Don’t Let Negligent Train Drivers Kill Elephants in India

Animal Welfare, Petitions — By Heidi Raynowska on February 19, 2012 5:01 am

Target: India Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee

Goal: Protect elephants by forcing train drivers in Thailand to be more aware where elephants are known to cross, and to decrease the speed in these areas.

A total of 150 elephants have been killed by trains in India because of negligent drivers. Many of these deaths could have been avoided if the drivers had simply followed the speed limit and kept watch for elephants in the areas they are know to cross. In an incident that occurred last year two calves were stuck in the railroad track in northern district of Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. Five adult elephants surrounded them trying to help and all seven were killed by a speeding train. There is no excuse for this atrocity as it is well known that elephants often cross the tracks in this area.

Elephants are highly emotional animals, in fact they share many of our own feelings. They are known to grieve over lost family members for long periods of time. Their moods are visible through their expressions such as sunken eyes and drooping ears. They form close- knit bonds with their herds and if a family member dies they will actually cover the body with leaves and are known to revisit the site. In Hinduism these animals are considered sacred; they have symbolized  abundance, richness, boldness, strength wisdom and royalty since 3000 b.c. These animals are a part of our history and are extremely sentient; they deserve our respect and protection.

Around 25,000 wild elephants live in India but this number will not last; they are in grave danger because of these train accidents, poaching for their tusks, and habitat loss. We must fight for them by pressuring the railway minister of India to punish drivers who speed and to lower the speed limit in the areas where they cross. Signs must also be put up in these areas to make sure drivers are aware of where the elephants cross, these simple measure could save the lives of many elephants. As mirrors of our own complex emotions we can relate to these gentle giants; their grief is ultimately reflected within us.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee,

Negligent train drivers have killed about 150 elephants in the northern district of Jalpaiguri in West Bengal. This is a tragic result of carelessness and lack of awareness. These animals are highly emotional and grieve the deaths of their loved ones extensively. There is simply no excuse for the deaths of gentle giants, they already face many threats such as poaching and habitat loss.

Please take the necessary actions to make the areas where elephants are known to cross safer. Train drivers who speed should be punished, signs should be put up and the speed limit should be lowered in these areas. These are simple measures that could save many sentient lives.

Sincerely,

[Your name here]