Search for: maya

Maya’s past remains to be a continuous reminder of the daily torture many innocent pachyderms have faced over numerous years. Despite the brutality shown to her, Maya has shown tremendous resilience ever since she arrived at Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) nearly 14 years ago. She had been a circus elephant, forced to stand on one[…]

People often talk about the bond two people share after going through a similar life-changing experience. For two resident elephants at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC), this is a fact of life they know too well. In this case however, their shared experience happens to be a traumatic one.  Maya, our approximately[…]

As one of our oldest and most experienced caregivers, Munna, gently calls out to Maya asking her to wait while he catches up and she immediately pauses in the middle of her step and lifts her trunk. Munna digs into his pockets and grabs a handful of peanuts to reward Maya for her cooperation and laughs to himself as they continue their walks[…]

“They say an elephant never forgets. What they don't tell you is, you never forget an elephant.” Anyone who meets Maya will heartily agree with the above statement. Once you interact with the exuberant pachyderm, it is impossible to forget her vivacity and joie-de-vivre. As she stands tall and proud munching on fresh, juicy sugarcane next[…]

Year of rescue: 2010 Age at the time of rescue: 35 years old Sex: Female Personality traits: Playful  Recognisable features: One of the tallest elephants under our care; lower set eyes  Present health condition: Healthy; frequent foot baths Facility: Elephant Conservation and Care Centre Favourite food: […]

A group of thirteen students from the Chinmaya International School volunteered at Wildlife SOS’ Agra Bear Rescue Facility and Elephant Conservation and Care Centre for a week towards the end of the last month. The students had at least two things in common- they were all from the twelfth standard and were incredibly passionate about wildlife.[…]

Asim has worked at Wildlife SOS’ Elephant Conservation and Care Centre for five years, since the rescue of his elephant, Maya. Over the years, we’ve noticed Aseem grow as an individual and seen the special bond he shares with Maya intensify and strengthen. We thought we’d ask him a little bit about his and Maya’s  journey with Wildlife[…]

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[…]

A remarkable day unfolded at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) in Mathura as it played host to a distinguished guest whose passion for wildlife conservation knows no bounds. Sandra Alvarado, Miss World Ecuador 2024, graced the sanctuary with her presence, embarking on a journey to learn, support, and champion the cause […]

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[…]

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[…]

'Phool' in Hindi refers to 'flower', while 'kali' means 'bud'. Phoolkali — the apple of her caregiver’s eye and a trusty matriarch for Maya and Emma — was indeed a flowering bud that was unfairly plucked off her family tree. Rather than being allowed to bloom in the pleasant surroundings of lush forests, Phoolkali grew up on dusty roads[…]

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[…]

There are many differences one can note while talking about wild animals and domesticated animals. The behaviour of wild animals is much more difficult to observe in their natural habitat, since it requires time, patience, knowledge, and sometimes, sheer luck. However, there are many researchers who spend their lives trying to find out the exact[…]

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[…]

With rising awareness on the importance of saving animals, the Rapid Response Units of Wildlife SOS in Delhi NCR, Vadodara, Agra and Jammu and Kashmir have received multiple calls for rescues during the first half of this year. From extracting reptiles stuck in small spaces, to giving the injured birds a chance to fly again — our dedicated team […]

What is trauma? Conveying a deeply disturbing or emotionally damaging experience with long-lasting psychological impact, trauma is regarded as a primary factor behind mental health issues. The word has been used as an anthropocentric concept for time immemorial. However, did you know that trauma can be experienced by different animals as[…]

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[…]

Suraj lived most of his life in a dark and damp room, with no opportunity to feel sunshine on his skin — which is ironic, considering his name translates to “sun”. Like many other Asian elephants in India, he lived his life as a temple elephant. The practice of having elephants at the temple is one that is interwoven deep within our[…]

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[…]

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[…]

While our Rapid Response Units across the country are busy running a tight ship with their rescues, it is time for us to bring you the monthly updates from August and the fruitful results of their indefatigable efforts. The Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region) helpline was flooded with bird rescue calls , whereas the one in Agra received several[…]

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[…]

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 […]

In the ancient epic of Ramayana, Jambavan, the divine king of bears, assists Rama in the battle against Ravana, the king of Lanka. Jambavan is represented in the scriptures as a Sloth bear or a black bear. Indeed, bears have roamed the dense forests of the Indian subcontinent long before human civilisations did. They are as ancient to the jungle[…]

The air was full of celebration and excitement (with a whiff of mango popsicles) at the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre on Saturday as the Wildlife SOS team celebrated the 16th rescue anniversary of three former ‘dancing’ bears. A special guest and long-time supporter of Wildlife SOS, actress Samyukta Hornad, graced the occasion with her[…]

As Mother's Day comes along, we would like to take the time to highlight some of the most loving and daring mothers found in India's jungles. These moms are ready to risk it all; be it carrying their young ones on their backs, nursing them despite the harshest conditions, or even fighting tooth and nail for their offspring's safety! Nature is[…]

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 […]

