A robotic elephant given by Peta to a Kerala temple - in pictures

  • People pose with the robotic elephant in Kerala
    People pose with the robotic elephant in Kerala
  • A robotic elephant, Irinjadappilly Raman, is welcomed in a ceremony by the head priest at the Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple near Thrissur in Kerala, India. All photos: Peta
    A robotic elephant, Irinjadappilly Raman, is welcomed in a ceremony by the head priest at the Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple near Thrissur in Kerala, India. All photos: Peta
  • The mechanical elephant looks surprisingly lifelike, with expressive eyes and a moving trunk and tail
    The mechanical elephant looks surprisingly lifelike, with expressive eyes and a moving trunk and tail
  • Animal rights activists have long demanded an end to the tradition of keeping captive elephants at temples, which they say is cruel
    Animal rights activists have long demanded an end to the tradition of keeping captive elephants at temples, which they say is cruel
  • The temple's head priest said the mechanical elephant 'will help us to conduct our rituals and festivals in a cruelty-free way'
    The temple's head priest said the mechanical elephant 'will help us to conduct our rituals and festivals in a cruelty-free way'
  • Captive elephants killed 526 people in Kerala in 15 years, according to Peta
    Captive elephants killed 526 people in Kerala in 15 years, according to Peta
  • Temple visitors admire Irinjadappilly Raman
    Temple visitors admire Irinjadappilly Raman
  • There are more than 2,600 captive elephants in India, according to the Ministry of Environment and Forests
    There are more than 2,600 captive elephants in India, according to the Ministry of Environment and Forests