What if we could solve the endangered elephant crisis with cutting-edge, robotic technology? National Geographic Explorer Sangita Iyer is on a groundbreaking mission to protect these majestic species by introducing robotic elephants as a humane alternative to captive ones used in religious spaces and festivals. In India, elephants are revered as gods and they hold significant importance to the cultural culture and religious practices of the country. Iyer hopes the use of robotic elephants will revolutionize temple ceremonies and protect endangered Asian elephants from exploitation.
Iyer has devoted her life to conserving the less than 40,000 Asian elephants left in the wild. Learn more, below, about her important work using technology, AI and robotics to transform elephant conservation in our exclusive interview.
What inspired your focus on Asian elephants that led you to dedicate your life to their conservation?
SANGITA IYER: As a child, my grandparents used to take me to our family temple, where there was a bull elephant. They would leave me next to him while they worshiped, trusting I’d be safe with this majestic animal. When I became a teenager, my grandma shared that as a 5 year old, I once asked her why the elephant had shackles and I didn’t. My smart grandma got me a pair of silver anklets, but that didn’t satisfy me. I probed why the elephant couldn’t move while I could walk freely. My grandmother was left speechless. It seems my destiny was carved out at that tender age.
In 2013, a chain of events led me back to Kerala’s temples. I was devastated witnessing the horrific mistreatment of elephants—many were blind, with tears flowing, shackles cutting their flesh, paraded beneath the scorching sun, deprived of food, water and shelter. As a videographer, I began filming voraciously and ended up producing “Gods in Shackles.” I subsequently created a nonprofit—Voices for Asian Elephants (VFAE)—to implement projects on the ground, now saving hundreds of elephants across three elephant-range states in India.
In order to address some of the threats to Asian elephant populations, you have proposed creating robotic elephants to replace live ones held in captivity. Tell us about this initiative – how did you launch and lead development of this innovation, and what are your plans for deploying these technological marvels across Asia?
IYER: The concept of robotic elephants emerged from the urgent need to end the suffering of captive elephants used in cultural festivals. Witnessing the physical and psychological toll on these majestic creatures, we envisioned a humane alternative. Our creative process began with brainstorming sessions involving engineers, wildlife experts and cultural anthropologists. We aimed to create lifelike, autonomous robotic elephants that could mimic the appearance and movements of real elephants.
The development journey started with extensive research on elephant physiology and behavior, followed by the design phase focused on creating a prototype that was both realistic and functional. We collaborated with robotics experts based in Kerala to integrate advanced AI and motion technology, ensuring the robots could interact safely and naturally with people.
Leading this innovation required assembling a multidisciplinary team, securing funding and navigating bureaucracies. We launched our first robotic elephant at a Gudalur temple in Tamil Nadu to ensure cultural acceptance. The project was so well received that other temples are contacting us, as we get ready to launch our next robotic elephant in early 2025. Our plans for deployment include connecting with stakeholders across Asia and providing them with an ethical and sustainable alternative to live elephants.
Named “Siva Sankara Hariharan,” the first robotic elephant was officially unveiled during the Sivarathri festival in March 2024. (Video by Voices for Asian Elephants)
With the introduction of the robotic elephant, how do you simultaneously manage to preserve cultural heritage and alleviate elephant suffering?
IYER: VFAE’s pioneering initiative could help reduce the alarming number of captive elephant deaths – an average of 25 of them and numerous handlers are killed every year. In 2023 alone, there were 293 cases of stampedes in Kerala, caused by festival elephants running amok, unable to walk on melting tar roads and the cacophony of noises, including fireworks. Four elephant handlers were killed and 26 festival revelers injured, posing a serious public safety threat.
According to media reports the captive elephant population has dropped from around 500 in 2019 to 397 as of the current date, with three fatalities occurring in January 2024, a significant decline in just four years.
The robotic elephants, created to appear lifelike, present a humane alternative that not only alleviates the suffering of elephants but also mitigates the risks faced by their caretakers. As part of the initiative, Voices for Asian Elephants is committed to expanding the use of robotic elephants, as many temples are acknowledging that using live elephants is not only unconducive to the well-being of these majestic creatures, but is also a serious public safety threat and too expensive.
What kind of resources and time does it take to make these lifelike, robotic elephants?
IYER: Designing a robotic elephant costs between $15,000 to $25,000, covering fiber optics materials, design, transportation, and traditional ornaments. The design process, outsourced to a skilled Kerala-based artist known for creating various animal mascots, involves intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail to ensure lifelike replicas.
Developing these robotic marvels requires substantial resources and time. Each elephant takes about six months to complete, from initial design to final assembly. The process starts with detailed research on elephant physiology and movement to create a realistic and humane alternative. Engineers and artists collaborate to integrate advanced robotics, AI and motion technology.
We source high-quality materials to construct durable and lifelike structures. The production phase involves meticulous assembly and rigorous testing to ensure safety and functionality. Traditional ornaments and cultural elements are added to maintain authenticity and respect for cultural traditions.
Additionally, significant investment in R&D, skilled labor, and logistical support is essential. Our goal is to deploy these robotic elephants across cultural festivals in Asia, promoting animal welfare while preserving cultural heritage. This innovative approach demonstrates that technology and compassion can coexist, offering a sustainable alternative to the exploitation of live elephants.
This AI-based robotic elephant can flap its ears, move its eyes and spray water on temple devotees using its trunk! (Video by Voices for Asian Elephants)
What is your vision for the future of robotic elephants at Voices for Asian Elephants?
