Everyone appreciates a good contrast—whether it’s the vivid, complementary colours picked for wall paints, the balance of sweet and spicy in our meals, or the striking contrast vibrant fruits and flowers give against lush green leaves. We find beauty in all such contrasts around us. At Wildlife SOS, the contrast we cherish the most is in the transformation we witness in an animal that is rescued. From harsh conditions and exploitation, animals under our care are given a chance to heal and thrive in an environment that mirrors their natural habitat. One of the most heartwarming contrasts we’ve seen is in Jasmine, the last begging elephant rescued from the streets of Delhi. Today, she enjoys a peaceful and serene life at the Elephant Rehabilitation Centre (ERC) in Haryana, surrounded by a lush landscape of nature.
To fully appreciate the pleasant life Jasmine now leads, it is essential to understand the horrors she endured as a begging elephant. Forced to navigate the jam-packed streets of Delhi, the relentless blaring of traffic echoed in her ears, adding to her mental trauma. Her soft, sensitive foot pads blistered on the scorching tarmac road, adding to her suffering. Paraded at events and ceremonies, she was exploited either to give blessings as an avatar of Lord Ganesha or to offer joyrides, all to attain profit for her abusive owners, who wielded the bullhook without remorse to ensure she obeyed. Bathed and fed along the polluted banks of the Yamuna River, Jasmine’s life was a daily struggle.
For Jasmine, the chaos and noise of the urban jungle was replaced by the calming rustles of trees and cool, soft earth at our centre, which spans across nearly 400 acres of forested land. At ERC, the resident pachyderms not only have access to dense foliage as their shade, they can also indulge in refreshing baths in the natural pond. They enjoy the freedom to roam through the woods, exploring and embracing the peace and comfort of their new home. Jasmine, in particular, delights in splashing the water around, making sure anyone and everything found near the pond is completely drenched.
After her arrival at ERC in 2019, Jasmine became the fifth spirited member of a mini herd of resident elephants, and found solace in the companionship of Daisy in particular, who was also rescued from the streets of Delhi. In a remarkable discovery, Daisy turned out to be her long-lost friend from their days of begging together in the city. When Daisy passed away in the summer of 2023, it was evident that Jasmine was left heartbroken and lonely. It was Erika, a sprightly elephant of the group, who took Jasmine under her wing, helping her heal well from the loss. While Ella is the eldest and true matriarch of this herd, she gracefully allows Erika to often take the lead in guiding the herd. Jasmine is joined by Ella and Lilly as they closely accompany Erika during their walks. Together, they have truly formed a tight-knit herd at the centre. Caregivers report constant exchanges of soft rumbles and chirps taking place throughout the day! It is understood that the four find peace and comfort in their new family.
Their day begins at 7 am, with the four elephants heading out for a three-hour walk through the forest. During this time, Jasmine is often spotted foraging for juicy shoots and leaves, and marches well ahead of the group while doing so. Morning walks are meant for exercise, and Jasmine is quick to finish the desired number of steps so that she is the first to return and get to the treats that follow. Among the feast of fresh fruits and vegetables, Jasmine devours apples, bananas, and pumpkins right at the beginning, as they happen to be her favourites!
Once the herd has had their fill, the elephants stroll through the jungle until lunchtime. Playful and mischievous, Jasmine usually makes a beeline for the pond to take a cooling dip. It’s not uncommon to hear Erika, let out a trumpet for Jasmine while she rushes ahead to hit the pond!
After a hearty lunch, the elephants return to their enclosures for target training sessions. Fruits are used as treats rewarded to Jasmine and the rest when they respond positively to prompts given by the centre’s veterinarians and caregivers. Target training is a crucial aspect of elephant welfare, as it helps prepare the elephants for various treatments that they may need to undergo. It is a safe way for the team to conduct medical procedures without causing any stress to pachyderms.
Following these sessions, the elephants relax for an hour or so while munching on some fodder, before it is time for their evening walk. This walk is shorter and lasts for just an hour, as the elephants prefer to take slower steps and graze. As the sun sets, the herd makes its way back into their enclosure. Jasmine and her friends take turns to keep a watch over one another as they wind down, a behaviour often observed in wild elephants.
Jasmine is now celebrating her fifth rescue anniversary after being saved from hardship and despair. The reality between a life of neglect that she once endured and one filled with care and affection is as different as night and day. At Wildlife SOS, we’re heartened to know that she’s now in an environment that closely resembles the natural habitat she was always meant to be part of. If you’d like to help Jasmine and the elephants who have faced a cruel past, please consider making a donation.
