Obese elephants in Indian temples put on a diet

GlobalPost

Nobody ever accused an elephant of being too fat — until now.

India's temple-dwelling sacred elephants in the Tamil Nadu state are being put on a diet, as many have been found to be severely overweight.

The regime will include more walking and a strict diet, reported the Daily Times.

Some of the elephants, which are kept in temples for religious reasons, are said to be up to 1200 lbs overweight, reported the BBC.

The news service reported that elephants kept in temples throughout the state were found to be obese.

According to the New York Daily News, their condition stems from their capitvity and consequent lack of exercise.

It is also caused by overfeeding from pilgims as, let's be honest, who doesn't like feeding elephants and watching them eat? (See video below!)

Elephants are worshipped in parts of India and the temple elephants serve as symbols of Lord Ganesha.

BBC points out that many of these animals are for hire and used in local religious festivals.

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