The poor have always flocked to urban areas for the promise of a livelihood, but these particular poor happen to be bringing the world's largest land animals with them. Elephants have become a staple in nightlife and market areas, wading in among crowds of passersby. The mahouts accept money from tourists for a chance to feed the elephant a few withered greens. However, the move has been far from pleasant for most elephants. Elephants are too big, too sensitive, and too intelligent to comfortably tolerate wandering the narrow streets and sidewalks of a densely populated metropolis.
Elephants block traffic and are occasionally hit by cars.
There are few opportunities for a bath. They often become lonely, dehydrated, and sick. Many seem to have a haunted, panicked look in their eyes as they continually roam the city streets. Despite all this, it has been difficult to keep them out. Although there are statutes barring elephants from entering large cities, the police realize that if they arrest the mahout, they will be unable to control the animal and there are no proper facilities for holding it, let alone for buying the 200 kilos of greens and 200 liters of water it needs each day.