Search for: laxmi

Laxmi’s larger-than-life persona and playful antics have made her a favourite amongst our staff and supporters! Rescued in 2013 as a begging elephant from Maharashtra, Laxmi came under our care as an obese elephant. The year 2024 marks her 11th year at Wildlife SOS’s Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC), where the relentless care she[…]

In the last decade since she was rescued, Laxmi has shown us her beautiful nature filled with love and playfulness. A resident at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) in Mathura, the 29-year-old pachyderm starts her day in an environment that is very different compared to her past. This month, we focus on lively Laxmi, and how she is[…]

Laxmi was rescued in 2003 from a peculiar situation. Her journey of healing is closely intertwined with our own growth as an organisation that strongly believes in the care of rescued elephants. From her rescue operation, to her veterinary treatments and her current care, Laxmi has challenged us at each step to find smarter, refined and[…]

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.[…]

Fondly known as the “munchkin of Wildlife SOS”, with her short and pudgy stature and the perfectly depigmented borders of her ears, Laxmi has been winning hearts since the day she arrived at the Elephant Conservation and Care Center.  Laxmi’s rescue was an extremely unique one for all of us to witness, at Wildlife SOS. Laxmi enjoying a[…]

Year of rescue: 2013 Age at the time of rescue: 18 years Sex: Female Personality traits: A complete foodie! Recognisable features: Plump and round; short  Present health condition: Laxmi’s weight is managed by charting out more exercise for her as well as more quantities of green vegetables and fodder Facility:[…]

With just a mere glance at Laxmi, one is overwhelmed by her sheer gigantic size that exceeds even elephantine proportions. While it might incite people to use adjectives like cute, cuddly, cushiony to describe her, our team understands the gravity of her extra weight. Prior to her rescue in 2013, Laxmi was a begging elephant in the bustling city[…]

Please sign our petition to help get justice for Laxmi —and for all of India's abused captive elephants! CLICK HERE TO SIGN. Note: This blog and petition are NOT about the elephant Laxmi at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre who was rescued from Maharasthra in 2013. As an organization that rescues and cares for abused,[…]

Laxmi was 18 years old when we first heard about her. She worked as a begging elephant in the state of Maharashtra, standing outside a temple with her companion elephant and begging for alms from the devotees that visited. Every day, as devotees thronged the temple, the two elephants would stand mournfully at the entrance, gingerly picking money[…]

Caring for elephants requires a periodic check of their weight. Here's our beloved Laxmi stepping up to the scale with confidence. In our "guess Laxmi's weight" sweepstakes last week, the hundreds of responses you submitted ranged from the petite (352 pounds) to the portly (23,000 pounds). But you can see the actual results for yourself here —[…]

Laxmi is an elephant that was rescued by Wildlife SOS in July of 2013.  She came to us morbidly obese and with medical issues resulting from years of neglect and mistreatment.  We have worked hard to help Laxmi recover from the many problems that were ailing her.  Some of her medical conditions will never heal.  Now, after Laxmi has adjusted[…]

By Resham Beri Laxmi, who was rescued by Wildlife in July 2013 from Mumbai, is now well settled in at the Elephant Rescue Center in Mathura,  She is a playful pachyderm and her health is improving.  She absolutely loves food and enjoys eating a variety of fruits.  Apples appear to be her favorite.  She tends to be a little territorial about[…]

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[…]

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[…]

Food passes through an elephant’s digestive tract slowly, and may take up to 24 hours to digest. Given the unnatural amount and variety of food that elephants in neglected captivity consume on a daily basis, it is not surprising that they often face grave digestive issues.  One of them is colic, which can become debilitating if left[…]

A father is one’s biggest role model. His guidance and hard work are inspiring aspects that define him. However, the qualities of a father can sometimes be found in someone you aren’t related to — one who teaches you responsibility and pushes you to be your best. A father figure could be the mentor who patiently imparts knowledge, a teacher […]

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 rare to see individuals emerge carefree and bubbly after enduring numerous harrowing challenges in their early lives. However, our beloved rescued pachyderm Chanchal, at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC), is a testament to her strength of spirit and resilience. Despite facing numerous hardships earlier in life, Chanchal is[…]

What comes first to your mind when you hear the word “endangered”? Well, the literal definition of this word is “in danger of completely disappearing”. In other words, this means threatened species on the list are at the risk of getting wiped off from the face of the Earth. However, despite the many measures taken around the world to[…]

