The BMC chairperson of the markets and gardens committee, Rajesh Sharma, told Express Newsline today: ``I have already asked the Deputy Municipal Commissioner Chandrashekhar Rokde to carry out a detailed investigation into the matter and submit a report within a week.''

Sharma stated that though the three elephants were transported safely to Japan, it was unpardonable on the part of the gardens department to send the pachyderms without a vet and a mahout.

The story so far is that the elephants were to be gifted to the Yokohoma Zoo in Japan as a goodwill gesture from India. On March 12 this year, the civic Garden Superintendent, K L Velodi, accompanied the elephants to Japan.

However, sinceVelodi is not a qualified veterinarian, his role as a `substitute mahout' raised eyebrows in the civic circles and Sharma was briefed about this rather elephantine problem.

``The transportation of a large animal like an elephant is a very sensitive matter since the animal has to be first put in a cage and then flown across, which is a very difficult and stressful experience for the animal. In such a condition if the elephants suddenly lose their balance and get nervous the situation can go out of hand without a vet or a mahout,'' said a civic official.

Moreover, the absence of a vet and a mahout violated the terms of the agreement signed between the two zoos clearly stating that the elephants (which were originally brought from Assam) must be accompanied by a vet take care of the animals during the 14-hour-long flight to Tokyo and another three-hour drive by road to Yokohoma.

Also, the presence of a vet was a must to take care of the animals during the drastic changes in the climate from India toJapan.

Velodi was not available for comment today as he was reportedly not well. However, Rajesh Sharma had stated last week that Velodi's trip to Japan was only ``coincidental'' as he had received a personal invitation from the Japanese authorities. Defending Velodi, Sharma said, ``I have asked for an inquiry report only because of the absence of a doctor during the flight.''

DMC Rokde is expected to submit the report by the end of this week.