Elephants
The survival of the elephant in India is critical to the survival of the entire species in Asia. Home to almost 60% of Earth’s remaining Asian elephant population, India is plagued with a lack of awareness and education which is leading to the persistent enslavement of these majestic animals for tourism, manual labor, performances, processions, entertainment and street begging.
Wildlife SOS leads efforts to protect the wild elephant population in India. We rescue, treat and care for elephants exploited in the abusive tourism and “begging elephant” industries. We work to end the plight of injured and sick elephants that are forced to work in unnatural conditions. Our aim is to reach out and help the elephants that are blind, elderly, wounded, malnourished and dehydrated or those being used illegally and commercially under deprived conditions.
It is important to note that most captive elephants in India are owned illegally, and strict enforcement of laws is needed to end illegal trafficking of elephants. Our Wildlife SOS sanctuaries allow laws to be enforced as they give authorities a home for these seized and rescued elephants.
In 2018, Wildlife SOS established their very first Treatment Unit. This was truly a historic milestone for injured and ailing elephants throughout India, who can now get the care and love they need in a state-of-the-art facility. The treatment unit is capable of conducting important laboratory tests and treatments for the elephants including wireless digital radiological capabilities, laser therapy, an in-house pathology lab, and a medical hoist for comfortably lifting disabled elephants. The treatment unit is also equipped with a protected-contact elephant restraining device, a digital weighing scale, a hydrotherapy pool, and quarantine enclosures. All of this enables regular check-ups, out-of-routine treatments and urgent after-rescue care as well.
Arya
Bani
Bhola
Bijli
Chanchal
Coconut
Emma
Ginger
Hari
Holly
kalpana
Lakshmi
Laxmi
Macadamia
Manu
Maya
Mia
Pari
Phoolkali
Priyanka
Rajesh
Raju
Rama
Ramu
Rhea
Sanjay
Suraj
Taj
Tara
Vayu
Walnut
Zara
ASIAN ELEPHANTS
The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), is distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is the largest living land animal in Asia. Three subspecies are currently recognised: the Sri Lankan, the Indian, and the Sumatran elephant.
Smaller than their African counterparts, Asian elephants are easily recognizable by their “small” rounded ears. They often have a hump on their back, a double-domed head with two humps, and a single “finger” on their trunk for grasping. Their diet consists of green grass, roots, fruits, and fodder, and an adult elephant can consume up to 300-500 lbs (136-250 kg) of food in a single day.
General Characteristics
- Status: Endangered
- Population: Fewer than 22,000 in the wild
- Captive population: Approximately 2,700
- Under care of Wildlife SOS: 30
- Wildlife SOS sanctuaries with elephants: Elephant Conservation and Care Centre | Elephant Rehabilitation Centre| Treatment Unit
- Lifespan: 60-80 years
- Weight: Males, 4-5 tons. Females, 3 tons.
- Height: Males, 9 feet tall at the shoulder. Females, 8 feet.
THREATS TO ASIAN ELEPHANTS
The Asian elephant is an ‘endangered’ species according to the IUCN Red List. There are various reasons for the rapid decline of the
elephant population –
No room to roam: Habitat loss and fragmentation is the greatest threat to wild Asian Elephants. Rapid increase in industrialization and human development projects are clearing their habitat, pushing the elephants to less suitable environments.
Human-elephant conflict: Due to shrinking habitats, elephants are forced to stray into human settlements in search of food and water which sometimes results in damage to property or even human lives. Retaliation by the people affected by these incidents often result in killing of these elephants.
Ivory Poaching: The international ivory trade has contributed to the poaching of male elephants (bulls) for their tusks.
Illegal trafficking and capturing of young elephants: Elephant calves are separated from their mother and poached from the wild to be used in entertainment industries such as circuses, weddings, processions and even temples. In the process, mothers are usually killed attempting to protect their young.
PLIGHT OF CAPTIVE ELEPHANTS
In order to convert a wild elephant into becoming submissive to human command, it is forced to undergo a process called “phajaan” or breaking of the spirit. The calf is kept in a confined space without food and water, and is subjected to beatings until it starts following the orders of its keeper. This establishes dominance over the elephant, who out of stress and fear reacts accordingly to the mahout’s command. The threats to such captive elephants are –
- Abuse and neglect
- Malnourishment
- Chronic foot infections
- Osteoarthritis
- Untreated illnesses
- Blindness
- Loneliness and boredom
- Stereotype obsessive behaviour and PTSD
- Tusk trade
Elephant Memorial
In 2019, Wildlife SOS established India’s first Elephant Memorial to commemorate the elephants who lost their lives fighting the battle of brutality with every speck of strength that they possessed. The Elephant Memorial is a first of its kind in India, as we pledge to never forget the sacrifice of these gentle giants who laid down their lives after suffering at the hands of humanity. The elephants who are no longer here with us have taught us strength, resilience and bravery, and these lessons will never be forgotten, as they inspire us each moment of our lives and keep us driven in our spirit.
The memorial not only looks back upon the fallen soldiers, it also celebrates their healing journey with us. We look up to Luna, Lakhi, Gajraj, Bella, Mohan, Sita and Champa as their martyrdom keeps us united in spirit.
