Search for: suraj

Suraj lived most of his life in a dark and damp room, with no opportunity to feel sunshine on his skin — which is ironic, considering his name translates to “sun”. Like many other Asian elephants in India, he lived his life as a temple elephant. The practice of having elephants at the temple is one that is interwoven deep within our[…]

Year of rescue: 2015 Age at the time of rescue: 45 years old Sex: Male Personality traits: Very calm Recognisable features: One-eared elephant; lost presumably when poached from his herd in the wild Present health condition: Healthy; not undergoing any treatment except regular footbaths Facility: Elephant Conservation[…]

Every day during evening hours, our visitors and volunteers are left awestruck with the sight of a magnificent tusker silently walking to the centre after his evening walk.  His long, regal tusks never fail to catch one’s attention and leave them fixed in their tracks wanting an uninterrupted sight of him.  Our dear Suraj, however, remains[…]

Suraj arrived at our rescue centre on Christmas eve in the winter of 2015, in what was nothing short of a Christmas miracle, following a face-off with a hostile mob determined to keep him imprisoned in the temple that had chained and abused him for nearly his entire life. Since his arrival at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura,[…]

On December 24 last year, an elephant's life changed forever. Up until that day, the 45+-year-old tusker named Suraj had been wasting away in a tiny, depressing temple room in Maharashtra — chained up as a captive spectacle for temple visitors (see photo below). When our veterinarians helped emancipate Suraj, they found an elephant suffering[…]

Rescued in December 2015 from a lifetime of abuse and negligence as a confined temple elephant in Satara, Maharashtra, Suraj, the 45 year old one –eared tusker is now on a steady road to recovery in his new home at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) in Mathura. When the Wildlife SOS Rescue team first found him, they were[…]

Warm sunlight reflects of his magnificent tusks, as the large bull elephant steps gingerly off the Wildlife SOS Elephant Ambulance and into the Elephant Conservation & Care Centre, Mathura. For Suraj, whose name literally translates to ‘sun’ in Hindi, sunshine is as special a treat as the sugarcane and bananas being offered to coax him off […]

Suraj is a male temple elephant who is about 45 years old. Sometime in his past, his entire left ear was ripped off. It was so long ago, that no one remembers how it happened, but we suspect it could have been when he was captured from the wild as a baby and separated from his mother and herd. When our team arrived at the temple recently to[…]

Suraj Pal has worked with Wildlife SOS for four years, acting as an elephant keeper at Wildlife SOS’ Elephant Care and Conservation Centre, Mathura. His understanding and respect for elephants is well-known among the staff at ECCC, and we thought we’d talk to him to find out a little more. How did you come to work for Wildlife SOS? I joined[…]

The largest terrestrial mammal traversing Asia, the Asian elephant, has a diet that is as massive as its size. Interestingly, in the wild, these humongous herbivores spend two-thirds of their day foraging, consuming up to 150 kilograms of food! Tragically, the dietary requirements of elephants in cruel captivity are gravely overlooked. Forced[…]

Elephants are known for their colossal size, strength, complex behaviours, and remarkable intelligence. These highly social animals possess well-developed cognitive and sensory capacities adapted to their natural environments. In the wild, elephants lead dynamic lives, constantly engaged in activities related to foraging, grazing, and defending[…]

Being able to shine the spotlight on our veterinarians is always fascinating as they open up a dimension of interesting stories and life experiences. Our staff focus for this month is Dr. E. Gochalan, who works and fights as a veterinary officer with Wildlife SOS, and holds elephants very dear to his heart (so much so that he even has a tattoo of […]

“A picture speaks a thousand words.”  More often than not, one single picture can impact people in a way that words cannot. This is the power of photography, where an image can speak for itself as it reaches out to a vast and widespread audience.  Iconic photographs have long reflected and empowered worldwide causes, including[…]

Scientists have acknowledged for years that large animals like elephants play a crucial role in their habitats, bringing about significant positive changes. Elephants contribute extensively to the well-being of the surrounding plant and animal life. It is known that elephants neither serve as predators nor prey, thus posing no threat to[…]

Who is a friend? A friend is indeed a blessing in disguise! Having a friend is important for several reasons. You laugh more, you heal better, and you grow together. Having the company of friends feels like a breath of fresh air one needs time and again.  Maya and Phoolkhali, the two best friends at ECCC, share a special bond with a few[…]

Dental health isn't just a concern for humans; it plays a crucial role in the well-being of all rehabilitated animals. From brushing and flossing to prevent cavities, to addressing bacterial films on teeth, proper oral care is essential. Beyond dental implications, good oral health positively influences overall welfare as well, as bacteria[…]

