ALBAWABA - A significant decision was made by a Bangladeshi court this Sunday, preventing the adoption of elephants from the wild, a move started by animal rights supporters to be a crucial step in stopping animal cruelty.
The court's ruling, lauded as a "landmark" decision, hopes to put a stop to the mistreatment of Asian elephants captured for training purposes.
The attorney general of Bangladesh, Amit Das Gupta, confirmed the suspension of licenses for keeping an elephant in captivity following this court order. Formerly a sanctuary for Asian elephants, the country's elephant population was drastically reduced due to poaching and habitat destruction, pushing these creatures to the brink of extinction.
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Reports suggest that Bangladesh currently harbors close to 100 captive elephants, a considerable amount when considering the diminishing wild elephant population.
Encroachment on their natural habitat due to logging activities and agricultural expansion has led to the capture of young elephants in the northern and southeastern regions.
Previously, licenses were issued by the forestry department allowing various groups to utilize elephants for logging operations or in circuses. However, Gupta highlighted the exploitation and misuse of these captive animals for activities violating the terms of the licenses.
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Animal rights advocates, including the People for Animal Welfare (PAW) Foundation in Bangladesh, appreciated the court's decision, as it might be the start of a pivotal moment in ending the brutal training methods inflicted on any captive elephant. It is a big step towards protecting these gentle animals from abuse and neglect.
The heartbreaking tale of a young elephant tragically killed by a train while being used for begging last year shed light on the dire conditions of these elephants in Bangladesh. Initiatives are underway to advocate for the humane treatment and rehabilitation of these creatures.