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[…]

US Ambassador to India, Eric Michael Garcetti, and his family, recently visited the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) and the Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC) in Mathura, followed by the Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF) in Agra. Known to have been the youngest mayor of Los Angeles in the last 100 years, US diplomat Eric[…]

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 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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

Don’t you love the taste of fresh mangoes or juicy watermelons in summers? Well, you are not alone! While fruits are delicious treats for humans, fruit-eating animals love to bite into them too! But what if we told you that the relationship between animals and fruits is much deeper than we thought. Some scientists have suggested that the taste[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

We live in a world where screeching tires and shattering sounds of metal have taken over the harmony of the wild. In this unfortunate reality, wild animals often find themselves at the mercy of expanding human infrastructure and the roads connecting them. Massive vehicles are now predators in concrete jungles, and animals, big or small, often[…]

Animals are ingenious. If they weren’t, surviving in the wild would have been impossible for them. And we are here to talk about their smarts. The animal kingdom is overflowing with creativity, and sitting right at the top of the pyramid are Homo sapiens. Humans have creatively shaped, moulded and terraformed the Earth’s surface like no[…]

In the lush landscapes of India that many Asian elephants call home, a captivating tale of gastronomic delight unfolds. These majestic animals, with their massive bodies and gentle demeanour, have appetites as grand as their presence. India's forests provide a symphony of tastes to these elephants, from the succulent grasses that tickle their[…]

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[…]

Recently a video of a captive elephant consuming pani puri on the streets of Tezpur in north-east India’s Assam went viral. In the 35-second clip, the elephant is seen feeding on the famous fast food from a street vendor while a mahout is seen sitting atop the elephant. But this seemingly innocent and harmless video puts a garb on the[…]

At the point where two mighty rivers Ganga and Gandak converge, Asia’s largest cattle fair takes place — the Sonepur Mela. Though it was established way back during the Mauryan empire, Sonepur Mela continues to attract people from far and wide even today. Thousands gather every year to engage in the trade of cattle, which sometimes even[…]

Have you ever wondered how veterinarians are able to examine the age of an elephant? How is it that they look at this seemingly unchanging giant, that most of us think to be a “wise, old creature” and determine how many years it has lived? And why would they need to know the age of an elephant anyway? Many might say that one can determine[…]

Bamboo is one of the most important plant species in the world. In India, it is widely distributed over 15.69 million hectares of land. Of the nearly 148 species found here, most have been recorded from the north-eastern parts of the country. Bamboo grows at a fast rate, and is a vital resource. It is useful as food (fodder, pulp and edible[…]

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 […]

Today, Chanchal’s journey with us crosses the ten-year mark, as she happily celebrates her 10th rescueversary with us! Chanchal has been with Wildlife SOS through thick and thin, and she has seen the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre grow, and welcomed various new elephants to the Wildlife SOS family. This traumatized elephant suffered from […]

Every day at Wildlife SOS is a new and unpredictable ride, especially for the field team that is always working in close proximity to various species that inhabit our country! One moment Wildlife SOS veterinarians could be going through the diet plan for the resident bears at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility, and in the next they could be[…]

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 […]

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[…]

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[…]

Wildlife SOS has always been grateful for the dedicated support that it has garnered over the years from people across the world. Our team has been actively working towards the welfare of wild animals and human communities in need. We have rescued numerous wild animals and over 300 animals are in long term care at our rescue facilities all[…]

2021 has been a difficult year with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. While it continued to affect all aspects of our lives, the Wildlife SOS Rapid Response teams remained committed to the cause and responded to myriad wildlife rescue calls. To pay homage to our dedicated and hard-working teams, we are highlighting some of the most[…]

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[…]

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[…]

What do Coconut, Laxmi, Ramu and Zara share in common? Apart from the fact that they’re all rescued from traumatic conditions, they are all highly mischievous and the youngest residents of the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre. Learn all about how we care for the young elephants. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul[…]

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,[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

June 13, 2023 Throughout our Volunteering Program the health and well-being of you and our staff is paramount. Please be assured that we will follow current government recommended guidelines at all times, and we ask that you also do the same. Keeping our staff healthy ensures they can care for the many animals at our rescue centres. If you are […]

