Trunk Tales: The Remarkable Resilience Of Lakshmi

In 2021, a story of resilience began taking shape from the heart of India, Madhya Pradesh. An elephant called Lakshmi was designated with a worrisome title of being "India's skinniest elephant", after a video of this emaciated pachyderm was circulated widely on the internet. This approximately 30-year-old elephant had a peculiarly altered gait,[…]

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Lakshmi Completes A Year At Wildlife SOS

In 2021, a video made rounds on the internet, showing the frail condition of a particular elephant that was infamously dubbed as “India’s skinniest elephant”. The crippled elephant aged around 25 to 30 years old has been allegedly used for street begging and subjected to starvation, abuse and neglect by her owners. On learning of her[…]

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One Month Of Progress – Update On Lakshmi

Lakshmi, infamously known as India’s Skinniest Elephant, caught the attention of the public after her malnourished and emaciated photos flooded the internet. Lakshmi was rescued from her poor plight as a begging elephant. Following a complaint filed by local animal lovers, the Forest Department seized Lakshmi from her owner who was keeping her[…]

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Lakshmi And Laxmi: The Two (Very Different) Elephants

The newest member of our pachyderm family, Lakshmi, continues to settle in her new home, surrounded by love and care provided by our dedicated team. We think now is the right time to draw your attention to the two (very different) elephants - Laxmi and Lakshmi. Due to the same pronunciation of their names, we understand where your queries lie.[…]

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Lakshmi’s Journey Home To The Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital

Being called "India’s skinniest elephant" is by no means an exaggeration, since Lakshmi was found in an absolutely debilitated state due to long-term deprivation of water and food. The crippled elephant aged around 25 to 30 years old was allegedly used for street begging and subjected to abuse and neglect by her owners. The Madhya Pradesh[…]

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Lakshmi

Year of arrival: 2021 Age at the time of arrival: Approximately 30 years Sex: Female Personality traits: The elephant is reluctant to move and when it does, she does so with an altered gait. Recognisable features: Being termed as India’s skinniest elephant, Lakshmi is extremely emaciated and thin, making […]

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Bear of the Month: Lakshmi

Lakshmi was just a cub when she was snatched away from her mother and her forested home, only to be sentenced to a life filled with misery and pain. She was forced to become a dancing bear and made to perform unnatural tricks for people’s entertainment. The horror Lakshmi had to go through to learn how to dance and perform is unspeakable. She[…]

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A New Life for Lakshmi

By Resham Beri In an eleven hour long rescue operation that lasted from 9 pm to 8 am, Lakshmi, an 18 year old ailing elephant was rescued by the Forest Department of Maharashtra in collaboration with Wildlife SOS.   She was rescued from cruel owners in Mulund.  The elephant is now safe with us at Widlife SOS.  She is under proper treatment and[…]

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Enriching Elephant Lives Through Enrichments

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[…]

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Results are in for the 2024 El-ympics

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[…]

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Creating Awareness: Leaving Imprints Everywhere We Go

The impact of information is more when it is shared amongst people. When knowledge about wildlife conservation is spread through discussions and communication, it empowers us to think and act. Did you know that leopards, the magnificent spotted cats, are classified as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and conflict with[…]

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How Socialisation Heals Elephants

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 […]

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Euthanasia In The Land of Indian Elephants

Euthanasia, or killing with the intent of compassion, is a difficult topic to discuss. It will likely impact many friends and family, both two and four-legged, and even ourselves one day. Eastern end-of-life views can sometimes seem at odds with a Western perspective. The Hippocratic Oath – “I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if[…]

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Christmas Cheer At Wildlife SOS Centres!

An ideal winter day for our resident animals is when the sun's rays manage to reach out through the mist to give them each a hug. [Picture (c) Wildlife SOS/ Mradul Pathak] But on some special days of this season, familiar beings wearing the striking colour of red receive an equally warm welcome from our sloth bears, elephants and[…]

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Diwali Brings Dark Tidings For India’s Owls

Diwali, a festival of lights and prosperity that is associated with Goddess Lakshmi, somehow, ironically and tragically, thrusts into darkness the lives of the goddess’ most trusted steed. According to Hindu iconography, each of the deities in our vast pantheon is pictured with an animal chosen as their mighty ‘vahana’, their carrier. In[…]

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Spooky Season Takes Over Wildlife SOS!

