Top jumbo list taken off forest department site

ALAPPUZHA: The Kerala forest and wildlife department has removed from its website a list giving details of top 10 elephants that were presented as the tallest in the state. The move followed complaints by animal lovers who said such a list could lead to unhealthy competition among elephant owners.

“Based on the information provided on the website, many festival organizers thought that these 10 elephants had more demand at festivals,” said Heritage Animal Task Force secretary V K Venkitachalam, who had approached the forest department seeking the removal of the list. “As a result, many of these elephants had more booking during the festival season, creating hardships for these heritage animals.”

The height of these 10 elephants, based on which they were ranked, was not correct as these measurements were not taken scientifically, he said.

Additional principle chief conservator of forests Om Prakash Kaler confirmed they had removed the list following complaints from the animal lovers’ forum.