 "Representational Image.")
In a landmark decision, Bangladesh’s High Court has issued a sweeping ban on the adoption of critically endangered wild elephants, aiming to safeguard them from exploitation and abuse.
The ruling, welcomed by animal rights advocates, suspends all licenses previously issued for capturing young Asian elephants, thereby preventing their use in activities such as begging, circuses, and street performances.
With only around 200 wild elephants left in Bangladesh, half of which are in captivity, the court’s decision comes as a crucial step towards preserving the dwindling population.
Historically a habitat for Asian elephants, Bangladesh has witnessed a sharp decline in their numbers due to poaching and habitat destruction.
Under the previous system, young elephants were taken into captivity under licenses issued by the forestry department, often ending up in logging operations or circus acts. However, such practices violated the terms of the licenses, prompting the court’s intervention.
Rakibul Haque Emil, leader of the animal rights group People for Animal Welfare (PAW) Foundation in Bangladesh, hailed the court’s order as a significant milestone, condemning the brutal separation and mistreatment of elephant calves for entertainment purposes.
The legal battle was initiated by actor Jaya Ahsan in collaboration with PAW, aiming to end the inhumane training methods inflicted on captive elephants.
Recent incidents, including the tragic death of a young elephant hit by a train while begging on the streets, have drawn attention to the plight of these animals, often subjected to cruelty and exploitation for human entertainment.