Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024

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MoEFCC notified rules in exercise of powers conferred under Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA) 1972.

Key highlights of rules
- Application for transfer of captive elephants shall be made to Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) having jurisdiction over area where elephant is registered.
- On receipt of application, DCF shall
  - obtain a certificate of a veterinary practitioner;
  - conduct inquiry and physical verification of facility where elephant is presently and proposed to be housed;
  - forward application/report to Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW ) within fifteen days.
- Transfer within state: After report examination, CWW permit or reject transfer of captive elephants within seven days.
- Transfer outside of states: CWW of donor state shall forward application to CWW of recipient state within fifteen days.
- Terms and conditions for transfer: Owner is no longer able to maintain elephant; No transfer unless genetic profile of animal has been entered in electronic monitoring application of MoEFCC; etc.
- Validity: Elephant transfer shall be effected within a period not exceeding three months from date of grant of permission. Transport permit shall not be more than one month.

Subspecies of Asian elephants native to Indian subcontinent.
Habitat: Dry-thorn forests, moist and dry deciduous forests, tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
As per Elephant Census 2017, Karnataka has highest number of elephants followed by Assam.
Characteristics:
- Leader of an elephant group: Female.
- Maximum gestation period: 22 months.
Conservation status:
- IUCN status: Endangered
- CITES status: Appendix I
- WPA, 1972: Schedule I