Search for: kalpana

Friendship needs no words – it is solitude delivered from the anguish of loneliness.– Dag Hammarskjold The pachyderms cared for by Wildlife SOS certainly embody this statement. One of the ways we assist most of our elephants in recovering psychologically from their traumatic pasts is by pairing them with other elephants and observing the[…]

Elephants at a complete loss of sight are well aware of the fact that they largely have to depend on their sense of smell for survival. However, when it comes to elephants with partial vision, the equation largely changes as they rely on their sense of partial vision and at the same time grow very wary when introduced to newer[…]

The majestic demeanour of an elephant seldom remains the same once subjected to a lifetime of abuse and neglect; chained for hours at a stretch, subjected to cruel training methods and living in constant fear of being beaten and poked by a rusted iron ankush (bullhook) can be detrimental to their physical and mental well-being. Such is the story[…]

Year of rescue: 2019 Age at the time of rescue: 45 years old Sex: Female Personality traits: Timid, gentle Recognisable features: Completely blind in the right eye, taller than Holly  Present health condition: Kalpana is presently undergoing laser therapy for her front right leg, as well as medicated footbaths for the abscesses around her[…]

Years of working and begging on the streets for her cruel master had broken down Kalpana’s body immensely and caused her a great deal of mental trauma. After nearly four decades of abuse and suffering, she finally found the much-deserved and needed respite in her life when she arrived at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital for treatment and care. […]

To say that life in captivity was hard on Kalpana is an understatement. Day after day Kalpana suffered immensely as she was forced to navigate a world that she did not understand. As she walked on concrete roads going places to beg for alms, with her master sitting atop her, the soles of her delicate feet were wearing off, making each step harder[…]

The poaching of wild elephants for captivity is not only unimaginably cruel to the individual elephants poached, it severely threatens the future of elephants in India. Following the capture from their natural habitat, abuse and suffering become an everyday life occurrence for these captive elephants. Kalpana’s story is representative of the[…]

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[…]

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[…]

It is a well-known fact that wild elephants reside in female-led herds, typically composed of related individuals, such as mothers and their offspring. Female calves remain with the herd, while male calves leave it between the age of 7 and 12 to establish their own territories. Once they depart, young males may either form a small, temporary herd […]

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[…]

Holly is a charming, old elephant with a joyful spirit. Five years ago, she was finally freed from a harsh lifetime of begging. Enduring neglect and hardships for 60 long years, she arrived at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC) in a state that required urgent focus on her health. Today, Holly depicts how steadfast friendships, along[…]

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[…]

Cinema has the remarkable ability to transport us to distant worlds, to explore the depths of human emotions, and to shed light on the most pressing issues of our time. Films have always been a great medium to inspire or serve as a tool for societal change. They can also make the audience experience different kinds of emotions, expose them to new […]

Have you ever wondered what’s it like to be born into a family of elephants? If you come to think of it, it is quite an interesting topic to ponder upon. With a plant-based diet, no one in the family will inherit high cholesterol problems! There is an abundance of fresh greens and juicy fruits on the menu every day. What’s more, elephants[…]

Elephants, often regarded as majestic creatures, possess more than just their imposing size and graceful presence. These gentle giants also demonstrate an impressive array of cognitive abilities that continue to astonish researchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. From their social structures to their exceptional memory and problem-solving[…]

No matter how much we ever try, we can never truly understand what it is like to spend nearly 60 years being dragged forcefully from one place to another, merely for the purpose of begging. Holly is well aware of this feeling, as she herself underwent that horrific experience. This was the story of Holly, prior to her life at Wildlife[…]

Most urban dwellers have lost their connection with the natural environment due to the modification of our surroundings. This intrinsic connection holds the potential to fill the lacuna of conservation. But there is a way to bring us all close to nature, to remind us of the wonders we’re missing out on. With phenomenal visuals of the[…]

Dana has been with Wildlife SOS for nearly three years as Director of Marketing and Communications in the USA office. He works closely with our teams in India to bring exciting rescue stories to life for our supporters, and build lasting connections with the animals we help. Known for his love of all animals and relentless problem-solving skills, […]

