An elephant rescue non-profit, Save Elephant Foundation, recently posted several photos of an emaciated and skeletal-looking elephant.

Accompanied with the photos was a post detailing the plight of the female elephant, named Tikiri, who was forced to parade in costume through the streets of Kandy, Sri Lanka for a Buddhist festival.

The pictures went hugely viral, sparking much outcry from netizens to save the elephant from abuse.

Temple stated that Tikiri not as "feeble and unfit" as photos suggested

A subsequent article by the Metro revealed that Tikiri had actually been cleared to participate in the festival.

After the social media storm stirred up by Save Elephant Foundation's photos, a spokesperson for the temple, Sacred Tooth Relic, reportedly told the news site that Tikiri is not as "feeble and unfit" as the photos suggested.

Temple staff told AFP that the elderly female elephant suffered from a "digestive ailment" that allegedly prevented her from gaining weight.

However, this purported ailment had not "affected her strength and abilities" and she was deemed fit enough to join the parade.

The staff claimed that only healthy elephants were allowed to participate in the Perehara festival and that Tikiri was in good hands.

"Any elephant who needs special attention is being carefully looked after. As for Tikiri, she is being fed broken down food for easy digestion. These dietary modifications and special care have brought Tikiri to a better state than before."

Tikiri's owner had also "specially requested" for the elephant to be part of the 2019 procession as there was a belief that sick elephants would be cured after "offering" themselves in the parade.

Subsequently withdrawn from the latest parade

Following the widespread online backlash, it was reported that Tikiri had allegedly been spared from the latest parade.

According to AFP, the temple's chief custodian, Pradeep Nilanga Dela, who organised the parade, stated that the elephant would not be part of the festival's grand finale on August 14.

Pradeep added that Tikiri was suffering from a "medical condition" and was "being treated", and that her owner had told him that the creature would not be part of the festival.

Collapsed from fatigue

Despite the temple and owner's previous claims that Tikiri was allegedly of otherwise good health aside from her "digestive ailment", a recent contradicting photo of the elephant shows otherwise.

Posted by Save Elephant Foundation one day later on August 15, a photo allegedly showed Tikiri succumbing to exhaustion and collapsed on the floor.

The foundation updated that it was "too tiring for her to walk and work."

This is despite a vet Tikiri had seen a few days earlier apparently stating that Tikiri was "strong and ok to walk".

It is uncertain what Tikiri's current condition is. Hopefully the elephant is able to recover and regain her health.

You can view Save Elephant Foundation's post here:

According to CNA, tourism and wildlife minister John Amaratunga ordered an investigation into how the elephant was allowed to perform despite her poor health.

Top photo from Save Elephant Foundation