A 36-year-old elephant carrying a huge goddess statue panicked and sent a packed festival crowd running for their lives during a grand procession in India. Somanna, a captive Asian tusker, bolted during the Dasara Jamboo Savari celebrations in Shivamogga, Karnataka, last Wednesday (October 21), while hauling a ceremonial silver-and-gold shrine on his back.
Chaos Near Shivappa Nayaka Palace
Officials said the enormous howdah-style shrine - reported locally as weighing around 650kg - was carrying an idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari when disaster struck near the Shivappa Nayaka Palace. Witnesses described a sudden moment of chaos as Somanna, unnerved by the dense, noisy crowd, lurched backwards and then careered off the planned route.
As the frightened animal ran helter-skelter, the heavy shrine slipped, crashed to the ground and was damaged. In the mayhem, at least two cars and three motorbikes were also badly hit.
No Deaths Reported
Amazingly, despite scenes of panic as spectators scrambled to get out of the way, no deaths or serious injuries were reported, the Hindu reported. Forest Department staff and vets raced in to stop the runaway elephant, eventually using tranquiliser darts to sedate him. Another elephant in the procession, Bahadur, was also brought in to help calm him down, officials said.
Debate Over Animal Welfare
The incident has ignited a fierce national debate over animal welfare - with critics demanding to know why a live elephant was made to carry such a heavy load through a packed city route, the Times of India reported. It also emerged Somanna was drafted in at the last minute after the festival's usual howdah-bearer, Sagar, pulled out with a leg injury.
An official defended the decision, saying: "For the first time, Somanna was carrying the howdah. Last year, Sagar handled the responsibility. During the rehearsal, however, we noticed that Somanna's performance was better, and the mahouts and caretakers felt the same. Hence, he was chosen to carry the howdah."
After the elephant was brought under control, the same official added: "The animal was sedated to bring it under control. Now it is calm." PETA India and other animal rights groups have condemned the use of elephants in crowded processions, with calls to replace them with life-sized mechanical alternatives.
Inquiry Ordered
Karnataka's Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy has ordered an inquiry and announced future festival elephants must undergo 20 to 30 days of crowd-sensitisation training. Somanna was monitored at the Kote Seetharamanjaneya Temple grounds before being taken back to Sakrebailu Elephant Camp, around 14km away. Officials say he is safe, recovering and out of danger.