It’s that time of the year when the air gets chilly, and an eerie feeling sets over the Wildlife SOS centres. Why, you ask? Because every Halloween, our teams ensure that the resident animals take part in the thrilling festival as well! As an annual tradition, the staff come together to create different Halloween enrichments for the animals[…]

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Today We Said Goodbye To Nina

For the Wildlife SOS team and our many supporters, days like today are a flood of emotions. We are heartbroken at the loss of Nina and for the decades of suffering she endured, but at the same time, we find comfort knowing that she experienced our compassion and care during her final years. In the end, dear Nina knew she was loved and was able to […]

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The Healing Journey Of Elephants Rescued From Distress

Elephants rescued by Wildlife SOS have often endured a life marked by mistreatment, which leaves them emotionally and physically weak to express their natural behaviours. These experiences can lead to physical harm, trauma, fear, and even aggressive tendencies. Years of abuse leave lasting scars upon these elephants who often require long-term[…]

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Role Of Social Media In Conservation

Using social media for wildlife conservation might seem tricky, and with good reason. Over the years, social media has evolved with extremely contrasting aspects. While it manages to connect people across the globe, the “social” aspect of this media has shaped public opinion in both productive and harmful ways. Animal welfare is no[…]

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World Veterinary Day: Gratitude To Our Medical Team

The Veterinarian’s Oath is solemnly taken by veterinarians all over the world. These words drive them to devote their entire lives to ensuring the health and safety of all animals. Medical professionals for animals take on the roles of surgeons, paediatricians, anesthesiologists, obstetricians, dentists, radiologists, and psychotherapists,[…]

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Understanding Elephant Communication

The Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) provides a safe haven for our majestic resident elephants. Here, they can employ their natural tendency to socialise and form close bonds with each other. What makes them further admirable is their astounding intelligence. The social aptitude of our resident elephants includes traits[…]

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Owls Mired In Myths And Wildlife Trafficking

They are mysterious, they are birds of prey symbolising raw power, and the way these nocturnal denizens fly without producing any sound makes them the perfect silent killers. Some look eerie, while others appear to be a friendly neighbour sitting on a tree and minding their own business. Owls have inspired the imagination of many and compelled a[…]

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Wildlife SOS in California!

Join us in San Francisco and Los Angeles for a brunch to save elephants! Toast for Tusks is a VIP event geared for Wildlife SOS supporters who want to connect more deeply with our work. Meet our co-founders Kartick Satyanarayan and Geeta Seshamani. March 26 in San Francisco April 1 in Los Angeles Meet the founders, ask questions[…]

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Christmas Celebrations In Full Spirit At Wildlife SOS Centres

It’s no secret that winters and holiday season go hand-in-glove. ’Tis also the time when the jovial atmosphere of the festive season transforms us and the chill in the air calls for wrapping ourselves in jackets, scarves and blazers. Overwhelmed by the merry environment the end of the year brings, the staff at the Treatment Unit of the[…]

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Most Memorable Rescues From 2022

As we near the year 2023, we can’t help but wonder what an eventful time it was for the entire Wildlife SOS team. We take this moment to pay homage to our dedicated and hard-working teams striving  day and night to help save India’s wildlife. Read on as we highlight some of the most memorable and exciting wildlife rescues of[…]

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Agra Hotels Join Hands With Wildlife SOS

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[…]

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Festival of Lights Brings A Dark Time For Owls In India

Popularly known as the ‘festival of lights’, Diwali marks the beginning of a new year in the Hindu calendar. People all around India celebrate the festival by lighting lamps, exchanging gifts, distributing sweets, and worshipping Goddess Lakshmi. According to Hindu mythology, the Goddess uses an owl, specifically the Barn owl, as her vehicle, […]

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Navigating Faith in The World of Wildlife Conservation

Conservation of wildlife depends on various socio-cultural factors that influence the way humans interact with the natural world. These factors include poverty, literacy and even gender relations. However, one significant influence that is often overlooked while dealing with wildlife conservation is that of religion.  According to a[…]

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Wildlife SOS Seizes Barn Owl In Gujarat Raid

The Gujarat Forest Department and the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response Unit, jointly run with the GSPCA (Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), landed upon a golden opportunity to uncover illegal wildlife trade. In a covert operation, the team seized a Barn owl from wildlife traffickers in Kaprada village located in the Valsad district […]

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Wildlife SOS Renders Off-Site Treatment To Injured Animals

In its multiple years of service to wildlife and nature, Wildlife SOS has completed numerous rescues, and has even rehabilitated many animals. But one crucial aspect of our work also entails the well-being of animals. Wildlife SOS takes care of this particular aspect through the innumerable veterinary treatment procedures that it has conducted[…]

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Wildlife Folklores And A Potpourri Of Fascinating Stories

What else can make your day better, than a story – or rather a set of stories! Folktales or folklores are common in all cultures. These are generally fables which mostly originate in a community and are passed down through generations by word-of-mouth. Just like human societies, there are folklores related to wildlife and wild animals too. Let[…]

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The Paradox of Elephant Trade in The Wildlife (Protection) Bill, 2021

The word Phajaan means breaking of the spirit. It is a brutal process wherein a captive elephant is isolated and beaten -using pain and fear as the driving force until every trace of its wild spirit leaves its body, and it begins obeying its captor. Phajaan is sadly the only way an animal as large as an elephant can be tamed and is the brutal[…]

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Veterinary Workshop On Elephant Welfare

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[…]

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What Is A Begging Elephant?