Love - a chemical and an arguably ephemeral experience, has dictated the ebbs and flows of society for centuries.  Infact one might argue that the euphoria of love and its constant desire has shaped human communities worldwide. Despite its importance, love eludes us, leaving even the greatest thinkers puzzled about its exact nature. Yet,[…]

One whole year has passed in the blink of an eye, and here we are, coming together to celebrate Emma’s first rescue anniversary. But it was all a very different story a year ago. When we found Emma, this 40-yea-old elephant had spent most of her life walking along busy streets from state to state, begging for alms, giving tourist rides and[…]

Like a tradition that binds a family together, Christmas has become an integral part of Wildlife SOS. As December commences, every Wildlife SOS Rescue center reverberates with rumblings of ideas to make Christmas a joyous and memorable occasion for our resident animals. This year our care teams in Maharashtra, Agra, Bangalore, and Mathura left no […]

Much like 2020, the uncertainty of COVID lockdowns and restrictions posed significant obstacles to overcome for our rescue teams. But these added challenges didn't slow our efforts to help as many captive elephants as we could, bringing four new members to the Wildlife SOS family. Please welcome Emma, Nina, Pari and Ginger! SUPPORT THE[…]

Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, was known for his love for children and animals; So much so that on the occasion of Nehru’s birthday, India observes a day dedicated to the nation’s children. Nehru’s attitude towards children was accurately captured in a letter he once wrote to the children of India. He said,[…]

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[…]

In the last 6 months, Wildlife SOS has worked tirelessly, round-the-clock to attend to distress calls for animals. The country plunged into another dark wave of COVID19, which lead to state-wise lockdowns. However, our rescue teams enlisted as "essential services" selflessly worked towards ensuring that the emergency calls are attended to,[…]

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,[…]

Did you know that the land where the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) stands today was in fact a mustard and potato farm? The 40-acre area was extensively used for agriculture leading to the degradation of the soil quality, until our efforts over the years to regenerate the property began. The Wildlife SOS team has been able to[…]

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[…]

For a newly rescued elephant, the initial months of adapting to a new environment are a difficult transition period. At Wildlife SOS, we prioritise the comfort and care of these elephants by allowing them the time they need to grow accustomed to this new life. Emma took her time to grow accustomed to the care and treatment we provided her[…]

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[…]

German Ambassador to India, Mr. Walter J. Lindner, recently visited the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Center in Mathura. Having previously served in Kenya, Seychelles, Venezuela and South Africa, the German Diplomat shares a profound passion for wildlife and music, having composed over five records throughout his career! German[…]

Winner: Xavi Barugh (8yrs old) At Wildlife SOS, we truly appreciate the effort put in by every volunteer associated with us. Each year to honor their work, we select a volunteer who receives the ‘Wildlife SOS Volunteer Award’ for their commitment to helping us save India’s wildlife.  We are pleased to announce that 8-year-old[…]

Emma loves resting under the shade of her enclosure and comfortably snoozes at any time of the day. Almost 3 months into her healing journey, Emma has now adjusted to life at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Center and we are slowly seeing more of her inquisitive personality. After giving Emma the time she needed for adjustment, […]

Following a whirlwind rescue operation to get Emma to safety at the start of the new year, we are  thrilled to celebrate her first month of freedom! Emma was forced to walk from one village to another by her owner. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak] Having embarked on a forty-hour long journey to reach the Elephant Hospital, our[…]

We at Wildlife SOS take immense pride in our young wildlife warriors. Their passion and dedication to helping conserve and safeguard nature are truly inspirational.  We take this opportunity to talk about young Xavi, an eight-year-old British schoolboy with learning difficulties who is spearheading a campaign in his school to support our[…]

In the aftermath of Jai's successful rescue in record time, we are embarking on a new mission. At the cusp of 2021, our team is on its way to save Emma, an approximately 40-years old elephant who needs our help. Emma’s feet are in terrible condition and she lies down at every chance she gets just to avoid the pain. We know it has been just a […]

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[…]

Every month, we receive hundreds of calls regarding urban wildlife in distress. To combat the rising number of conflict cases, Wildlife SOS operates a 24x7 emergency rescue helplines manned by our Rapid Response Team in three cities: Delhi NCR – +91-9871963535 Agra & Mathura in Uttar Pradesh – +91-9917109666 Vadodara, Gujarat – […]

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[…]

If you ever had the chance to visit our Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, other than our staff or a glimpse of our elephants on a walk, there is one more prominent and powerful voice that will welcome you – a loud and clear trumpet that tears through the composed calm of the Centre! For us all working at the Centres, we casually roll our[…]

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[…]

Grace emanates from her grand stature as she towers over most of our elephants as the tallest female elephant under our care at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, in Mathura. With perfect depigmentation on her trunk covering her round eyes hooded with long lashes, a beautiful pachyderm like Phoolkali rightly belonged in the[…]

Year of rescue: 2012 Age at the time of rescue: 55 years Sex: Female Personality traits: Jovial and playful Recognisable features: Perfectly symmetrical depigmentation over her eyes and her trunk, the tallest female elephant under our care Present health condition: Presently not undergoing any treatment; medicated foot bath of[…]