The most identifiable features of an elephant are their trunks and the size of their body. There are three extant species of elephants – African savanna, African forest and Asian elephants. Despite being the same animal, these species are different from one another, due to which they are often referred to as cousins. It is a known fact that[…]

The idea for National Wildlife Week came from the Indian Board of Wildlife in 1952 as a way to increase awareness about the long-term objective of protecting India's wild animals. It began as Wildlife Day in 1955 and grew into a weeklong festival in 1957, taking place from the 2nd to the 8th of October ever since. The need to observe this week […]

There are many differences one can note while talking about wild animals and domesticated animals. The behaviour of wild animals is much more difficult to observe in their natural habitat, since it requires time, patience, knowledge, and sometimes, sheer luck. However, there are many researchers who spend their lives trying to find out the exact[…]

Elephants rescued by Wildlife SOS have often endured a life marked by mistreatment, which leaves them emotionally and physically weak to express their natural behaviours. These experiences can lead to physical harm, trauma, fear, and even aggressive tendencies. Years of abuse leave lasting scars upon these elephants who often require long-term[…]

Lights, glitter, and music of the circus fascinated many of us in our childhood. However, behind this spectacle was a sad reality for the animals involved, including elephants. These majestic pachyderms were reduced to mere objects of entertainment for people's pleasure. Calves were forcibly separated from their mothers and put through harsh[…]

As the first rays of sunlight escape the veil of wispy clouds, the elephant caregivers arrive at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) in Mathura. They walk towards the various elephant enclosures, glance over the jumbos in deep sleep and make sure that they are all set to start the day. Some of the jumbos, like young Walnut, are[…]

Every year August 12 is heralded as World Elephant Day wherein the world comes together to raise awareness about the declining population of elephants. For esteemed Indian actress, Jennifer Winget, this was the perfect opportunity to contribute to the fight for India’s elephants by spending three days volunteering with Wildlife SOS. What ensued […]

Elephants under the care of Wildlife SOS suffer from trauma and wounds due to their tragic past of cruelty and abhorrent living conditions. Long periods of negligence, limited space for movement, little or no veterinary care and malnutrition lead to bodily harm. Elephants are found with various physical injuries such as infected wounds,[…]

January 16-25, 2023 India is a study in contrasts; a historical backdrop for a modern-day narrative, a traditional outlook co-existing with fresh, global lifestyles, an ensemble of ethnic disparities creating a cohesive, cultural identity. India is a mélange of colorful, exuberant scenes, of tangible, delectable cuisine, a multitude of[…]

10- Days / All-inclusive / Limited to 24 travelers / from $8000 (w/out airfare) Join Wildlife SOS cofounders Kartick Satyanarayan and Geeta Seshamani for a unique tour of incredible India. This is a chance for you to see a little bit of India and have a unique experience at Wildlife SOS, with the founders of Wildlife SOS as your tour guides.[…]

Meet Kip Peterson, who is our Director of Engagement and Advocacy. He joined Wildlife SOS five years ago and has been an invaluable member of our team ever since. Prior to working on helping India’s wildlife he was focused on saving homeless animals. He has a gift for making everything look easy, has an uncanny ability to remain[…]

The  caregivers at all the Wildlife SOS Centers are extremely hard-working, dedicated and passionate in their work with the animals. They form the backbone of our organisation who are responsible for the daily well-being of the animals. One such member of the bear care staff is Murari Lal who, for the last eleven years, has been caring for[…]

Nikki Sharp is the fearless leader and Executive Director of Wildlife SOS USA. She has spent nearly three decades fighting for animal causes, beginning with tackling the dog and cat overpopulation problem with national puppy mill initiatives and large-scale adoption events for homeless pets before settling in to her role with Wildlife SOS. She[…]

In 1996, Wayne Hepburn, owner of Mission Media, received an elephant paperweight as a gift from his daughter. This triggered Wayne’s fascination with the majestic pachyderms, and he went on to create Elephant Appreciation Day, celebrated on the 22nd of September every year. Despite its rather facile origin, Elephant Appreciation Day evolved[…]

Asian elephants differ physiologically from their African counterparts, primarily in the shape of their ears, their build, their height and even their temperament. Rajesh is one of the rescued tuskers who resides at ECCC. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak] Some of the common differences between the two species are enlisted[…]

Temperatures soaring to nearly 50 degrees centigrade (122F), every human across India is facing the brunt of this brutal summer! The summer months can be uncomfortable—even dangerous—for animals and people. It's difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone humidity. To avoid things from getting intense and to make our[…]