IYER: At VFAE, our vision is to fully replace live elephants with robotic counterparts in cultural festivals across Asia, allowing these majestic creatures to remain in their natural habitats. This transition, though challenging and gradual, is crucial for elephant welfare and cultural preservation.
The deeply ingrained cultural beliefs surrounding live elephants have existed for generations, if not centuries. Changing these practices would require time, patience and persistence. We acknowledge that this shift could potentially take decades, as altering such long-standing norms involves educating communities and gaining the trust and support of religious and cultural leaders.
We actively collaborate with religious institutions and businesses to facilitate this transition. Engaging with religious leaders helps raise awareness about the ethical implications of using live elephants and the benefits of adopting robotic alternatives. Partnering with businesses secures funding and sponsorships, ensuring financial sustainability for creating and deploying robotic elephants and supporting the rehabilitation of live elephants.
Additionally, we pursue community outreach programs, educational campaigns and advocacy efforts to build broad support. Our goal is to foster a compassionate future where elephants thrive in the wild, free from exploitation, while cultural traditions are preserved in a humane and sustainable manner.
What do you think are some of the most remarkable qualities and wonders of elephants – for someone unfamiliar with them?
IYER: Elephants are intelligent and social animals who thrive in a matriarchal culture and complex social structures. Just like humans, elephants fiercely protect the young, with allomothers, aunts and nannies nurturing them. Bull elephants disperse from the herd between 10 and 15 years of age. They were thought to be solitary, however, recent studies show that bull Asian elephants form bachelor groups, so they can navigate safely through the ever-changing landscapes.
I believe elephants are “Divine Masters” who have arrived on the planet to teach humans how to coexist harmoniously. They create pathways to waterholes and food resources that other animals would be otherwise unable to retrieve. Elephants are the living expression of empathy. In fact, the word ELEPHANT has a profound meaning, as it weaves together the supremely divine traits of Empathy, Love, Endurance, Patience, Humility, Awareness, Nurturance and Teamwork.
Consider scientific knowledge available on elephants that highlights their critical role in mitigating climate change – such as promoting the growth of hardwood trees that sequester much more carbon than softwood trees, benefiting many species, including humans. It is crucial to embrace a path that reveres and protects these sacred animals who serve a grander purpose in the wild than in captivity.
Elephants pass through the rows of a tea estate in Valparai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Photograph by Brent Stirton/National Geographic
Specifically on Asian elephants, can you describe the current landscape of elephant captivity?
IYER: Nearly one in three Asian elephants lives in captivity—around 15,000 in total—exploited by the logging and tourism industries across Asia. In India, about one-third of the approximately 2,700 captive elephants are abused by religious institutions. The southern Indian state of Kerala, the most notorious, holds the largest number of captive bull elephants, which are critically endangered. Young bulls are captured in the northern states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, torn from their herd, and transported to Kerala. Using inhumane training methods involving several days of starvation, beating, and prodding with brutal bull hooks with pointed metal tips, they are tortured into submission.
Elephants are revered as the embodiment of Lord Ganesh, a Hindu God with an elephant face. Yet, in a tragic irony, these sacred beings are abused and exploited for profit in the name of culture and religion, despite no scriptures promoting such practices. The so-called “traditions” are driven by greed. Elephant owners lease out their elephants to temples through brokers, while temples receive large donations from devotees to parade elephants. Everyone benefits – except the elephants, who generate millions of dollars while enduring unimaginable trauma. This heartbreaking cycle of exploitation must end.
As a call to action, what are the most crucial steps individuals can take to protect and conserve Asian elephants?
IYER: Protecting and conserving Asian elephants is a mission that requires the collective effort of compassionate individuals. Here are a few crucial steps everyone can take:
- Educate Yourself and Others: Understanding and sharing the knowledge regarding the plight of captive Asian elephants and the significant role of wild elephants as climate mitigators in the ecosystem is the first step to raising awareness.
- Support Ethical Tourism: By visiting sanctuaries and reserves that prioritize the well-being of elephants, you can drive change in the tourism industry.
- Donate and Fundraise: Contribute to organizations dedicated to elephant conservation, such as Voices for Asian Elephants – as well as National Geographic Society, to support Explorers leading in this work. Fundraising efforts amplify our capacity to expand our projects protecting wild and captive elephants.
- Advocate for Policy Change: Use your voice to influence policy. Advocate for laws that protect elephant habitats and ban their use in entertainment and tourism.
- Reduce Habitat Destruction: Make sustainable choices in your daily life to reduce your environmental footprint, including eliminating plastics that are killing wild elephants, and by supporting efforts to preserve elephant habitats.
Each action, no matter how small, creates ripples of change. By joining hands and hearts, we can ensure that future generations inherit a world where elephants roam free, symbols of our shared commitment to compassion and conservation.
Sangita Iyer is just one example of our global community of changemakers employing bold ideas and using the power of science to find solutions to key challenges facing our planet. You can support Explorers like her working on the frontlines of conservation and other critical efforts to protect Earth's natural wonder. Donate today and make a difference!
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ABOUT THE WRITER
Bizzy Webb is an Engagement and Marketing Strategy Intern for the Society, summer 2024. She is passionate about harnessing the power of words to unite people in action for causes that protect and illuminate our planet. Outside of her internship, she is a dedicated student at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, studying marketing and strategy.