Tuskers unshackled after ten years, sent to new enclosure

Female elephant Champa was unchained after ten years and translocated to a zoo enclosure of about 1.25 acres on Monday, after the Madhya Pradesh High Court passed an order in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), a senior zoo official said here today.
Her male elephant companion, Moti, is scheduled to follow suit on April 20, Kamala Nehru Zoo in-charge Uttam Yadav told PTI.
"Due to their aggressive nature, Moti and Champa had been chained at the Kamala Nehru Zoo," he said.
Meanwhile, Indore Mayor Malini Gaud inaugurated their new and modern home with all amenities at the cost of around Rs 60 lakh, for both Champa and Moti.

Both tuskers, aged around 48 years, belong to the Makhna breed whose lifespan is around 75 years, Yadav said.
According to Yadav, Moti has been a member of the zoo since 25 years, but was chained after he had attacked some visitors.
"Once, he had also attacked his mahout, leaving him seriously injured," Yadav said.