Press Release: March 16, 1999

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Free Loki – The Indian Elephant: Update

India Project for Animals and Nature’s (IPAN) efforts to help Loki have been depicted by government officials and other opponents quoted in the press as having a hidden agenda, “vested interests”, and of being part of a “deeper and greater conspiracy”. Is humanitarian concern, pure and simple, so alien and so threatening, that compassionate action is suspect and seen as interference (with government business) and as being part of a deeper conspiracy?

IPAN admits that it has “vested interests”. But they are ethical and spiritual, and are vested in the principles of humane concern, justice, and reverence for all life. These principles are not alien to Indian tradition as India’s ancient literature, the Vedas, the Bhagavad Gita, and other world-enriching texts, affirm.

It would seem as if IPAN’s detractors are doing precisely what they accuse IPAN of doing. But what is more disturbing is that compassionate action is seen as some kind of conspiracy, and that pure humanitarian concern for one elephant evokes suspicion rather than mutual collaboration.

Indian authorities responsible for Loki’s treatment and future refused to meet with some of the world’s foremost elephant and animal welfare experts who came to India in January 1999 to discuss and develop a collaborative program to save Loki from further suffering and to free him from a life in chains. An earlier letter, appealing to the State Minister of Forests from IPAN Director Deanna Krantz, was never answered. So in the face of official indifference, after IPAN had provided 4 months of intensive care that saved Loki’s life, and after IPAN had made every collegiate effort to deal with the Loki issue internally, the authorities should not be surprised to see Loki’s story getting out and being told to the world.

A disinformation campaign has been going on against IPAN for some time. One recent local rumor is that Deanna Krantz has raised a fortune to care for Loki and has kept the money for herself. The real truth is that IPAN is almost broke! Another rumor was spread at a conference in London, where an Indian government official told some Jains, who endorse IPAN’s work, that Deanna pockets $150,000 a year from the funds she raises from her photos and videos of India’s suffering animals. In reality, Deanna receives no salary, all IPAN consultants and volunteers are unpaid, and only her local Indian staff are paid.

Twenty letters from concerned people around the world supporting IPAN’s Loki appeal were published in the national daily newspaper, The Indian Express, on March 15, 1999. With mounting world opinion in favor of IPAN’s appeal to give Loki sanctuary and a life without chains, Loki’s past suffering will be vindicated. This matter could have been quickly resolved internally, but official indifference to IPAN’s appeals have made Loki’s fate an international issue. Furthermore, Loki’s Story is letting the whole world of people who care about elephants know more about the plight of elephants in the wild and the inherent cruelties involved in the traditional training methods used to break elephants’ spirits and make them “tame” for circuses, festivals, and so that tourists can ride on their backs.