Tamil Nadu got its first ‘robotic’ temple elephant, on February 4, 2024. The elephant was handed over to the Shivan Temple in Devarshola in Gudalur by an NGO, Voices for Asian Elephants.
Also Read: Sacred and shackled: Tamil Nadu’s temple elephants
These robotic elephants have been donated to temples across Kerala to end the often-criticised practice of maintaining elephants in captivity at temples, often in unhealthy, inhumane conditions.
The 11-feet-tall robotic elephant weighs around 800 kilograms. The robotic elephants will ensure that the culture of the country is still maintained, while also not tormenting elephants by keeping them in captivity.
Reporting: Rohan Premkumar
Script and voiceover: Lalitha Ranjani
Video and photos: M. Sathyamoorthy, S. Shiva Raj
Production: S. Shiva Raj
