Search for: PHOOLKALI

'Phool' in Hindi refers to 'flower', while 'kali' means 'bud'. Phoolkali — the apple of her caregiver’s eye and a trusty matriarch for Maya and Emma — was indeed a flowering bud that was unfairly plucked off her family tree. Rather than being allowed to bloom in the pleasant surroundings of lush forests, Phoolkali grew up on dusty roads[…]

People often talk about the bond two people share after going through a similar life-changing experience. For two resident elephants at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC), this is a fact of life they know too well. In this case however, their shared experience happens to be a traumatic one.  Maya, our approximately[…]

Grace emanates from her grand stature as she towers over most of our elephants as the tallest female elephant under our care at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, in Mathura. With perfect depigmentation on her trunk covering her round eyes hooded with long lashes, a beautiful pachyderm like Phoolkali rightly belonged in the[…]

Year of rescue: 2012 Age at the time of rescue: 55 years Sex: Female Personality traits: Jovial and playful Recognisable features: Perfectly symmetrical depigmentation over her eyes and her trunk, the tallest female elephant under our care Present health condition: Presently not undergoing any treatment; medicated foot bath of[…]

Her Excellency Vijay Thakur Singh lighting the lamp at the exhibition's opening ceremony Singapore hosted an inspiring art exhibition featuring the collaborative works of a rescued elephant from India, Phoolkali, and Singapore-based India-born artist, Alpana Ahuja who worked closely for several months with Indian Wildlife Conservation[…]

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[…]

It is well known that elephants love water. Despite their size, they are also excellent swimmers! If you have ever watched an elephant crossing a river or enjoying a bath in it, you might have noticed something fascinating—they often submerge their entire bodies, leaving only the tips of their trunks above water to breathe. This allows them to[…]

Consider this: An employee reaches their workplace on time every day, completes each task assigned, and meets all targets. For such excellent performance, the staff member is rewarded with a gift card at the end of every month, which motivates the employee to repeat this behaviour in the upcoming months as well. This practice of encouraging an[…]

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 […]

Have you been following the action at the 2024 Paris Olympics? Well, we imagined what our own version would look like with our resident elephants as the athletes. Presenting the 2024 El-ympics! Wildlife SOS Elephants Go for Gold(en) Watermelons Our resident pachyderms joined in on the fun and celebrated with the rest of the world to bring[…]

Each year the Winsome Constance Kindness Trust, Australia awards the Kindness Gold Medal to individuals who exemplify unwavering dedication in initiatives concerning children, animals, the environment, the terminally ill, and aspiring youth. Established by philanthropist Philip Wollen, the trust focuses on projects that promote kindness and[…]

It is said that individuals sharing the same traumatic experiences often bond very well. For our rescued elephant Emma, introduction to her now two best friends Maya and Phoolkali, has proven this point. Emma was rescued and brought in at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC), Mathura, in 2021. Being a shy pachyderm, she was given a[…]

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[…]

Save The Elephant Day is celebrated every year on April 16th with a mission to raise awareness about the different kinds of dangers elephants face, and is a way to encourage people to conserve these majestic, gentle giants. On this occasion this year, Wildlife SOS was graced by Adah Sharma, a critically acclaimed Indian actress. Her love for[…]

Have you ever wished to visit the Wildlife SOS centres where animals under our dedicated care have been residing since their rescue? Well, the Founders’ Trip by Wildlife SOS opens the door to an exclusive opportunity! Not only do you witness these animals up close and volunteer, you can do so along with Wildlife SOS Co-founders, Kartick[…]

We human beings are highly emotional creatures. We can explain what we feel through our facial expressions, body language and verbal communication.  But have you ever wondered if animals too have feelings or emotions? If they do, do they show it? And if so, how? Since we cannot go up to them to ask them, the question of animals having[…]

We wholeheartedly appreciate the support we receive from people all over the world who volunteer and raise funds for the rescued and rehabilitated animals of Wildlife SOS. Animals under our care have endured severe suffering and traumatic experiences in cruel captivity, until Wildlife SOS provided them with a second chance at life. We are deeply[…]