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[…]

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Know it ‘Owl’: Ritualistic Sacrifices of Owls During Diwali

During Diwali, the subcontinent of India is ablaze with festive gatherings and elaborate rituals to appease Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity who is believed to visit the homes of devotees during this auspicious time.  To welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the homes of those observing this festival are lit up with delicate string[…]

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Celebrating Wildlife SOS’ Team Of Veterinarians On World Veterinary Day

It is believed that not all heroes wear capes, some of them don a green Veterinary scrubs and set out each day to ensure that the animals under our care are doing fine. The world calls them “veterinarians” but we call them “our wildlife heroes”! This World Veterinary Day, we take you on some exclusive insights from the veterinarians of […]

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It’s Time to Ban Elephants on India’s Roadways

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 […]

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Research & Publications

Research & Publication Compendiums Collections of Wildlife SOS scientific publications including Peer Reviewed Journal Articles, Articles, Tech Reports and Symposium abstracts. Volume 1 [View or Download] Volume 2 [View or Download] Volume 3 [View or Download] Volume 4 [View or Download] Volume 5 [View or Download] Featured[…]

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Indian Eagle Owl Rescued From Falling Prey To ‘Black Magic Ritual’

Recently, Wildlife SOS & the Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) in collaboration with the Forest department in Vadodara, busted a gang of smugglers in illegal possession of an Indian Eagle Owl. While one of the accused managed to flee the scene, three of his accomplices were immediately arrested and taken into police[…]

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“Quirky” Elephant of the Month: Chanchal

One look at Chanchal and you know, she is onto planning some mischief in her head. As she eyes the tyres in her enclosure and patiently waits for her pipe-feeders to be refilled, Chanchal has already planned her next move to finish Bijli’s pipe-feeder as well! One look at Chanchal and you will not believe that she was once the victim of a[…]

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Jasmine’s rescue brings an end to Delhi’s love affair with captive elephants

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[…]

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WSOS & Rajasthan Forest Dept Join Hands To Help Jaipur’s Elephants

As part of an initiative to help improve the living and working conditions of the elephants of Jaipur, Wildlife SOS in collaboration with the Rajasthan Forest Department is working closely with the elephant owners and mahouts or caretakers of these elephants to create a more humane and safe environment for these wonderful animals. After a careful […]

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The Elephants in Mandya

Mandya, Karnataka. 20th November 2015. The amusement park is deserted, its muddy grounds drenched in steady rainfall. But for the sound of splashing raindrops, it’s eerily quiet- you’d almost think it was empty. But, under the cemented awning of a half-built, long-ignored building, four large figures stand, with their heads bobbing[…]

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Barn Owls and Voodoo Rituals

  By Aishuwarya Sudarshan Bird watchers are keen on Owls, but why would a washer man or 'dhobi' want barn owls??? It’s not uncommon for the WSOS hotline to receive strange calls in the middle of the night, callers reporting cobras from toilet bowls and dinosaurs from back yards, but this was a first even for us! The caller on[…]

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4 Bears Rescued in Anti-Poaching Operation

   In an all night anti poaching rescue operation based on intelligence provided by Wildlife SOS, four young male sloth bears were seized from poachers on the Indo Nepal border. Six persons were arrested by Police and the Forest Department in the night long operation that lasted several hours carried out in the Sahibganj district of[…]

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Cantaloupes and Footballs

By Sharon St. Joan  When Maya arrived at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Rescue Centre at Mathura, she weighed 3,890 kilos (8,558 pounds).  That may sound like a lot, but for a big elephant like Maya it wasn’t.  She was really skinny; she never seemed to get enough to eat at the circus, and the people there really weren’t[…]

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Up Close and Personal with Dr. Yaduraj- Part 1

Working with elephants is a dream that many people have.  But what is it really like to work with an animal that can weigh more than five tons or 5,000 kg?  We bring you our 4th interview in a series that we are doing on the people who make the work of Wildlife SOS possible.  This one is with Dr. Yaduraj, who is the Senior Wildlife Veterinary[…]

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Owl rescued from “Black Magic” practice.

The superstitions regarding Owls in India are great and never ending. Owls have always been associated with demon rituals, spooky tales and folklore in India. At the same time, ironically, the Owl is also the bahan or carrier of Goddess Lakshmi who is worshipped during Diwali, the festival of lights, for wealth and prosperity, and hence must be[…]

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