Is a 22 year old male species compatible to 77 year old female? Never, if in the case of elephants also. But Central Zoo Authorities would not agree it on this basic compromise, in any case. Here is the story of two elephants with wide age gap, is compromised - marriage of convenience - to satisfy Bombay High Court’s directions.

Rajkumar a rogue elephant, 22 caged in Rani Bagh Zoo in Mumbai for some years, alone. After some animal lover’s filed petition against leaving the elephant alone without mates, Bombay High Court directed the authorities to provide him a mate. To satisfy the court orders Zoo authorities find an excuse. They transported the young rogue elephant to Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, where a 75 year old female elephant is waiting for the past 30 years in solace.

And as usual, the arrival of young male elephant to the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, yesterday, has became a great media brouhaha, giving ‘warm’ reception headed by none other than the Minister of Zoos(additional charge, holding main portfolio of Education and Culture). No animal expert or scientist pointed out the absurdity or non-pragmatic approach of providing mate-ship between a 22 year old male elephant with 75 year old female elephant.

The spirit of the order passed by the Mumbai High Court has gone in vain, by the vision-less or brain-less veterinary experts of this country (especially from Maharashtra and Kerala). The order clearly provides for the provision of mates, not even simple companionship. Might be good, for the old woman Rajeswari, who has been waiting for a companion for the past three decades. But, what about the fate of young Rajkumar, who is forced to comprise his life with 75 year old, ill Rajeswari. Dear Feminist activists, please excuse me for my thoughts on the mate-full life of young Rajkumar.