Vantara, an animal rescue and rehabilitation centre founded by Anant Ambani, is set to provide a permanent home for two cow elephants—18-year-old Bishnupriya and 26-year-old Lakshmipriya—from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Mayapur, near Kolkata. The transfer follows an incident in April last year when Bishnupriya fatally attacked her mahout, leading to concerns over the need for specialised care and a more suitable environment for their well-being.
The initiative, undertaken by Vantara in collaboration with ISKCON, has received approval from the high-powered committee constituted by the Tripura High Court and affirmed by the Supreme Court. This committee is responsible for rescuing and ensuring stress-free environments for wild animals in distress.
At Vantara, Bishnupriya and Lakshmipriya will be accommodated in a chain-free, naturalistic habitat designed to replicate their wild environment, according to a statement. They will receive expert veterinary care, psychological evaluations, and treatments based on positive reinforcement training, which focuses on trust-building through rewards and non-coercive methods. The elephants will also have access to enrichment activities, social bonding opportunities with other elephants, and compassionate care from trained professionals, ensuring their overall well-being.
ISKCON Mayapur has housed Lakshmipriya since 2007 and Bishnupriya since 2010, using them in temple rituals and festivals. Several animal protection organisations, including PETA India and World Animal Protection, advocated for their transfer to a recognised elephant care facility. PETA India had even proposed providing a mechanised elephant for temple rituals in exchange for their release to a rescue centre.
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‘Confident That Bishnupriya And Lakshmipriya Will Thrive At Vantara’: Senior ISKCON Temple Member
Hrimati Devi Dasi, a senior ISKCON temple member and manager for mahouts and elephants in Mayapur, emphasised the spiritual significance of compassionate treatment towards animals. She stated, “According to our beliefs in ISKCON, everyone is the same spiritual soul inside their outer shell, or material body. We do not make any distinction between species or castes. The different bodies may have different natures; however, the soul within each body is of a spiritual nature and deserves compassion and respect. By treating animals with kindness and respect, we express our devotion to Lord Krishna, who teaches us that true service lies in protecting and nurturing all living creatures.”
“Having visited Vantara myself, I could see that the same principles I believe in are followed there. I am confident that Bishnupriya and Lakshmipriya will thrive at Vantara, will soon make new friends, and will live a fulfilling life, experiencing the freedom and joy elephants enjoy in the wild,” she added.
Experts highlight that captivity causes severe psychological distress to elephants by depriving them of the freedom to roam and socialise, both critical aspects of their well-being. In confinement, elephants often develop behavioural disorders, including depression and aggression.
“At Vantara, the care of rescued elephants extends beyond their physical health, placing equal importance on their mental and emotional recovery. Expert veterinarians and animal psychologists conduct detailed psychological evaluations to identify and address trauma. Vantara’s state-of-the-art facilities, which includes the world’s largest elephant hospital, is designed to offer personalised mental health support through positive reinforcement training, stimulating enrichments, and opportunities for social interaction that mimic their natural environment,” the statement informed.
“This holistic approach ensures that rescued elephants not only regain their physical strength but also achieve emotional stability and mental well-being, embodying Vantara’s commitment to their full rejuvenation and improved quality of life,” it added.