The administration of a Hindu temple in the state of Kerala in southern India has replaced the sacred elephant, which participated in the temple rituals, with a mechanical model. The moving imitation elephant on a metal frame was donated to the temple by the large animal rights organization PETA and actress Parvathy Thiruvothu, reports the BBC Russian Service.

The Irinjadappili Sri Krishna Temple in Thrissur District is one of many Indian temples that keep elephants, using them in festivals and other religious rituals.

However, the way temple elephants are treated has long angered animal advocates. Animals are often beaten and chained during training, and saddled and painted on holidays. According to the Animal Rights Research Center, in Kerala, where about 500 elephants are kept in captivity, 158 animals died between 2018 and 2023.

The Irinjadappili Sri Krishna Temple decided some time ago to stop using animals in rituals and say a mechanical elephant will help conduct rituals "without animal abuse."

The temple hopes that the replacement of real elephants with imitation ones will be considered in other religious institutions where they are kept. PETA called for the same.

"It's high time we took more decisive steps to stop the abuse of animals, start respecting them and letting them live in dignity," the organization said.

According to the Indian Express newspaper, the artificial elephant is three meters high, weighs 800 kilograms and is held on an iron frame. It costs about $6,000.

"We hope that other temples will also consider replacing their elephants with mechanical ones as part of their rituals," said temple minister Rajkumar Namboothiri.