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A life-like mechanical elephant has been deployed in a temple in India’s Kerala for performing daily rituals instead of a real animal.
The mechanical elephant named “Irinjadappilly Raman” was donated to Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and actress Parvathy Thiruvothu, reports NDTV.
Raman weighs 800 kg, is 11 feet tall and made of iron with rubber armour. The elephant’s head, eyes, mouth, ears and tail all work on electricity. It cost Rs 5 lakh. Like real elephants, the robotic elephant also can carry up to four people on its back.
In a tweet, PETA India shared the video and wrote, “JUMBO NEWS! Kerala’s Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple will use a lifelike mechanical elephant to perform rituals, allowing real elephants to remain with their families in nature.'”
PETA said Raman will help conduct ceremonies at the temple in a safe and cruelty-free manner and thereby supporting real elephants’ rehabilitation.
