Seventy-year-old elephant dies

Tikiri is the vidicm of modern slavery?

Tikiri , a seventy-year-old outraged animal right groups all over the world as his slim body was being hidden by a colourful costume, collapsed on the ground after the annual Esala Perajera, a Buddhist festival in Kandy, Sri Lanka. She was one of the 50 elephants that marched for days on end so tourists and locals can feel blessed.

 

Rambukkana, from Rambukkana, a village close to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Tikiri’s keeper said “ Tikiri died this afternoon.

 

According to a spokesperson for the Sacred Tooth Relic, a Buddhist temple that organises the festival claimed Tikiri had suffered from a “digestive ailment” which allegedly prevented from putting on weight. “Tikiri’s owner had specifically requested her part in the Diyawadana Nilame of the Vishnu Devala festival as there is an ancient belief that such religious offerings can cure weak animals. It is an ancient belief that the performing of Pooja ( offerings) to gods by sick or weak elephants has healing powers.”

Tikiri was only allowed to take part in the Esala procession after proving to be fit to take the streets after a thorough examination.