The emaciated body of a starving old elephant was hidden behind a party costume
This hungry 70-year-old elephant is compelled to stroll many kilometers each day so
that humans will receive a “favour” at a religious ceremony.
An aged elephant named Tikiri is dressed up in the bright cloths so that the participants
in the festival do not notice her emaciated figure.
Lek Chilelert, who established the Save Elephant Foundation, says Tikiri is one of 60
elephants that have been impelled to participate in the Esala Perahera parade in Kandy,
Sri Lanka for more than a week in a row.
As she states, the animals are «hobbled» so that they walk more slowly in the noisy
chaos of the evening procession.
Chilert, who is dedicated to saving elephants in Thailand, wrote that “nobody discerns
tears” in Tikiri’s face.
What do you think: should such traditions be banned?
