In India’s southern state of Kerala, robotic elephants are replacing live ones at some temple festivals. Rising concerns about elephant abuse and dangerous incidents led to the change.

In India's southern state of Kerala, robotic elephants are replacing live ones in temple festivals

CHALAKUDY, India (AP) — The life-size robotic elephants in Prasanth Prakashan's backyard workshop have ears that flap, tails that swish and trunks that squirt water.