear-holes, a marking method associated with wild-caught calves in Assam. Cruelty in transit. The elephants were moved about 3,000 km in under nine days. Photos and videos show them chained, dragged by the ears and by a rope through an ear-hole, and mounted and driven with sticks. Rule violations. The elephants appear to stand well under 6 feet. Under Rule 20 of the Tamil Nadu Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2011, elephants of that height cannot be made to work, yet they are meant for temple rituals and processions. None of them has a Performing Animal Registration Certificate. And many more violations. Tamil Nadu has already lost too many temple elephants to neglect and stress. Subbulakshmi died chained in a burning shed in 2024, and the Madras High Court has repeatedly warned against acquiring more captive elephants. We cannot afford to import a new set of young animals into the same system. We are told that six more baby elephants are ready to be transported to Tamil Nadu from Assam soon. At a time when Tamil Nadu and India are advancing towards technology and AI, such a transfer portrays the State and the country in a poor light before the world. We therefore kindly urge you to: Constitute an SIT or independent fact-finding committee with forest, police and independent wildlife and veterinary experts, and a fixed timeline for its report. Direct an immediate independent veterinary and age/height assessment of all five elephants, and a review of their Ownership Certificates, NOCs and transport records. Ensure that no elephant is used for rituals, processions or work until the inquiry is complete. • Fix accountability on everyone found to have facilitated or profited from the transfer. The Government’s action on this matter will show whether Tamil Nadu will uphold the law, and the welfare of these young elephants, over convenience and influence. In this regard, we are available for further discussion at Mobile: 9884071136 and Email: peopleforcattleinindia@gmail.com Yours sincerely, The undersigned organisations (Please see signature pages that follow)Annexures: North East Now article, ‘Five Assam elephants reach Tamil Nadu temples amid purchase, ownership questions’, 26.09.2026. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)‘s study, ‘Study on Illegal Sale and Transfer of Live Elephants from Assam’. Tamil Nadu PCCF has said in letter on MoEF that Gifting of Elephants is Prohibited. 17.07.2020. • Videos of these elephants are available here. Co-signatories: The following NGOs are co-signing this Joint letter to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu seeking an SIT / fact-finding committee on the transfer of five elephants from Assam.No. Organisation & State Name of Signing Authority. 1People for Cattle in India (PFCI). Tamil Nadu. Mr. Arun Prasanna. G.2Blue Cross of India. Tamil Nadu. Dr. Chinny Krishna.3Humane Animal Society (HAS). Tamil Nadu.Dr. Mini Vasudevan.4Walking Eye Foundation for Animal Advocacy. Kerala. Dr. Vivek.5 Green Manas. Assam. Mr. Niranjan Barman.6 WARCO. Karnataka. Mr. Karthick.7Heritage Animals Task Force. Kerala. Mr. Venkatachalam.8Wildlife Rescue & Rehab Centra. Karnataka.Ms. Suparna Ganguly.9South Bangalore Cares. Karnataka.Ms. Manjari Chaitanya.10 Praana Animal Foundation. Karnataka.Ms. Samyukta Hornad.11 We Save Animals Welfare Trust. Karnataka.Ms. Apoorva. K N.12 Birds of Paradise Foundation. Karnataka.Mr. Karthik Prabhu.No. Organisation & State Name of Signing Authority. 13 Saibaba Memorial Animals Rescue Trust. Tamil Nadu.Ms. Sunitha Christy.14 IRVINE AES. Assam. Mr. Esmile Kerketta.15 Madras Animal Rescue Society. Tamil Nadu.Ms. Sarah Iyer.16 Jeev Raksha Animal Welfare Trust. Maharashtra.Mr. Santosh Shrike.17 Janice Smith Animal Welfare Trust. Maharashtra.Mr. Pramod Gaikwad.18 Happy Animals Association. Maharashtra.Mr. Manoj Oswal.19 Oneness, Karnataka. Ms. Ashwini Shanker.20 Mylos Foundation. Karnataka.Ms. Lakshmi Swaminathan.21Animal Liberation Now. Chennai. Mr. Samaran.22 Voice Of Voiceless. Tamil Nadu. Ms. Satheesh Kumar.23 Let’s Live Together Charitable Trust, Karnataka.Mr. Anchali Pani.24 Help for Animals Society. Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Tejovanth Anupoju.25 Animal Lives Are Important. Karnataka.Mr. Sajesh. S.26 CJ Memorial Trust. Karnataka. Ms. Priya Cherry Rajagopal.27 Centre for Research on Animal Rights. Goa.Mr. Alok Hisarwala Gupta.28 CARE, Karnataka. Ms. Sudha Narayanan.29 Saha Arthin, Karnataka. Ms. Sadhna Hegde.No. Organisation & State Name of Signing Authority. 30 People For Animals Mysore, Karnataka.Ms. Savitha Nagabhushan.31 Aastha Animal Hospital Foundation, Haryana.Mr. Ravi Dubey.32 Sarvodaya Sevabhavi Samstha. Karnataka.Dr. Akshay Prakash.33 Sarvodaya Truth. Karnataka.Dr. Akshay Prakash.34 Vanam Trust. Tamil Nadu. Mr. Vanam Chandrasekar.35 Yaamie Foundation. Tamil Nadu.Ms. Thanusri.36 PFA Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Ms. Vasanthi Vadi.37 All Creatures Great & Small. Karnataka.Ms. Anjali Gopalan.38 Heaven For Animals. Tamil Nadu.Mr. Prakashganth.39 United Conservation Movement. Tamil Nadu.Mr. Vijay Krishnaraj.40 Visaka SPCA. Andhra Pradesh.Mr. Pradeep Kumar Nanth.41 Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC). Maharashtra. Ms. Diana Ratnagar.42 Bark India Charitable Trust. Puducherry. Mr. Solairajan.43 SAGE Foundation. Puducherry. Ms. Sagnik Sengupta.44Arudra for Animals & Environment Foundation. Puducherry.Mr. Hanumantha Rao.45 United Conservation Movement. Karnataka.Mr. Joseph Hoover.No. Organisation & State Name of Signing Authority. 46 AASRA. Andhra Pradesh.Ms. Gowri Vandana.47 Breath Animal Rescue Home. Andhra Pradesh.Ms. Vikas Kotwal.48 Environment Conservation Group. Tamil Nadu.Mr. Mohammed Saleem.49 Sanghamitra Animal Foundation. Andhra Pradesh.Ms. Ravi Keerthi Pisupati.50 Bhairawa Animal Welfare Trust. Tamil Nadu.Ms. Nisha Singh.51 Holy Mariam Animal Shelter Foundation Trust. Tamil Nadu.Ms. Kavitha Mary Bharath.52 Animal Care Trust. Tamil Nadu. Ms. Kala Gubendran.53 PFA Bengaluru. Karnataka.Col. Dr. Navaz Shariff.