Supreme Court Issues Guidelines for Captive Elephant Welfare and Upkeep
The Supreme Court of India has issued a series of directives concerning the healthcare, upkeep, and well-being of captive elephants across the nation, emphasising that animals used in temples must be respected and treated as manifestations of divinity. A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana made it clear that the proceedings do not delve into religious rights or faith, but instead focus solely on ensuring best management practices across all holding institutions and owners.
What Happened
The hearing addressed the welfare conditions of captive elephants across India. During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, submitted an office memorandum dated February 25, 2026, prepared by the Captive Elephants Healthcare and Welfare Committee (CEHWC). The memorandum indicated that the captive elephant population in India has risen from 2,675 to 2,725. The data revealed that 1,678 captive elephants are held by private individuals, 768 by forest departments, 332 in rehabilitation centres, 96 by temples, 63 by zoos, and 47 by circuses.
Senior advocate Aparna Bhat, appearing for the petitioner NGO Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, contended that captive elephants endure mental and physical suffering during commercial and religious activities, alleging non-compliance with the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024. The petitioner also sought updates on DNA profiling uploaded to the Gaj Suchna mobile application database. However, the Bench expressed reservations regarding the NGO’s plea to halt bringing any new elephants into captivity. Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that calves are frequently abandoned, especially in the North-East, noting that an outright bar on taking in captive elephants may not be practical.
Appearing for temple managements in Kerala, Senior advocate K. Parameshwar submitted that captive elephants in the State are tagged, regularly tracked, and governed by strict health and welfare protocols, arguing that their participation in temple festivals forms an essential part of faith.
Key Highlights
- Focus on Animal Well-being: The Supreme Court underscored that its review is restricted to the health, upkeep, and management practices of captive elephants, without intruding into religious rights.
- Mandatory Specialized Clinics: The Union Government has been directed to coordinate with States to establish specialized elephant clinics where periodic medical evaluations will be compulsory for all captive elephant owners.
- Maintenance of Medical Files: Every captive elephant must have an individual medical record maintained systematically.
- Transport Documentation: The Bench ruled that no captive elephant may be transported without proper documentation under the governing rules, detailing complete particulars and the purpose of the movement.
- Field Manual and Advisories: The CEHWC reported decisions to distribute new DNA sampling kits, release a field manual titled ‘Principles of Captive Elephant Management’, and issue advisories on the measurement and trimming of tusks.
- Housing Standards: The CEHWC was instructed to establish minimum baseline standards for the housing and shelter of captive elephants.
Why This Matters
The directions place legal responsibility on authorities and custodians to prioritize the medical and living standards of captive elephants. By steering the matter strictly toward animal welfare, documentation, and veterinary infrastructure, the Court separated administrative welfare obligations from disputes over religious customs. The mandate requiring systematic medical records, standardized clinic checks, and comprehensive transport documentation directly addresses concerns regarding unaccounted transfers and inadequate care.
What to Watch Next
The Supreme Court ordered the CEHWC to submit an extensive action report, resolve outstanding issues, and promptly execute its decisions. Concurrently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change must provide a status report covering the progress of DNA profiling for all captive elephants across the country, encompassing individuals, institutions, and rehabilitation centres.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Supreme Court ban the use of elephants in temple festivals?
No. The Court clarified that it is not examining religious rights or the faith behind the presence of elephants in temples, focusing strictly on their healthcare, upkeep, and general well-being.
What did the government data reveal about captive elephant numbers?
According to the February 25, 2026 memorandum from the CEHWC, the count of captive elephants rose from 2,675 to 2,725. Private individuals hold the majority at 1,678, followed by forest departments at 768, rehabilitation centres at 332, temples at 96, zoos at 63, and circuses at 47.
What is the Gaj Suchna application?
The Gaj Suchna mobile application serves as a genetic database used to document and track the DNA profiling of captive elephants in India.
Source: Based on judicial proceedings and reporting from The Hindu.