Next Key Date June 9, 2016: As stated in the petition, this case is continuing into the summer. The Magistrate gave an order to release the illegally captured elephant calves back to the illegal captors on May 18th and 20th, 2016. This decision has been challenged and the Attorney General’s Department has filed a Revision in the High Court. The Order issued from the Revision has called for a suspension of the Order of 18th and 20th May issued in the (lower) Magistrate Court to prevent the release of the wild-born baby elephants to the illegal owners who had possessed forged ownership documents. According to current law, one cannot “own” wild elephants, and the illegal owners provided forged ownership documents. Parallel investigations are said to continue before the case is taken up again on the 9th of June. Thus, this Petition calling for support remains urgent in order to secure the rights of the illegally captured elephant calves with fraudulent permits. The illegal owners are profiting from the tourism associated with cultural and religious ceremonies in addition to corporate and social activities. For example, the baby elephants are used in random pageants such as this one pictured in Columbo, Sri Lanka, culminating with the historic pageant held in Kandy Esala Perahera in July. This is perhaps the most popular attraction and draws a large number of tourists to Sri Lanka annually. Please send a message that the illegal capture, torture and abuse of baby elephants should not be part of these important events. Please continue to sign and share this petition. The signatures will be delivered to the Court before June 9th, 2016 to encourage the court to uphold the current laws that protect wildlife.