Maya’s past remains to be a continuous reminder of the daily torture many innocent pachyderms have faced over numerous years. Despite the brutality shown to her, Maya has shown tremendous resilience ever since she arrived at Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) nearly 14 years ago. She had been a circus elephant, forced to stand on one[…]

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[…]

Nestled within the beautiful lands of Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) and Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC) in Uttar Pradesh are the majestic animals that roam in their vast fields. Meet the gentle giants, whose daily routines are carefully designed with love and care to ensure their physical and mental well-being. Having been rescued[…]

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[…]

Do animals have emotions? The question has riddled many minds over the centuries. Art, literature, and cinema have often depicted various animals with an ability to demonstrate emotions just the way humans do. This is largely due to our tendency to anthropomorphise animals, but interestingly, research has shown that animals actually do have a[…]

What is trauma? Conveying a deeply disturbing or emotionally damaging experience with long-lasting psychological impact, trauma is regarded as a primary factor behind mental health issues. The word has been used as an anthropocentric concept for time immemorial. However, did you know that trauma can be experienced by different animals as[…]

Much like humans, animals share a love-hate relationship with the monsoon as well. While we make sure to take out our umbrellas and plan our days according to the weather forecast, how do animals get ready to tackle the rain? A cloudy day tempts us to indulge in pakoras (fritters) during the rain, but have you ever wondered what animals like to[…]

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[…]

This year, the United Nations (UN) made a staggering announcement that the global human population would reach eight billion on 15 November 2022. And it sure did! This mammoth population relies on state-of-the-art facilities and rampant usage of natural resources. Due to anthropogenic activities, the planet has undergone surface changes of up to[…]

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 […]

Eyes are windows to the world. For numerous captive Asian elephants, these windows are shattered, leaving them wholly dependent on humans for lifelong care. Over the years, as Wildlife SOS has and continues to rescue injured, crippled, or geriatric elephants from various stressful situations, the most common problem plaguing captive elephants[…]

As Mother's Day comes along, we would like to take the time to highlight some of the most loving and daring mothers found in India's jungles. These moms are ready to risk it all; be it carrying their young ones on their backs, nursing them despite the harshest conditions, or even fighting tooth and nail for their offspring's safety! Nature is[…]

Mercury levels are hitting records of up to 49°C in the hotter parts of the country, which is basically the Summer saying, “Look! I am here.” Since the summer season can be difficult in India due to being located in the tropics, the dedicated team at Wildlife SOS ensures that a summer care plan is implemented to help our elephants and bears […]

Elephant care is a matter of urgent importance for wildlife conservationists in India. With the dwindling elephant population, the focus is not only on the preservation of the elephant population in the wild but also on the welfare of the substantial number of captive elephants that are present within human settlements. Keeping this in mind, a[…]

Love - a chemical and an arguably ephemeral experience, has dictated the ebbs and flows of society for centuries.  Infact one might argue that the euphoria of love and its constant desire has shaped human communities worldwide. Despite its importance, love eludes us, leaving even the greatest thinkers puzzled about its exact nature. Yet,[…]

You might be wondering where the question mark is in that query. But for us at Wildlife SOS, it is not a question but a reality which we have been dealing with for a long time, and still do. So we will try to answer what a begging elephant is as best as we can. These elephants are emaciated and malnourished, and made to walk on the streets of[…]

One whole year has passed in the blink of an eye, and here we are, coming together to celebrate Emma’s first rescue anniversary. But it was all a very different story a year ago. When we found Emma, this 40-yea-old elephant had spent most of her life walking along busy streets from state to state, begging for alms, giving tourist rides and[…]

Like a tradition that binds a family together, Christmas has become an integral part of Wildlife SOS. As December commences, every Wildlife SOS Rescue center reverberates with rumblings of ideas to make Christmas a joyous and memorable occasion for our resident animals. This year our care teams in Maharashtra, Agra, Bangalore, and Mathura left no […]

