Taking cognisance of the improved health condition of Samayapuram temple elephant Masini, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Wednesday allowed its shifting to the natural habitat at Theppakadu camp in Mudumalai forest.
A Division Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Sathish Kumar took cognisance of the report on the health condition of the elephant, which stated that Masini was recuperating well and responding to treatment.
The court directed that the elephant be moved to the shelter home at Theppakadu camp and its health condition be regularly monitored by veterinarians. The court asked the head, Thanjavur Veterinary Hospital, where the elephant was undergoing treatment, to visit the camp occasionally to keep a check on her health condition. The case was adjourned till December 20 for reporting compliance.
The court was hearing the case of R. Antony Clement Rubin of Chennai, who sought a direction to restore the temple elephant to its natural habitat at the Theppakadu camp. He said Masini was abandoned by her mother and herd in Kargudi range of Mudumalai forest in 2007 and after she was brought to the camp the elephant developed a bond with other elephants.
In 2016, the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa donated her to the Samayapuram temple. The petitioner said this move proved to be disastrous as the elephant underwent a behavioural change after being separated from her herd in Theppakadu camp. He said in one of her violent episodes she had trampled her mahout to death at the temple and her physical and mental health deteriorated following the incident.