Field notes

Freedom in sight for Delhi's elephants

State government, animal rights groups say congested city is no place for them

A campaign is under way to retain the last few elephants in the Indian capital, but wildlife activists argue that the city is no place for elephants given its urban chaos.
Elephants near a bridge on the Yamuna River in Delhi. For decades, elephants have been a regular as well as popular sight on the river's bank. People come to worship them or interact with them at close quarters. Left: Owner of Dhaunmati the elephant,
Elephants near a bridge on the Yamuna River in Delhi. For decades, elephants have been a regular as well as popular sight on the river's bank. People come to worship them or interact with them at close quarters ST PHOTO: DEBARSHI DASGUPTA
Elephants near a bridge on the Yamuna River in Delhi. For decades, elephants have been a regular as well as popular sight on the river's bank. People come to worship them or interact with them at close quarters. Left: Owner of Dhaunmati the elephant,
Above: Owner of Dhaunmati the elephant, Mr Yusuf Ali, with his son Shakir. Mr Ali says he and Delhi's other elephant owners trace their ancestry back to families that maintained the animals for royals near the city. ST PHOTO: DEBARSHI DASGUPTA
Elephants near a bridge on the Yamuna River in Delhi. For decades, elephants have been a regular as well as popular sight on the river's bank. People come to worship them or interact with them at close quarters. Left: Owner of Dhaunmati the elephant,
Above: A chariot used for wedding processions outside a shelter where an elephant was housed until recently. ST PHOTOS: DEBARSHI DASGUPTA
Debarshi Dasgupta
India Correspondent
Updated
Jul 09, 2018, 06:22 AM
Published
Jul 07, 2018, 05:00 AM
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"Give her a good scrub," shouts the mahout. A bunch of children obey gladly, scrubbing the elephant nearly submerged in the Yamuna River.

It is a happy symbiotic relationship. The children take turns to use her back as a springboard, executing backflips with ease to frolic in the river. Chandni, the elephant, meanwhile, relishes the calming rub.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 07, 2018, with the headline Freedom in sight for Delhi's elephants. Subscribe

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