Much like 2020, the uncertainty of COVID lockdowns and restrictions posed significant obstacles to overcome for our rescue teams. But these added challenges didn't slow our efforts to help as many captive elephants as we could, bringing four new members to the Wildlife SOS family. Please welcome Emma, Nina, Pari and Ginger! SUPPORT THE[…]

Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, was known for his love for children and animals; So much so that on the occasion of Nehru’s birthday, India observes a day dedicated to the nation’s children. Nehru’s attitude towards children was accurately captured in a letter he once wrote to the children of India. He said,[…]

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[…]

In the last 6 months, Wildlife SOS has worked tirelessly, round-the-clock to attend to distress calls for animals. The country plunged into another dark wave of COVID19, which lead to state-wise lockdowns. However, our rescue teams enlisted as "essential services" selflessly worked towards ensuring that the emergency calls are attended to,[…]

Elephant herds are the living examples of the strongest familial relationships in the wild, each member of the herd has a role to play to ensure that the herd is safe. For an animal that thrives in the company of similar majestic beings, a life in captivity is nothing short of torture and injustice. This is precisely why, when rescued elephants,[…]

In her pioneering speech, We Should All Be Feminists, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie said, “We raise girls to see each other as competitors.” Commenting on female bonds, Adieche stated that society teaches girls to constantly compete, losing out on the ability to form tight-knit friendships with one another.  As society progresses,[…]

As one of our oldest and most experienced caregivers, Munna, gently calls out to Maya asking her to wait while he catches up and she immediately pauses in the middle of her step and lifts her trunk. Munna digs into his pockets and grabs a handful of peanuts to reward Maya for her cooperation and laughs to himself as they continue their walks[…]

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[…]

For a newly rescued elephant, the initial months of adapting to a new environment are a difficult transition period. At Wildlife SOS, we prioritise the comfort and care of these elephants by allowing them the time they need to grow accustomed to this new life. Emma took her time to grow accustomed to the care and treatment we provided her[…]

Communications superstar and an avid lover of all that nature has to offer, this month’s staff highlight is a member of our team, known, loved and respected by everyone. Her infectious laughter and vivacious personality makes her the best team lead one could ever ask for. This month, we bring you the story of Ms. Suvidha Bhatnagar. Suvidha[…]

German Ambassador to India, Mr. Walter J. Lindner, recently visited the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Center in Mathura. Having previously served in Kenya, Seychelles, Venezuela and South Africa, the German Diplomat shares a profound passion for wildlife and music, having composed over five records throughout his career! German[…]

As maximum temperatures reach up to 47 degrees Celsius in parts of Uttar Pradesh, the team at the Elephant Conservation & Care Centre, Mathura have taken innovative measures to help the elephants beat that summer heat! At ECCC, all 28 resident pachyderms have access to their very own Jumbo swimming pools as well as water sprinklers that[…]

Winner: Xavi Barugh (8yrs old) At Wildlife SOS, we truly appreciate the effort put in by every volunteer associated with us. Each year to honor their work, we select a volunteer who receives the ‘Wildlife SOS Volunteer Award’ for their commitment to helping us save India’s wildlife.  We are pleased to announce that 8-year-old[…]

Emma loves resting under the shade of her enclosure and comfortably snoozes at any time of the day. Almost 3 months into her healing journey, Emma has now adjusted to life at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Center and we are slowly seeing more of her inquisitive personality. After giving Emma the time she needed for adjustment, […]

Following a whirlwind rescue operation to get Emma to safety at the start of the new year, we are  thrilled to celebrate her first month of freedom! Emma was forced to walk from one village to another by her owner. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak] Having embarked on a forty-hour long journey to reach the Elephant Hospital, our[…]

We at Wildlife SOS take immense pride in our young wildlife warriors. Their passion and dedication to helping conserve and safeguard nature are truly inspirational.  We take this opportunity to talk about young Xavi, an eight-year-old British schoolboy with learning difficulties who is spearheading a campaign in his school to support our[…]

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[…]

