Search for: jasmine

A few years ago, when our vehicles would screech to a halt at the traffic signal, it would not be unusual to find an elephant right in the middle of the traffic jam in Delhi. The man perched atop the elephant’s back would poke a bullhook behind the elephant’s ear, forcing it to move. The exhausted elephant would slowly make its way through[…]

It would be a common sight for people residing in Delhi to witness an elephant making her way through the narrow streets and heavy traffic. With blaring horns causing immense psychological distress to her, one year ago, nobody would have believed that Jasmine would ever be liberated from this abusive life. Jasmine’s day would include endless[…]

Almost a year ago, an elephant navigating through the congested city roads of the National Capital of Delhi would have been a common sight for the residents and the tourists, alike. Some would feel pity for this elephant while, some would fight with her owner for putting her through this misery. A casual glance at Jasmine, one of Delhi’s last[…]

The lush green forests of Ch. Surinder Singh Elephant Rehabilitation Centre (ERC) have a new secret nowadays, a gentle giant that loves to disappear into the foliage. Perhaps it is a compensation of all the long days, weeks, months and years that this pachyderm had to spend in a congested, polluted city instead. Finally, at her rightful home,[…]

In a city that is always flooded with people, it is hard to imagine that there would be enough space for a large mammal such as an Asian elephant. Yet Delhi has had a special history with captive elephants that were used for myriad cultural activities within the city. Today, with the rescue of the last captive elephant of Delhi Jasmine (formerly[…]

Over 9 years ago, Raju was brought to our facility after he was saved from a brutal life he had endured for half a century. His rescue was momentous not only because of his remarkable personal story, but he also brought international exposure to the plight of countless captive Asian elephants. To this effect, I recall one reporter asking, “I[…]

If you have ever had the good fortune to visit one of the Wildlife SOS sloth bear rescue facilities, you have probably seen sloth bears climbing or hanging out in trees. Though 50% of a sloth bear’s diet is made up of termites and ants, the other 50% is made up of fruits, seeds and, if they are lucky, honey. So, sloth bears often scale trees to […]

Carpooling, saving electricity, thrifting and buying e-vehicle are perhaps some of the most common ideas that pop up when we talk about  “sustainable livelihood”. Perhaps this topic requires a broader line of thinking. We tend to overlook what indigenous communities have to contribute to this discussion. Let’s highlight the role they[…]

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 […]

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[…]

Recently we painfully witnessed another untimely death of one of India’s elephants. Her name was Lakshmi. After being hired by a temple for a ceremony, an exhausted Lakshmi was being forced to walk at night on the roads to her next gig, when a several-ton truck crashed into her. We will never know the full extent of her injuries, but after that […]

62-year-old Erika’s history is shrouded in pain, agony and utter neglect – however, that hasn’t subdued her indomitable spirit in any way. If anything, this dauntless courage shines through every day that we’ve known her. From the exhausted, weak, and utterly malnourished elephant that roamed the dusty streets of Haryana to the tall,[…]

One year ago, a begging elephant we call Jasmine, was loaded onto a truck in Delhi and transferred to a forested elephant rescue center in the state of Haryana. Although Jasmine leaving the city was a turning point in her life, it was also a historical day for Delhi.  Prior to the exodus of Jasmine, elephants had been kept in Delhi for[…]

With her larger than life personality and enthusiastic trumpeting, it is very easy to distinguish Lilly from the rest of the herd which resides at the Elephant Rehabilitation Centre, situated in Haryana. Watching Lilly enjoy her peaceful walks around the densely forested area with her companions or mischievously sneaking out treats from her[…]

For those of you are wondering what the hoopla around “National Wildlife Week” is about, its purpose is to draw attention to the wildlife crisis that our planet is currently in the throes of. With rapid urbanization, decreasing forest covers, irregular seasonal changes and forest fires, wildlife is threatened like never before. It is the need[…]

By Tamara Dormer   Sometimes we look to others for inspiration and other times it shows up when we least expect it.  We met our muse on the scorching tarmac on a very hot summer day on the Delhi Agra Highway in 1998. Champa, a beautiful Asian elephant, clearly needed our help. Meeting her all those years ago planted the seed that we needed […]

It has been just a few months since our dear Champa, aka Jasmine, was rescued from a life of drudgery and trauma.  She now lives surrounded by 4 acres of greenery with her very own paddy field and pond to bathe in. We wanted to make sure we gave you an update on how she's doing. The short story is that she's doing amazingly well!Her old[…]

It was nine years ago when we first saw Champa (Hindustani for Jasmine). She walked at a painfully slow pace on the scorching tarmac on a very hot summer day on the Delhi Agra Highway. As she uncomfortably lumbered into a small hotel just off the bustling free way, she clearly seemed to be in agony. She was limping and a closer look showed an[…]

The Wildlife SOS at Fatehpur Sikri strives to save the bears from captivity and give them a habitat they rightfully deserve. India is known world-wide for its snake charmors, monkey performances and elephant rides. The dancing bear surprisingly, does not catch the stereotype makers' fancy. As kids, we have all seen the bhallu wallah antics. I[…]