70-year-old elephant was forced to parade streets during a festival in Sri Lanka. The elephant named Tikiri was malnourished, fragile and sadly, passed away.
Some people are very cruel to animals. They use them for their selfish needs, mostly for entertainment. Although animals don’t want to perform any painful and demeaning tricks, those who are held captive in a circus, have no choice. Trainers use abusive tools such as whips and electric prods, in order to make them perform.
The trainers usually beat animals. But they also suffer from loneliness, boredom, and frustration from being held in small cages or chained for months. In some countries, you can pay to ride animals such as elephants. In other countries, people make the animals’ stars of parades.
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For example, a 70-year-old elephant was forced to parade streets during a festival in Sri Lanka. The elephant named Tikiri couldn’t take it anymore and she died.
Her death was confirmed by Lek Chailert, the founder of Save Elephant Foundation (SEF), in an Instagram post. He wrote: “The sad news is just out tonight that Tikiri passed away this evening. There is both sorrow and relief here. To think of her brings such pain to my heart…”
Tikiri was one of the 60 elephants who were forced to be a part of the annual Esala Perahera festival held by a Buddhist Temple in Kandy. The festival lasts for ten days so tourists and locals can feel ‘blessed’.
When Chailert confirmed Tikiri’s death, he pointed out that the news brought both, sorrow and relief because her suffering has ended.
She added: “Tikiri’s suffering has ended, her soul is now free. No more harm can come to her. RIP dear Tikiri. Never look back to this world so cruel toward you and your friends.”
Earlier, there was a widespread backlash after Save Elephant Foundation (SEF) released images of Tikiri’s heavily weak body. Her owners used a parade costume to cover it. There are also pictures from the starved and fragile animal after she collapsed on the floor.
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Animal rights activists across the world were outraged after they found out that Tikiri’s malnourished and weak body was hidden underneath a colorful costume during the parades. Tikiri’s death broke the hearts of many people who are sad due to the tragic ending of the animal.
Chailert questioned the intention of the religious festival. She also reminded people that we shouldn’t celebrate any ceremonies that bring harm and suffering. There is nothing holy in the sorrow and tears of the poor animals.