In the aftermath of Jai's successful rescue in record time, we are embarking on a new mission. At the cusp of 2021, our team is on its way to save Emma, an approximately 40-years old elephant who needs our help. Emma’s feet are in terrible condition and she lies down at every chance she gets just to avoid the pain. We know it has been just a […]

“They say an elephant never forgets. What they don't tell you is, you never forget an elephant.” Anyone who meets Maya will heartily agree with the above statement. Once you interact with the exuberant pachyderm, it is impossible to forget her vivacity and joie-de-vivre. As she stands tall and proud munching on fresh, juicy sugarcane next[…]

With Arya’s arrival at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital, there are now a total of 6 rescued blind elephants under our care. These elephants have endured brutality and pain, which caused irreversible damage to their body and mind. Severe malnutrition coupled with lack of timely medical treatment for eye injuries that were caused by repeated […]

Year of arrival: 2020 Age at the time of arrival: about 50 years-old Sex: Female Personality traits: Capricious and alert Recognisable features: Depigmented borders on her ears, almost as tall as Phoolkali, stands with her head slightly raised Present health condition: Completely blind in both eyes, overgrown and cracked[…]

Caring for over 30 rescued elephants, everyday that is spent caring for these gentle giants becomes the best opportunity for us to appreciate them. The way to a pachyderm’s heart is definitely through the stomach so over the last couple years, our team has been organising the annual ‘Jumbo Buffet’ in honour of Elephant Appreciation[…]

Time and again, your feeds on social media will be filled with one of our rescued elephants splashing around in the pools in their enclosures or napping comfortably in it. More often than not, an image of our elephants completely submerged in water with just a trunk lazily hanging on the edge shows their complete relaxation and joy. In the[…]

We have all probably grown up with our parents having to chase us to finish that lone piece of broccoli or the bits of carrots that lay abandoned in our plates. Even at our schools, teachers would give us countless lessons on the importance of eating vegetables to gain strength and immunity. This holds true not only for us but also for the[…]

Not all heroes wear capes, some wear Wildlife SOS T-shirts and wake up every morning, ever-so-diligently to go check on the animals that they take care of – indeed, these are the unsung heroes of Wildlife SOS, they are the animal keepers at our rescue centres across the country. Hailing from different corners of the country, these men stand[…]

Year of rescue: 2010 Age at the time of rescue: 35 years old Sex: Female Personality traits: Playful  Recognisable features: One of the tallest elephants under our care; lower set eyes  Present health condition: Healthy; frequent foot baths Facility: Elephant Conservation and Care Centre Favourite food: […]

As Santa Claus found his way down the chimney awaiting some cookies and milk by the fireplace in houses all around the world, our teams at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility and Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, in Mathura, were no less than Santa as they donned bright red attires to bring Christmas home for our rescued elephants and bears. Like[…]

With each elephant rescue that Wildlife SOS undertakes, we have observed a series of disturbing patterns in the captive elephants. Featuring a grave reality, India’s captive elephants suffer endlessly starting from their indoctrination into captivity until their spirits are broken and they succumb to the torturous life. Understanding the cruel[…]

Wildlife SOS just opened India's very first Elephant Hospital! To us this is truly historic, a milestone not only for Wildlife SOS an organization, but more importantly for injured and ailing elephants throughout India, who can now get the care and love they need in a state-of-the-art facility. On Friday, November 16, a bevy of supportive[…]

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[…]

Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra first discovered the heartbreaking reality of the lives of India’s captive elephants through the story of one such elephant – Gajraj. A nationwide campaign for Gajraj’s freedom from his life as a captive elephant, highlighting his desperate need for immediate veterinary intervention, moved the actor and he[…]

We set up our Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura in 2010, as the first and only one of its kind to care for and rehabilitate illegally owned, sick and injured elephants from across the country. One of the inspiring and guiding influences in our journey with elephants has been the indomitable Sangduen Chailert, fondly called Lek, the[…]

On the occasion of International Day of Forests celebrated on 21st March, renowned Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal made a bold statement about protection of Indian elephants and conservation of Indian wildlife during his visit to the Agra Bear Rescue Facility & the Elephant Conservation & Care Center. The Wildlife SOS staff and[…]