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[…]

On 10 November 2021, we bid farewell to our beloved Karma. Talking about the loss of one of his favorite elephants, Karma’s caregiver Surendra said, “During the Covid pandemic, we have all experienced so much loss. Whether it may be a human or animal, the death of a being is hard to cope with. Anytime an animal passes, much like humans, their […]

The largest existing land mammal on the planet, Elephants, have a lasting effect on each individual who sets their eyes on them. Their evolution over the years is just as remarkable. Today, there are three surviving elephants species; the African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana), African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) and Asian[…]

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,[…]

The elephant proudly holds the title of the largest living land mammal on the planet, which means that the weight of this responsibility rests on their strong limbs. Their body weight is divided on their forelimbs and hindlimbs in a 60 to 40 ratio. At first glance of their large feet, the wide nails and thick skin hide the intricate skeletal[…]

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[…]

At Wildlife SOS, first rescue anniversaries celebrate the journey of freedom that our elephants embark upon. Each rescued elephant brings with them their own share of burdened memories, lack of rest and their weak bodies riddled with scars and wounds. An elephant’s memory is applauded for their ability to never forget but when such memories of[…]

One of the most common questions we get after saving an elephant is, “why does she still have a bell on?” It’s an emotional subject because after all, it’s a symbol of their brutal life laboring on the streets. Despite their size and weight, elephants can walk very quietly. When they’re in an unnatural setting like a busy city,[…]

Year of arrival: 2021 Age at the time of arrival: Approximately 60 years Sex: Female Personality traits: Docile and calm  Recognisable features: Depigmentation on both eyes; symmetrically depigmented borders on both ears; Depigmentation patch on shoulders Present health condition: Suffers from complete and irreversible[…]

Every morning, we find Karma standing close to Kalpana and Holly under the warm winter sun, while she indulges in luxurious dust baths – a habit she picked up from her companion, Holly. As Karma completes one year of care at the Wildlife SOS Field of Dreams today, we celebrate her healing journey! A rather tumultuous 2020 started on a great[…]

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[…]

From all of us at Wildlife SOS, we wish you and those close to you a happy holidays, merry Christmas and happy new year! Thank you for your care and compassion for India's wildlife. Every holiday season, the Wildlife SOS staff loves to prepare special treats for the elephants, bears, leopards and other wildlife in our[…]

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[…]

Holly was the first elephant to receive treatment at our Elephant Hospital, for her grave injuries. The 61-year-old blind elephant was diagnosed with a serious condition of osteoarthritis that she continues to suffer from, owing to her painful past as a begging elephant. Holly, during her initial days at the Field of Dreams, would spend her[…]

Musth (pronounced “must”) is an annual hormonal cycle that naturally occurs in adult male bull elephants. The condition can last anywhere from a few days, to as long as several months. Physical and behavioral changes are characterised by as much as a 100x increase in testosterone levels, highly aggressive behaviour, secretion of a[…]

The end of October brings chills down our spines and we have more than the sudden dip in the temperatures to blame! The spooky season and the Halloween celebrations have become an annual fall tradition, not only for our rescued elephants, sloth bears and leopards but even our animal care staff. They got into the Halloween spirit by carving out[…]

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 […]

A wave of jubilation encapsulated the Wildlife SOS Field of Dreams as our dear Zara took firm steps to the next and most important part of her healing journey – introduction to her herd! Zara, Holly, Kalpana and Karma (L to R) enjoying a sunny day after fresh rains! [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak] Zara has been making remarkable[…]

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[…]

Karma was a begging elephant who had spent most part of her life living in disadvantageous surroundings, unhealthy environment and a largely exhausting routine of trudging along the hot tarred roads littered with shards of broken glass and pebbles. Having survived on a meager diet largely consisting of dry grass, Karma’s new life came with[…]

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[…]

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 arrival: 2018 Age at the time of arrival: around 60 years old Sex: Female Personality traits: Tranquil and reserved Recognisable features: Compromised gait, diffused joint of the right leg, smallest of the trio that is Kalpana, Karma and Holly, completely blind in both eyes Present health condition: Suffering from[…]