Hyderabad, May 28 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA) is trying to convince organisers of the annual Bibi-ka-Alam Muharram procession in the Old City of Hyderabad to use a mechanical elephant instead of a live elephant.

The animal rights organisation along with actor and singer Zahrah S Khan has offered to donate a life-size mechanical elephant to the Telangana Waqf Board.

According to reports, in a letter sent to the Waqf Board, Zahrah Khan said that live elephants used in public events are often chained and beaten by handlers to make them perform.

Zahrah Khan also stated that elephants can become distressed in crowded and noisy environments.

The proposed mechanical elephant is designed to imitate the movement...