News Desk
14 October 2025, 07:16 PM IST
Guruvayur Gokul death sparks probe over alleged elephant neglect, cruelty at Kerala temple sanctuary.
Guruvayur Gokul
The passing of Guruvayur Gokul, a renowned temple elephant, has ignited controversy and led to urgent demands for a high-level investigation into alleged neglect and animal cruelty at the Guruvayur Devaswom. The 35-year-old tusker, known for his long service, died on Monday, October 14, just weeks after reports surfaced that he had been beaten, resulting in the suspension of two staff members.
Who was the famed tusker, Guruvayur Gokul?
Guruvayur Gokul was a prominent elephant of the Guruvayur Devaswom. He was highly celebrated among festivalgoers and was affectionately known as “Gajakumaran” (Baby Elephant Prince) by elephant enthusiasts, particularly those from Paravur. Gokul was dedicated to the deity on January 9, 1994, and enjoyed a distinguished career. His achievements included carrying the thidambu (deity’s idol) during the 2022 temple festival and being responsible for carrying the Swarnakolam (Golden Caparison) for Guruvayoorappan for more than three decades. He was also given the duty of carrying the Swarnakolam on Guruvayoorappan’s birthday, Ashtami Rohini. Gokul was distinct in that he was a single-tusked elephant; his right tusk was broken when a coconut tree fell on him, requiring him to wear a fiberglass tusk during processions.
What caused the elephant’s health to decline?
Gokul suffered severe injuries in February after being gored by another tusker, Pitambaran, who also belonged to the Guruvayur Devaswom. This attack took place during a temple festival in Koyilandi Kuruvangad Manakulangara, an incident that also tragically saw three people die when an elephant ran amok. The goring left Gokul with deep wounds, causing him to become weak after months of ongoing treatment. Although he did participate in some processions, including the Thrissur Pooram, Gokul had not been sent out for external duties for roughly one and a half months before his death. Furthermore, he had stopped eating for about a week leading up to his passing.
Why were two mahouts suspended?
Reports emerged alleging that the elephant had been beaten. This incident is said to have occurred around 10 PM on September 9. A security officer who was on duty witnessed the mahouts approaching the elephant and administering the beating. The officer reported this information to senior officials at the Aanakotta (elephant sanctuary). Based on the subsequent report filed by the officials, Administrator O.B. Arunkumar suspended the second mahout, G. Gokul, and the third mahout, K.A. Sathyan. Their suspension, pending investigation, was formalized by a decision of the Devaswom Governing Council on the September 26.
Why is a high-level, external probe being demanded?
The Elephant Lovers’ Association has called for a high-level investigation into Gokul’s death. K P Udayan, the association’s president, has demanded strict action against those responsible, accusing the Guruvayur Devaswom of showing grave negligence in the treatment of the famous tusker. Udayan alleged that a probe conducted solely at the Devaswom level would not reveal the true facts and insisted on an external agency, such as the Forest Department Vigilance, for a fair investigation. He emphasized that it must be investigated whether there were any lapses in the treatment and subsequent care provided to Gokul. Udayan argued that if the Devaswom failed to give adequate attention to Gokul’s health, the officials involved must be considered responsible.
What are the wider concerns about elephant welfare at the sanctuary?
The death of Guruvayur Gokul has brought wider attention to the welfare and mortality rates among elephants at the Aanakotta. The elephant population at the sanctuary has decreased significantly over time, falling from 66 elephants to just 35. In the span of 15 years, 31 elephants have died, including three elephants within the last 10 months alone. An elephant named Gopeekannan, who died previously, was cited as a major loss to the sanctuary’s elephant numbers.
In response to welfare concerns, approximately 70 mahouts recently submitted a signed petition to the Administrator, demanding that elephant treatment be made more effective. They also requested that expert doctors be brought to the Aanakotta from ‘Vantara’ in Gujarat, which is considered the largest elephant care centre in the world.
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