Lavanya takes a walk with Chanchal at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre. Lavanya Raju is the Director of Finance and Administration based in our small Utah, USA office. She joined Wildlife SOS in 2015. You can often find Lavanya working closely with our supporters on questions about their monthly donations, estate[…]

In leisurely walks by the riverside, Bhola often pauses, his trunk lightly traces the soft mud that he stands on. The relief of the natural substrata was the most basic necessity that Bhola was deprived of.  Bhola spent decades as a begging elephant forced to navigate the narrow streets of a village, violently prodded by a bullhook. […]

As the bright sunshine pierces through the dense fog and mist of the morning, our elephants can be seen pausing amidst their walks to bask under the sun at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre. The month of December, with its unpredictable and delightful rainfall, prepared us all for a chilly winter that was lurking around the[…]

Anybody who has worked with elephants goes on to discover that bulls are much more temperamental than females. They are more independent, curious and spend much of their time in a solitary manner, preferring their solace more than anything. Our magnificent resident tusker Suraj displays few of these traits, however, highlighting the extent to[…]

A huge thank you from Wildlife SOS for all your Giving Tuesday 2020 support! We shared some striking "then and now" videos and images that really demonstrate the impact we've all made in these beautiful animals' lives. If you missed them on our Facebook and Instagram pages, you can see them here. If you would like to support Wildlife SOS[…]

Morning starts with eagerness within the enclosure; every new day brings with it tons of delicious honey-laced porridge, which is a beloved delicacy amongst our bears. Polly starts her day with a leisurely stretch outside her den, making her way lazily to one of the three hammocks within the enclosure and flopping onto it. Then starts the eager[…]

If you ever had the chance to visit our Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, other than our staff or a glimpse of our elephants on a walk, there is one more prominent and powerful voice that will welcome you – a loud and clear trumpet that tears through the composed calm of the Centre! For us all working at the Centres, we casually roll our[…]

Year of rescue: 2008 Age at the time of rescue: 6 years old Sex: Female Personality traits/quirks: Shy and lazy Recognizable features: None Physical condition and ongoing health challenges: Not undergoing any treatment; healthy Facility: Agra Bear Rescue Facility  Favorite foods: Coconut Sanctuary friends:[…]

India is one of the seventeen megadiverse countries of the world. Being home to 7-8% of the world’s recorded species, from top predators such as the Asiatic lions, Bengal tigers to large herbivores such as the Asian elephant and one-horned rhino sustain several complex ecosystems in India. This rich fauna has not just been an integral part of[…]

While people in the city enjoyed a relaxing and rejuvenating Sunday, a helpless leopard’s life was at stake when it mistakenly ventured inside a field in Sadullapur village, Greater Noida. The Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit receives calls round the clock from compassionate people and works tirelessly to provide critical aid to animals in[…]

An Indian stage and film actor, Jim Sarbh, with his riveting on-screen presence has recently exposed his latent love for animals. With his concern for wildlife conservation, the actor supported Wildlife SOS’ cause by volunteering at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, Mathura and the Agra Bear Rescue Facility. The actor spent five days[…]

Nearly every elephant in captivity has been caught from the wild, snatched from its family and mother by ruthless poachers – and then enslaved for the entirety of its life. The exploitation of elephants is not only horrifying in terms of the mental and physical impact it has on individual elephants in captivity, but also the extreme detrimental[…]

As part of an initiative to help improve the living and working conditions of the elephants of Jaipur, Wildlife SOS in collaboration with the Rajasthan Forest Department is working closely with the elephant owners and mahouts or caretakers of these elephants to create a more humane and safe environment for these wonderful animals. After a careful […]

Wildlife SOS cofounders Kartick Satyanarayan and Geeta Seshamani are adding dates to their U.S. tour! As of now, their 2016 lecture series will feature stops in Los Gatos, California; Greenwich, Connecticut; and Salt Lake City, Utah. Kartick and Geeta will share true-life stories about catching poachers, re-training Kalandar communities steeped in […]

For Wildlife SOS, 2015 had its fair share of highs and lows, and brought with it all the memorable, pulse-racing moments of a busy year well-spent. Our teams, spread across India, are linked by a very special cause- rescuing wildlife in distress and bringing them to safety. These are the top 15 rescues we pulled off in 2015, thanks to your[…]

It was Monday morning, and the staff at Wildlife SOS’ Delhi office were settling in for another week of work. At 12:40 am, the hotline rang for the first rescue of the week. The person on the other end of the line sounded distressed and reported that she was calling from the Tughlaqabad Air Force Station and a snake had been spotted on the[…]