Hypocrisy and secrecy of the Assam government Wildlife experts and welfare groups are raising serious questions over the transfer of five elephants to Tamil Nadu. Assam deserves answers: 1. Were five elephants from Assam donated, purchased, or otherwise acquired? If money changed hands, how much, and who paid whom? 2. Who initiated the process, and how were these five elephants selected? 3. If the owners could not care for them, why send them 3,000 km away? Can Assam not care for its own elephants? 4. Durga and Bijuli are around five years old. Who are their mothers, and what documented chain of custody establishes their lawful provenance? 5. The Assam government told the Court all clearances had been obtained. Where are they? Did the High-Powered Committee examine the transfers? 6. Madurai’s facility was reportedly inspected on the same day the transfer was recommended. Was there sufficient scrutiny? 7. Were all prescribed veterinary and welfare safeguards followed during transit? 8. Following the allegations of abuse involving Joymala, have we learnt nothing? Elephants are woven into Assam’s culture and heritage. Their movement out of the state must not be shrouded in unanswered questions. Bring the five elephants back. Make all records public: ownership, age, provenance, permits, clearances, approvals, and payments.

Assam’s elephants need to be in Assam in their natural habitat and eco-system with their family.