We are running out of space to care for new elephant rescues With the grand opening of India’s only dedicated elephant hospital in 2018, Wildlife SOS has become a beacon of hope for India’s elephants. As the number of pachyderm patients continues to grow at the Elephant Hospital, Wildlife SOS is planning for a future providing research and […]

Bijli, whose name means ‘lightning’ in Hindi, truly lives up to her name and is always keeping her companions and caregiver on their toes with her antics. This gentle giant has undertaken a journey of ten years to recover from a tumultuous past and has transformed into a strong, confident elephant. Here’s  celebrating the[…]

Considered the heart and soul of the Leopard Rescue Centre in Junnar, Maharashtra, Shivaji Modhe is the oldest member of the Wildlife SOS leopard care staff and has played an instrumental role in dedicating his entire life to the care of the majestic leopards. Presenting Shivaji Modhe, one of the first leopard caregivers at Wildlife SOS![…]

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[…]

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[…]

For Chanchal’s keeper, Manekchand, there was nothing but immense love for animals that guided him through his life. Six years ago, when Manekchand joined Wildlife SOS, he felt an instant connection with Chanchal as he would witness her splash around in her pool and give her dear friend, Bijli, tough competition for getting treats from her pipe[…]

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[…]

Our elephants have the chance at life once again, due to the care and compassion of our elephant keepers, who work day-in and day-out so that our elephants are comfortable and content. Of one such large-hearted man is Babu lal, Asha and Suzy’s keeper, who hails from a village near Palwal, Haryana and has dedicated their entire life into taking[…]

We’re so excited to introduce the new Elephant Tails Podcast from Wildlife SOS, where we bring you the intimate stories and behind-the-scenes perspectives with the people working to save India’s wildlife. In each episode we chat with staff, vets, leaders or advocates for wildlife, and take an in-depth look at interesting topics that[…]

Adorned with 118 names, the Wall of Dreams is dedicated to our supporters and donors, all over the world! [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Shirina Sawhney] Leaving behind a lifetime of abuse and neglect, our elephants do not just come to the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre for care and comfort, they come home, the home that they[…]

Year of rescue: 2010 Age at the time of rescue: 30 years old Sex: Female Personality traits: Lively Recognisable features: Symmetrical depigmentation on the border of both her ears; outwardly bent right hind leg Present health condition: Bijli receives medicated foot bath for her torn and delicate footpads and her injured[…]

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[…]

We owe a great deal of gratitude to our supporters across the globe for helping make 2019 a success for wildlife! Wishing you the best, from our HERD to yours! (Laxmi, Chanchal, and Bijli, enjoying their feast)[…]

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[…]

When we first spoke about Priyanka elephant in November of last year, we could only share a few pictures of her – blurred out or cropped – and tiny incomplete snippets of information. Talking about who she was, disclosing information or releasing her pictures in public would have been detrimental to her rescue, and would severely endanger the[…]

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[…]

It’s been around two weeks since Priyanka arrived at the safety of the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, Mathura, giving us some time to really get to know the delightful new elephant in our care. She seems to be taking her time settling in at her new home, and is still a little cautious when approached by new people, but this is[…]

Last week, we played host to Miss Universe Great Britain 2017, Anna Burdzy as she and her team spent two days volunteering at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation & Care Center and Agra Bear Rescue Facility in Uttar Pradesh to promote and spread awareness about wildlife conservation in India. Going beyond pageantry and a life of glamour,[…]

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[…]

March has been quite a star studded month for Wildlife SOS with Grammy winning musician Ricky Kej visiting our Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Center in Bangalore, followed by renowned Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan and his wonderful family making a trip to our Elephant Conservation & Care Center and Agra Bear Rescue Facility in Uttar Pradesh. They[…]

Earlier this month, we played host to Jaime Lee Faulkner-Miss Universe Great Britain 2016, who was on a four day tour to India and decided to pay a brief visit to our Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura. Going beyond pageantry and a life of glamour, Jaime is using her title to make a difference to the world by empowering young women, […]

Nestled in the busy Tajganj area of Agra, the Sheroes Hangout could be any other café in the area – beautifully painted, cozy and frequented by the numerous tourists that flock to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. But Sheroes isn’t like any other café. Run and managed entirely by a team of strong, dedicated women that have survived the brutality of […]

For captive elephants in India, space to roam is practically unimaginable. Tethered in the same place for hours, for many of them their lives are restricted to the inside of a circus tent, or the radius of the chain fixed firmly to their feet, that restricts even the most basic movement. Vast grasslands to forage on, crisscrossed with natural[…]

