Elephants in Indian religious festivals: An ethical analysis of tradition, welfare and conservation

The use of elephants in religious festivals represents a very complicated problem involving the cultural heritage, religious devotion, animal welfare and wildlife conservation. This study looks at the ethical implications of using Asian elephants in Hindu temple festivals. It primarily focuses on the conflict between established traditions and the welfare of animals. The thesis begins with highlighting the importance of elephants in Hinduism and the symbolisms associated with it such as wisdom, strength, prosperity, divinity and royalty. The deity Ganesha is often depicted with an elephant's head. Next we examine the role of elephants in temple festivals and various rituals in different parts of India. We consider how these traditions have changed and how societal perception has evolved over time. We also look at how elephants are tamed, trained and managed in captivity. We then look at how captivity impacts the wellbeing of elephants, both physically and psychologically. These problems include stress, abnormal behaviors, suboptimal living conditions and mistreatment. The primary focus of the study is evaluating the intricacies of welfare, conservation and tradition through the lenses of utilitarianism, animal rights theory, animal welfare ethics, ecocentrism and cultural relativism. Finally we look at this issue from the perspectives of conservation biology and legal frameworks. We consider the status of the elephant as a species, the laws that protect wildlife and different ethical viewpoints. By looking at the conflict between traditions and our moral obligations to animals we argue that while elephants are very important in religion and culture, their use in festivals raises serious ethical concerns. We think that traditional practices need to be re-evaluated. The utilization of elephants in festivals must adapt to ensure the welfare and conservation of elephants.