Search for: karma

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 […]

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[…]

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[…]

The burden of a carrier, no sight to guide her and a bullhook that commanded her on what she has to do – such was the monotonous routine of Karma’s life before Wildlife SOS got her to the Elephant Hospital campus. Karma has lived 50 years never knowing what it is like to be an elephant with soft mud under her feet and greenery around her, as[…]

In a horrifying, gruesome accident, a speeding train that runs through a recognised elephant crossing corridor near the Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand collided with a passing herd of elephants, resulting in the death of an adult female elephant and injuring a 9-month-old calf. The calf, likely thrown by impact, was discovered paralyzed in a […]

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[…]

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[…]

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,[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

There are countless reasons why you shouldn’t ride elephants.  Here are just 5 of our top reasons why you shouldn’t ride an elephant.  If you still aren’t convinced, please write to us at info@wildlifesos.org, and we will answer your questions.   Elephants- in order to make them ready for humans to ride means they[…]

2004 The Elisabeth Lewyt Award for Disaster Management & Planning: Elisabeth Lewyt was a pioneer in the field of animal protection and understood the importance of involving private sector to take the message forward. Our co-founders have been bestowed with this award, twice, for their exemplary contribution in the field of conservation, in[…]

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[…]

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 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[…]

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[…]