"We are taking a serious note of growing cruelty towards captive elephants and their violent reaction to their human captors," K. Sudharakaran told the state assembly in Trivandrum.

"The Kerala government has issued norms for the upkeep of elephants which among other things insist that elephants retire from work at the age of 65 years."

He added that the retired elephants would receive a good "menu, healthcare and living conditions."

"The elephants will also be entitled to check-ups by vets," added Sudharakaran.

An estimated 33,000 elephants are left in India -- a quarter of their 19th-century population -- and many are put to work in construction, logging, security patrols and other businesses.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has accused Indian state governments of routinely exploiting elephants.

"Elephants live for more than 70 years if left unmolested in the forest, yet their average life span in captivity is reduced to 14 miserable years," said PETA India chief functionary Anuradha Sawhney.

"Imagine what it must be like for highly intelligent, social and sensitive beings like elephants to be ordered about constantly under the threat of a beating with a bullhook at every moment of their lives."

In January, an elephant working in the forest department in the Kerala city of Cochin killed his keeper-trainer, known as a mahout.

In India, at least 42 people have been killed or injured in the last five years by elephants.

Kerala's retirement policy will not apply to elephants working in private enterprises such as circuses, which have some of the worst conditions.

TERRA.WIRE