High Court Suspends Licenses for Capturing Young Asian Elephants in Bangladesh

The High Court has issued a suspension on all licenses for capturing young Asian elephants in Bangladesh. This ruling effectively halts the practice of taking these creatures into captivity, where they often face exploitation in activities such as begging, circuses, or street shows. The decision comes at a critical time when the population of Asian elephants in Bangladesh has dwindled to just about 200, with nearly half of them living in captivity. Once considered a major habitat for these elephants, Bangladesh has seen a drastic decline in their numbers due to poaching and habitat loss.

Before the forestry department issued licenses to logging groups and circus parties, allowing them to capture young elephants for various purposes, including hauling logs and performing tricks. However, the court found that this exploitation violated the terms of these licenses, prompting the suspension.

Rakibul Haque Emil, the head of the People for Animal Welfare (PAW) Foundation in Bangladesh, hailed the court’s decision as a “landmark order.” He highlighted the brutality involved in separating elephant calves from their mothers, shackling them, and subjecting them to months of torture in the name of training.

The legal case, spearheaded by PAW and supported by actor Jaya Ahsan, sheds light on the harsh realities faced by captive elephants in Bangladesh. Last year, a tragic incident where a young elephant was killed by a train while being used for begging on the streets brought renewed attention to the issue. These elephants, often painted in bright colors and forced to perform tricks, endure immense suffering at the hands of their captors. With the suspension of capturing licenses, there is hope for the rehabilitation of captive elephants and an end to the inhumane treatment they endure.

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