Supreme Court Orders Elephant Clinics, Periodic Health Checks And Medical Records For Captive Elephants
New Delhi, August 18, 2026: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Union government to issue mandatory guidelines and coordinate with States to establish elephant clinics with specialised facilities for captive elephants. Owners will be required to take their elephants to these clinics for periodic health check-ups. The Court also directed that a medical record be maintained for every captive…
On August 18, 2026, the Supreme Court of India mandated that the government issue guidelines and collaborate with states to establish specialized clinics for captive elephants. Owners will be required to transport their elephants to these clinics for regular health check-ups. The Court also emphasized maintaining medical records for every captive elephant and ensuring regular treatment when necessary.
The directive covers over 2,700 captive elephants in India, with various establishments such as private owners, circuses, temples, forests departments, zoos, and rehabilitation centers. The focus is on the well-being of these elephants rather than their ownership.
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