Leading by Example: India’s Anti-Cruelty Robot Elephants

THRISSUR (India), March 4 — With flapping ears and a trunk that sprays water, this life-size mechanical elephant has been introduced as a humane alternative to using real elephants in Hindu temple ceremonies.

Made from fibreglass and rubber, the model moves on a wheeled metal frame sturdy enough to support a rider. It is among dozens of robotic elephants promoted by animal rights advocates to end the captivity and exploitation of these endangered animals in India.

Elephants have long been central to temple rituals, paraded before large crowds amid flashing lights, loud drums, and intense music—often leading to panic-induced attacks. “They are wild animals meant to live in forests,” said C.G. Prakash, 68, a former official at Kerala’s Chakkamparambu Bhagavathy temple. “Capturing and torturing them is completely unethical.” He played a key role in bringing a robotic elephant to his temple, donated by the Voice for Asian Elephants Society to support cruelty-free temple traditions.

Saving Elephants Through Innovation

PETA India reports that over 2,700 captive elephants suffer severe physical and psychological stress. Often isolated and chained for long hours, these social animals are deprived of their natural herd environment. Since 2023, PETA has funded more than a dozen robotic elephants, offering them to temples on the condition that real elephants be relocated to approved sanctuaries.

"Mechanical elephants allow traditions to continue while ensuring real elephants remain with their families in the wild," said PETA’s Khushboo Gupta.

These lifelike models are adorned with golden headdresses and flower garlands, mimicking the ceremonial appearance of real elephants. Some advanced versions, equipped with electric motors for head movements, rolling eyes, and swishing tails, can cost over US$5,500. Modelmaker Prasanth Prakasan, 42, initially created them as an art project but now sees them as a way to protect real elephants. His workshop has produced nearly 50 robotic elephants, with more in production.

A Safer, Ethical Alternative

Temple festivals involving elephants have seen frequent accidents, with panicked animals trampling crowds. In February alone, PETA recorded nine cases in Kerala where captive elephants lost control, resulting in five deaths. One tragic incident saw a startled elephant trigger a deadly stampede after being frightened by fireworks.

V.K. Venkitachalam of the Heritage Animal Task Force highlighted that many caretakers fail to follow proper welfare regulations. Although Kerala’s High Court issued guidelines for better treatment of captive elephants, the Supreme Court later stayed them, citing impracticality.

Growing Conservation Concerns

Fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants remain in the wild, with most in India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, these animals face habitat loss, human-elephant conflicts, and poaching.

In 2023-2024, 629 people were killed by wild elephants across India, while 121 elephants died—mostly due to electrocution, poaching, poisoning, and train accidents.

For animal rights activists, robotic elephants offer a sustainable and ethical solution that aligns with religious values. "This initiative honors ahimsa (non-violence), a core principle of Hinduism," Gupta told AFP.

Many temple-goers also welcome the change. "With real elephants, there’s always fear of them running amok," said 58-year-old teacher Jayasree Sivaraman Narayaneeya. "With robotic elephants, we feel much safer." — AFP