SC asks Centre to ensure well-being of captive elephants

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to take measures for ensuring the well-being of captive elephants in India, citing the need for regular medical check-ups and constant monitoring. The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, emphasized the importance of implementing checks and balances to prevent cruelty towards these animals.

The Captive Elephant Healthcare and Welfare Committee (CEHWC), established by the Centre under Project Elephant, has been entrusted with the task of consulting with states and setting up elephant clinics. The court instructed the Centre and CEHWC to establish a transparent system for regular medical examinations of captive elephants and maintain accurate medical records for each individual.

Furthermore, the committee is responsible for establishing minimum standards for the housing and care of these elephants. The court also directed the establishment of guidelines to prevent unauthorized ownership, transfer, or transportation of captive elephants, with the requirement of proper documentation of the transfer process.

The petition, filed by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, highlighted the mistreatment of elephants in captivity and called for their release into the wild. The court is currently examining the case, which pertains to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the petitioner, and is not considering the prohibition of elephants in temple festivals.

The number of captive elephants has increased over the years, with 2,725 elephants currently held in captivity, according to the 2026 census.