At Wildlife SOS, the elephants that we rescue are generally in such dire conditions when they arrive at our centre, with bodies riddled with abscess wounds, overgrown nails and multiple injuries. Veterinary treatment is an essential part of their recovery, but can often be painful or stressful for the animals, as well as dangerous for the vets and […]

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[…]

The United States Ambassador to India, Mr. Richard Verma, and his wonderful family stopped by the Agra Bear Rescue Facility and Elephant Conservation and Care Centre on Sunday to spend an entire day with the rescued animals on site. The Ambassador and his family started their visit by meeting the staff at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility and taking a […]

Suraj Pal has worked with Wildlife SOS for four years, acting as an elephant keeper at Wildlife SOS’ Elephant Care and Conservation Centre, Mathura. His understanding and respect for elephants is well-known among the staff at ECCC, and we thought we’d talk to him to find out a little more. How did you come to work for Wildlife SOS? I joined[…]

Suzy is a blind performing elephant that has suffered a lot of neglect at the circus where she was forced to perform. She was chained most of the time with little or no exercise. Suzy is approximately 60 years old and it is evident from her stereotypic behavior that she was subjected to mental torture and continuous chaining & confinement.[…]

1.) Now that you have launched the circus elephant campaign, does that mean you will only be helping elephants from circuses? No, circus elephants are our primary concern right now, however that does not mean that Wildlife SOS will no longer cater to the needs of rescuing and rehabilitating elephants other than circus elephants. In fact we are[…]

Tell us who you are and how you started working with Wildlife SOS? My name is Steve Koyle and I’m the Senior Elephant Keeper at the Phoenix Zoo.  I’ve been working with elephants for almost 13 years.  I had the honor of meeting Kartick and Geeta three years ago at an elephant conference in Oakland, CA.  I became inspired by the work of[…]

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[…]

New Delhi, INDIA (September 3, 2014) Chances are you either saw the video or heard the story of Raju the elephant, who was rescued this past July in Uttar Pradesh, India after being held captive for almost 50 years in chains. A court date has been set for September 11th to decide whether Raju should return back to his owner who abused and[…]

1.) I don't understand, I thought Wildlife SOS had legal custody of Raju. How can Mr. Shahid make claims to get him back? Wildlife SOS was given legal custody of Raju by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department through a court order. The man who previously claimed to own him, Mr. Shahid, has now gone to the court asking Raju to be returned to him.[…]

Raju was rescued a little over one month ago.  After 50 years in chains, he is now learning the joys of being free and is getting the love and care he deserves.  Here is a photo journal of some of these highlights. One of the first things Raju needed was veterinary care to the wounds that covered his body.  The wounds on his body were from[…]

by Suvidha Bhatnagar Wildlife SOS is proudly celebrating “Be Kind to Animals Week” from 5th May to 10th May. It was a tough call to select pictures and experiences from thousands of supporters worldwide. A boy named Rohan made this challange pretty easy for us. Rohan Joshua Woodcock is a 9 year old child who visited Wildlife SOS’s Elephant […]

By Kirsty Angus We first found out about Wildlife SOS through a fellow Australian traveller and then saw a 2 page spread about the organization and the amazing work they were doing in one of our newspapers in Melbourne. We stayed for 2 weeks which passed incredibly quickly.  From our very first day we felt fully welcome and a part of the[…]

By Amanjeet Kaur Captive elephants in India have a cruel history of being used for begging,  held in temples for 'blessings' or forced to perform in circuses.  Wildlife SOS is trying to improve the situation for these elephants by helping injured and sick elephants that are forced to work in oppressive conditions.  Wildlife SOS currently runs[…]

By Steffi Joseph Playful as ever, Chanchal has lived up to her name with her daily antics, winning hearts every day.  Our 17- year old is a water baby and spends much time rolling in the pond.Her name is just enough to bring a grin on the face of our vets and mahouts. Chanchal was rescued on the 30th of June, 2012 after a road accident in Noida.[…]

By Rakhee Sharma Aashiya comes from a poor Kalandar family.  There are 6 in her family and Aashiya is the oldest of four children. Aashiya's father previously used to 'dance bears.' However, he surrendered his bear to Wildlife SOS and now he is self employed earning an income by selling wood. Although neither Aashiya's father nor mother have ever […]