In a stretch of reserve forest along the Trichy-Chennai National Highway, about 35km from the city, the Elephant Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Marama Reddy Palayam has become a sanctuary for Tamil Nadu’s pachyderms with a history of abuse, neglect or retired from temple service.Established in 2019 by the Tamil Nadu forest department on 20 hectares, the centre has rehabilitated more than a dozen rescued captive elephants. It currently houses Gomathi (71), a rescued temple elephant from Thiruvidaimarudur Mahalingaswami Temple; and Sundari (68), Sumathi (61), Malachi (38), and Roofali (24), who were privately owned.Indian elephants (Elephas maximus indicus) are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, facing extinction risks in the wild. Captive elephants, however, endure a different struggle, says wildlife biologist Sivaganesan Natarajan. “They become ill and injured if neglected or mistreated. They miss socialization with other elephants for most of their lives. It is important to provide care for them.”These animals are often chained for 16 to 24 hours a day, resulting in leg wounds, infections, restricted movement, and an inability to lie down. “Hard floors cause foot rot, cracked nails, abscesses, arthritis and deformities. Many have been beaten with bullhooks, sticks, pliers, or spiked tools that leave wounds on the body, face, trunk, and hips, along with back and skin injuries from saddles. Tiny, poorly ventilated sheds expose them to heat and their own waste, with little access to proper bathing or natural space,” he says. “Forced to stand for long hours blessing devotees or performing rituals, they face overwork, inadequate diets, delayed veterinary care and years of solitary confinement that trigger stereotypic behaviours and severe psychological stress.”When abuse or illegal custody is identified, the forest department acts under legal orders to confiscate the animals and transfer them to specialised facilities such as ERRC.Under the guidance of chief conservator of forests (Trichy circle) N Kanchana and Trichy district forest officer S Krithiga, a team of 19 staff including a ranger, forester, veterinarian and mahouts take care of the elephants.The elephants get to walk in the adjoining 2,000-hectare reserve forest before resting under shelters. The centre features rain guns, mist foggers, overhead showers, mud baths and a swimming pool. In 2025, a hydrotherapy pool was added. The elephants are fed 200kg of green fodder daily, along with vegetables, rice, barley, plantain, sugarcane and watermelon. “With care, the elephants have better chances of improved health and increased lifespan,” says a forest department official.
