Charges vs Jumbo’s promoters mulled

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has asked the promoters of the "Elephant World" show at the Araneta Center in Quezon City to explain why they should not be sanctioned for violating the terms of their permits for the entry of wild animals in the country.

Theresa Mendita Lim, assistant director of the DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), said initial investigation showed that there was an apparent neglect on the part of the elephant handlers when they left open the cage of Jumbo, the 21-year-old elephant who broke free and traipsed around Quezon City last May 8.

"There is a violation in the permit, and we asked them to explain why they should not be sanctioned or blacklisted," Lim told The STAR.

She said a combined team from the PAWB and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has submitted its initial report on the incident to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Elisea Gozun.

Organizers of the show, however, expressed willingness to voluntarily "deport" Jumbo back to his place of origin if it can be established that he is no longer fit to perform circus acts, Lim said.

Dr. Esteban Toledo, chief of the wildlife rescue center, said Jumbo sustained minor injuries from the incident and is presently being chained inside the Elephant World compound at the Araneta Center.

Toledo said that the handlers forgot to close the door of Jumbo’s cage giving him the opportunity to escape.

The eight-foot-tall Thai elephant walked from the Araneta Center to Kamuning Road in Quezon City, passing through EDSA, creating massive traffic jams along the way. It also stepped on a trainer and hit a taxi.

Aside from the violation of their entry permit, wildlife investigators are also looking into possible violation of the Animal Welfare Act and the law which specifically imposes penalties and fines to persons who mistreat animals.

If found guilty of maltreatment of wild and domesticated animals, organizers and handlers of the circus face maximum imprisonment of one year and a fine of up to P100,000.