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Delhi's Last Working Elephants by Simon de Trey-White

4th September 2014, New Delhi, India. An elephant loaded with fodder pillaged from the city's trees is ridden by a handler across a busy road as a passing cyclist clasps his hand to his chest in veneration, New Delhi, India on the 4th September 2014. Elephants are revered in India due to their enshrinement in many and various religious traditions and beliefs.

Elephant handlers (Mahouts) eke out a living in makeshift camps on the banks of the Yamuna River in New Delhi. They survive on a small retainer paid by the elephant owners and by giving rides to passers by. The owners keep all the money from hiring the animals out for religious festivals, events and weddings, they also are involved in the illegal trade of captive elephants. The living conditions and treatment of elephants kept in cities in North India is extremely harsh, the handlers use the banned 'ankush' or bullhook to control the animals through daily beatings, the animals have no proper shelters are forced to walk on burning hot tarmac and stand for hours with their feet chained together.

PHOTOGRAPH BY AND COPYRIGHT OF SIMON DE TREY-WHITE + 91 98103 99809
email: simon@simondetreywhite.com
Photographer in Delhi

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Simon de Trey-White
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4th September 2014, New Delhi, India. An elephant loaded with fodder pillaged from the city's trees is ridden by a handler across a busy road as a passing cyclist clasps his hand to his chest in veneration, New Delhi, India on the 4th September 2014. Elephants are revered in India due to their enshrinement in many and various religious traditions and beliefs. <br /> <br /> Elephant handlers (Mahouts) eke out a living in makeshift camps on the banks of the Yamuna River in New Delhi. They survive on a small retainer paid by the elephant owners and by giving rides to passers by. The owners keep all the money from hiring the animals out for religious festivals, events and weddings, they also are involved in the illegal trade of captive elephants. The living conditions and treatment of elephants kept in cities in North India is extremely harsh, the handlers use the banned 'ankush' or bullhook to control the animals through daily beatings, the animals have no proper shelters are forced to walk on burning hot tarmac and stand for hours with their feet chained together. <br /> <br /> PHOTOGRAPH BY AND COPYRIGHT OF SIMON DE TREY-WHITE + 91 98103 99809<br /> email: simon@simondetreywhite.com<br /> Photographer in Delhi