Kolhapur:
A 13-year-old elephant that was kept chained inside a dark shed at a Temple in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra for seven years will finally be free from the torture. Sundar's freedom comes after former Beatles Legend Sir Paul McCartney and Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson demanded his release.
Sir McCartney and Ms Anderson were part of a PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) campaign to save the elephant. They also wrote to the state forest ministry pleading for his release. Disturbed by the condition of Sundar, Sir McCartney said, "Years of his life have been ruined by keeping him and abusing him in this way. Enough is enough. Get Sundar out."
Maharashtra's Forest Minister Patangrao Kadam, went through evidence of Sundar's abuse. He ordered him to be released from the temple and rehabilitated in a wildlife rescue centre near Bangalore. Purva Joshipura, the Chief Executive Officer of PETA told NDTV, "Paul McCartney interrupted his Olympics rehearsal to send an urgent letter to the Forest Minister."
Sundar has now been shifted to a temporary place. People who are looking after him now want him to stay on. They say, "We will keep him in the temple and take care of his medical, food and other needs."