WCCB begins probe into illegal elephant trade from Northeast to Kerala

Guwahati: The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) has launched an investigation into the alleged illegal transfer of captive elephants from the Northeast to Kerala.

The probe was initiated following a complaint from Alok Hasarwala Gupta, the Founder of the Centre for Research on Animal Rights, India.  

Gupta filed the complaint based on two media reports including one published in Northeast Now, titled, “Ten elephants illegally transported from Arunachal to Kerala via Assam,” published on June 10, 2024.

Gupta alleged that a notorious elephant trader, Omanakuttan Pillai, with a history of wildlife crimes, was traveling through Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Tripura to procure elephants for the Pooram Festival circuit in Kerala.

In response to the complaint, the Eastern Region of WCCB has written to the chief wildlife wardens of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura, seeking information regarding illegal commercial trading and transfer of captive elephants from the Northeast to Kerala.  

The WCCB has sought details of registered captive elephants, transit permits issued, and cases related to illegal elephant trade and transfer from the forest departments of these states.

Additionally, the bureau has asked for information on cases involving Omanakuttan Pillai and his associates, as well as any incidents of illegal elephant capture from forests.

The WCCB has also directed the Eastern Region Bureau to form a committee to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit a comprehensive report on the matter.

The investigation comes amid concerns over the illegal trade of captive elephants, which violates the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024, which mandate that genetic profiles of elephants must be entered into an electronic monitoring application.