Last week, the elephants at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre had an incredibly special visitor drop by the rescue centre to visit them. Multiple Grammy award winning rapper, musician and songwriter Pharrell Williams stopped over at Agra to see the famed Taj Mahal during his whirlwind visit to India, and made sure to drop in[…]

Winter had barely left Mathura in February 2015 when Lakhi arrived at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre – she was over 60 years old, a blind former-begging elephant rescued from the streets of the city of Pune. She seemed timid, and nervous – blindness is an added burden for captive elephants that can never really tell where the next[…]

Critically acclaimed Indian actor Adil Hussain, who also starred in the film ‘Life of Pi’ spent the weekend at Wildlife SOS’ Elephant Conservation & Care Center and Bear Rescue Facility in Uttar Pradesh and has extended his support to wildlife protection and conservation in India. Adil Hussain is a popular actor who works in mainstream […]

Renowned British Television celebrity Paul O’Grady, MBE has become a patron of Wildlife SOS India to support our efforts to protect elephants and other wildlife in India. The Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Center (ECCC) in Mathura and the Agra Bear Rescue Facility were featured recently in British TV series “Paul O’Grady: For[…]

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[…]

The staff at Wildlife SOS spent their weekend surrounded by elephants a little different from the ones we are used to. More than sixty exquisite fibre glass elephants were on display at the Le Meridian Hotel, hand-painted by some of India’s finest artists, as part of a fundraiser for the wonderful animals in our care. The elephants started out[…]

Causing stiffness, swelling and sometimes unbearable pain in the affected joints, arthritis affects a sizeable number of people in the world, hindering their mobility and everyday activities, and causing them immense discomfort and pain. Living with arthritis can be unimaginably difficult, and studies have shown that the resulting pain and[…]

From the 21st to the 30th of August, Bangalore’s UB City mall came alive with photographs of some of India’s most beautiful wildlife. Covering the walls of the mall’s top floor were photographs by eminent wildlife photographer, Sandesh Kadur. All along the walls, birds nested and tigers rested among lush green forests and deep orange[…]

By Shruti Prabhala Wildlife SOS, in association with Art Junction, organized an art exhibition from 13th-31stDecember 2014 at Art Junction, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi. An effort by the Delhi based non-profit organization to raise awareness about India’s wildlife through breathtaking series of paintings of artistic excellence, it met with a[…]

by- Suvidha Bhatnagar Wildlife SOS witnessed a beautiful Christmas when children with special needs visited Elephant Conservation and Care Center, Mathura. Dr Kirti Joshi, a pediatric physiotherapist in coordination with Wildlife SOS brought  some of her young patients along with their family to show the rescued elephants under care of wildlife[…]

For Raju, a new life of freedom began after 50 years of cruelty, when he was rescued by Wildlife SOS and brought to the Elephant Conservation and Care Center, Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. Initially shy and weak, it took him a few weeks to familiarize himself with the surroundings and realize that he could roam around free without spiked anklets[…]

Wildlife SOS in alliance with Art Spice at The Metropolitan Hotel and Spa collaborated with Singapore-based artist Alpana Ahuja to host a month long exhibition titled 'Ganpati to Gajah' at Art Spice.Smt Maneka Gandhi, Hon’ble Minister for Women and Child Welfare, inaugurated the art exhibition, and gave an eloquent speech on her passion for […]

By Aishuwarya Sudarshan Lakshmi, in Hindu mythology, is the goddess of wealth.  In India she is treated with respect and considered lucky for a house. Unfortunately, Lakshmi the elephant wasn’t lucky. She had spent more than 30 years of her life doing hard labor and being underfed.   The first time our intelligence team spotted[…]

I had been riding on trains, planes and taxis it felt for 72 hours straight. During these travels I felt that I had been unceremoniously stowed either in the overhead compartment or in my nylon duffle bag pressed up against the snake hooks. Therefore, I was feeling like I needed a petite elephant to walk across my back to help me unwind and[…]