Court grants ‘mercy killing’ for Salem temple elephant

According to a report in TNIE, the Madras High Court has granted permission for mercy killing for the 42-year-old temple elephant Rajeswari of Arulmigu Sugavaneswarar temple in Salem. The jumbo has been suffering from illness for over a month and a lifetime of deformity.

An animal lover filed a petition seeking permission for euthanasia for the jumbo, as it developed bed sores all over its body. According to experts, the average lifespan of captive elephants is 40 years.