PETA India said mechanical elephants, which can move their heads, ears, eyes, trunks, and tails, are mounted on wheeled bases and can carry ceremonial idols during processions and rituals. | Photo Credit: File Photo
A day after an elephant ran amok during the Shivamogga Dasara procession, reportedly injuring its mahout and damaging vehicles, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has offered to help provide a fleet of life-size mechanical elephants, requesting the State government to replace live elephants at Dasara celebrations across Karnataka.
In a letter to Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy, PETA India requested the State government to make this the last Dasara to feature live elephants and send captive elephants to sanctuaries where they can live unchained. “Mechanical elephants, which can move their heads, ears, eyes, trunks, and tails, are mounted on wheeled bases and can carry ceremonial idols during processions and rituals, offering an alternative to the use of live animals,” PETA India suggested.
The request came after the Jamboo Savari procession, held as part of the Dasara celebrations in Shivamogga on Wednesday, witnessed scary scenes when the elephant carrying the howdah ran helter-skelter within minutes of the procession kicking off.
The incident is the latest episode, with similar incidents reported during Dasara celebrations and at elephant camps in the State.
In October 2021, elephant Gopalaswamy panicked during the Srirangapatna Dasara after being startled by firecrackers. This had prompted organisers to cancel the elephant procession, and the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari was instead carried on a silver chariot.
In September 2024, elephants Dhananjaya and Kanjan fought inside the palace grounds in Mysuru, sending Kanjan fleeing onto a busy road as onlookers ran for safety. Earlier this year, Kanjan fought with another captive elephant, Marthanda, at Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu. A woman tourist was crushed to death in the confrontation, while Marthanda died of his injuries the following day.
PETA India Vice-President of Policy Khushboo Gupta said Dasara’s message of the triumph of good over evil should extend to the treatment of animals. “No elephant should be made to suffer or put people’s lives at risk in the name of celebration, especially now that mechanical elephants exist,” she said, adding that the organisation was ready to help the State make the transition.
The request comes after Karnataka got its 11th mechanical elephant facilitated by PETA India and Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA). Named Shivayogiswara, the life-size mechanical elephant was donated to DMS Chandravana Ashrama in Mandya and unveiled on Wednesday.
Published - October 22, 2026 07:34 pm IST