In 2019, pictures of a very thin elephant involved in a parade in Sri Lanka upset many people across the world. But what most people don’t know is what took place in the wake of the petition being signed.
When these photographs of the weak and dying elephant appeared in the media six years back, many across the globe were deeply disturbed. Since Tikiiri’s protruding ribs would have been seen at the festival, the organizers forced her to wear a lion costume.
She was one of 60 elephants who were forced to walk miles every evening even though she was very weak. Alongside the starving elephant, the circus would involve dancers, jugglers, fire-breathers and musicians.
Thousands of people found out about the terrible images and signed a petition to encourage changes.
For World Elephant Day, Save the Elephant Foundation posted the images and a petition to save a baby elephant gained the attention of thousands.
Daily at the same time between dusk and midnight for ten nights row, with live music, loud bangs of fireworks, and smoke all around, the petition pointed out.
She travels a great distance every night so that blessings come during the ceremony.
It continues that nobody can notice the tears hidden by the sparkling lights or her struggle to move with shortened legs while wearing her costume.
If we make lives suffer by holding the festival, how can we call it something sacred or fortunate?
The petition received more than 100,000 signatures and plenty of comments from angry animal lovers. Someone who signed the law added: “Every form of animal cruelty is unacceptable.” This amount of harshness is truly unacceptable. I wish that the elephant can be rescued.
The petition also said that former Prime President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, should request that this cruel treatment of elephants end.
Because of public uproar, Tikiiri was returned to her owner in Rambukkana, but she never got strong again.
After being put on display at the age of 70 despite her bad health, the elephant passed away in late September 2019.
Metro.co.uk reported that Tikiiri’s owner said the pet died in the afternoon on Tuesday, and a vet would do a post-mortem exam on Wednesday.
A source said that she lived as a slave throughout her life.
The Save Elephant Foundation made this comment in a statement.
It’s very sad to announce that Tikiri passed away this evening. There are feelings of sadness as well as comfort here. Any thoughts of her fills my heart with pain. The difficulty she experienced movie shows me the need to help others who are still experiencing hardship.
The fact that we were not able to help her in time strengthens us, and makes it our duty to find safe places for all the captive Giants subjected by Man. Just having a few days of care and fun for Tikiri, we will hope that others experience the same as well.
When I saw Tikiri’s eyes for the first time, she was saying everything I wanted to hear. Because of her fear, anger, and sadness, we should have no emotion for the race that she also belongs to.
Tikiri is no longer in pain, her spirit has now been released. There is no risk to her anymore.
Goodbye my friend, Tikiri. Look no more to this place that was so harsh to you and your friends.
Humans. We are the biggest threat to the earth. We are capable of doing things that are both extensive and cruel. If animals could communicate with us, our pain and sadness would everyone. With a voice to represent it, nature would probably condemn us.