An elephant makes its way up the 273 steps of the famed Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur. Some celebrate the achievement but an environmental group says it is downright cruelty.

Malaysia's chapter of the UK-based Friends of the Earth (Sahabat Alam Malaysia) expressed shock that four elephants were made to walk up the Hindu temple's steps.

Brought over from Thailand to partake in a consecration ceremony, the elephants were taken to the shrine of Lord Ganesha (the Hindu elephant god) located at the top yesterday.

Only one elephant, however, made the arduous one-hour climb on the small concrete steps, said reports today. The other four had turned back after ascending only about 30 steps.

"The ceremony is aimed at renewing the power of the temple and deities," chief priest Ravinatha Gurukkal was quoted as saying in a news report.

The elephants were taken there to perform the special prayer for Lord Ganesha.

Undue stress, suffering

However, the event has dismayed SAM president SM Mohamed Idris.

"The elephant is viewed as a very mystical creature, a holy animal important to both Hinduism and Bhuddhism ... [But] in the name of religion no animal should be made to suffer undue stress, pain and discomfort," he said in a statement today.

"It must be very painful for the elephants to walk on concrete as their padded feet are not meant for walking on tarred roads or steps but are accustomed to long walks in the forest.

"Subjected to the heat of the day, this could result in tremendous physical and emotional stress for that sole elephant which made it to the top and down again after the ceremony ended," he added.

About 1,000 devotees were said to have cheered on the elephant as it made the climb up to the temple and was brought before Lord Ganesha for the one-hour prayer.

"In granting permits, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks should make it a point to ensure that the welfare of wildlife are given the highest priority and that they are free from undue stress and suffering.

"What could have happened while the elephant was coming down is most unimaginable!" said Idris.