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[…]

In November 2018, Wildlife SOS inaugurated the country’s first Elephant Hospital in Mathura with state-of-the-art technology and equipment to provide relief to the elephants that are under our care and have been rescued from a past full of pain and neglect. Now, with about 30 elephants under our care, owing to the unwavering faith of supporters, […]

As Santa Claus found his way down the chimney awaiting some cookies and milk by the fireplace in houses all around the world, our teams at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility and Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, in Mathura, were no less than Santa as they donned bright red attires to bring Christmas home for our rescued elephants and bears. Like[…]

Wildlife SOS just opened India's very first Elephant Hospital! To us this is truly historic, a milestone not only for Wildlife SOS an organization, but more importantly for injured and ailing elephants throughout India, who can now get the care and love they need in a state-of-the-art facility. On Friday, November 16, a bevy of supportive[…]

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[…]

Last week, the elephants at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre had an incredibly special visitor drop by the rescue centre to visit them. Multiple Grammy award winning rapper, musician and songwriter Pharrell Williams stopped over at Agra to see the famed Taj Mahal during his whirlwind visit to India, and made sure to drop in[…]

Critically acclaimed Indian actor Adil Hussain, who also starred in the film ‘Life of Pi’ spent the weekend at Wildlife SOS’ Elephant Conservation & Care Center and Bear Rescue Facility in Uttar Pradesh and has extended his support to wildlife protection and conservation in India. Adil Hussain is a popular actor who works in mainstream […]

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[…]

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[…]

At Wildlife SOS, we’re used to being surrounded by an amazing herd of elephants, but the end of January found us in the midst of a rather colourful group of painted fibreglass elephant statues as Wildlife SOS geared up for the 2016 edition of its Art for Elephants fundraiser at none other than the India Art Fair! The India Art Fair, held[…]

The staff at Wildlife SOS spent their weekend surrounded by elephants a little different from the ones we are used to. More than sixty exquisite fibre glass elephants were on display at the Le Meridian Hotel, hand-painted by some of India’s finest artists, as part of a fundraiser for the wonderful animals in our care. The elephants started out[…]

by- Suvidha Bhatnagar Wildlife SOS is the first Indian organization to put their concern about the plight of captive elephants in entertainment & tourism into action. Four years ago the Mathura rescue centre in collaboration with Project Elephant and the Government of Uttar Pradesh was started, and our first experience of the trauma undergone[…]

by- Suvidha Bhatnagar Wildlife SOS witnessed a beautiful Christmas when children with special needs visited Elephant Conservation and Care Center, Mathura. Dr Kirti Joshi, a pediatric physiotherapist in coordination with Wildlife SOS brought  some of her young patients along with their family to show the rescued elephants under care of wildlife[…]

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[…]

By Kadambari Atri Recently, Wildlife SOS had organised it's first online auction fundraiser that started from 7th April and continued till 16th April 2014. The items available for auction included footprints of rescued leopards & elephants, decorative bags & scarfs made by Kalandar women and paintings from well-versed artists such as[…]

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 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[…]

By Aishuwarya Sudarshan Lakshmi, in Hindu mythology, is the goddess of wealth.  In India she is treated with respect and considered lucky for a house. Unfortunately, Lakshmi the elephant wasn’t lucky. She had spent more than 30 years of her life doing hard labor and being underfed.   The first time our intelligence team spotted[…]

By Aishuwarya Sudarshan On the morning of 29th June 2012 a very tragic accident was witnessed in Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi. A speeding truck hit two elephants walking without reflectors, killing one elephant and injuring the second elephant severely! The mahouts of both elephants were injured and the truck driver vanished from the crime[…]

Vinay Datla is the new volunteer coordinator for Wildlife SOS.  This is a new program for Wildlife SOS and we are excited to be launching it in March.  We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Vinay who will be heading up this program. Vinay, how did you get interested in working for Wildlife SOS? I recently graduated from[…]

By Dr. Mayank Rapid loss of biodiversity is a global phenomenon.  It is estimated that possibly half or more of the current species could be at risk of extinction in the near future. This loss of biodiversity is of critical concern.  An increasing amount of research indicates that diversity plays an important role in long term ecosystem[…]

I had been riding on trains, planes and taxis it felt for 72 hours straight. During these travels I felt that I had been unceremoniously stowed either in the overhead compartment or in my nylon duffle bag pressed up against the snake hooks. Therefore, I was feeling like I needed a petite elephant to walk across my back to help me unwind and[…]

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[…]

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[…]

  By Sharon St. Joan   During the monsoon, Jambavant can be found after a heavy downpour, walking along with the mud squishing between his toes.  He peers at the ground, waiting for bugs and termites to come up to the surface, and ants too! He enjoys having his fur all wet. For him the Agra Bear Rescue Facility, run by Wildlife[…]

Bhola the 45 year old male elephant came in with more injuries than some soldiers returning from battle. Hit by a truck, it was several months before he could recover from injuries to the trunk, spine, back and shoulders. Bhola was an overworked and starved elephant to begin with, a veritable cadaver, yet an elephant with a strong will to[…]