Search for: 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 […]

The sight of Nina, a geriatric female elephant who is over 60 years old, speaks to us, telling us stories that we wish were untrue. Currently under the care of Wildlife SOS at its Elephant Hospital Campus in Uttar Pradesh, Nina's life was that of a begging elephant – a harrowing one that spanned 60 long years. Like Nina, the fate of many[…]

One whole year has passed since Nina was brought under Wildlife SOS’ long-term care at the treatment unit at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, Mathura. When we first saw her, Nina’s weak body could hardly bear the crushing weight of the heavy saddle fitted atop her protruding spine. Nina’s days were filled with torment as she was[…]

The elephants under our care at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Rescue Centres have a routine charted out for them to suit their needs. Their caregivers are always around to ensure that the elephants are comfortable and never stressed. Just like all our elephants, Nina also has a routine that she's steadily settling into and in fact, now eagerly awaits […]

The rescue and rehabilitation of an ailing elephant lays the foundation of their first steps to freedom in a new, kinder life. These elephants have been reduced to mere commodities their whole life, being worked to a breaking point in spite of suffering from a host of serious diseases. In the month of June, our team saved the life of one such[…]

Quietly walking around her enclosure and taking relaxing dust baths, the past one month has been life-altering for Nina, to say the least. One month ago, Nina’s life was completely different; an anxious, ailing elephant who had just arrived at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital, with a host of chronic issues causing her discomfort and[…]

As a colourful chalk reaches dangerously close to her damaged eyes, she flinches a little at the odd feeling but cannot step away from it. Shortly after, ornate garbs are placed over her weak and emaciated body and a heavy saddle is fitted atop her protruding spine. This has been Nina’s reality for many years now—an elephant reduced to a mere […]

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

Nina's right rear leg joints appear to be fused. [Photo (c) Wildlife SOS] May 25, 2021 - We don’t know how long it’s been since Nina was allowed to rest. Her work never stops. Blind, elderly, severely malnourished, and suffering from injuries, arthritis and fused joints in her legs, she has been forced to keep going. The sharp stab of a[…]

It has been another monumental year for Wildlife SOS.  As we look back on 2023, we both celebrate the many achievements you have helped us make on behalf of wildlife and we use the experiences to help guide us to be more effective in 2024 and beyond. This year began with a heroic coordinated effort to save an elephant named Moti, which[…]

Today, numerous animals require rescuing from various situations. As an organisation that actively runs and manages over 10 rescue centres across the country, it is no surprise that each of our facilities is a sanctuary to many animals that are under the long-term care of Wildlife SOS. Animals staying in captivity for a long period of time[…]

Colossal animals are often associated with giant myths and misconceptions. Little is known about their traits and behaviour. Elephants are the largest land mammals but have been misused in captivity for various nefarious activities that have grossly affected their health. It’s about time we equip ourselves with the right knowledge and[…]

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[…]

All sentient beings deserve to live a life free of cruelty and torment. As poaching and animal abuse plague the voiceless inhabitants of Earth, it becomes increasingly necessary to speak up for their rights. With that very aim, Wildlife SOS in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department conducted the "Wildlife Crime Enforcement and[…]

As one of the first Indian wildlife charities to reach over a hundred thousand subscribers on YouTube, Wildlife SOS has been awarded the Silver Play Button. This Creator Award from YouTube is a testament to the organisation's efforts to promote its cause on the well-known video-sharing website. The YouTube Silver Play Button was awarded to[…]

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[…]

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

Just like summers, the onset of winters requires special and unique arrangements as the rescued animals under our care have to brace for changes in the weather. Northern parts of India get especially bone-chilling and the various Wildlife SOS rescue centres, therefore, have to pull all the tricks out of their hats for the animals to remain[…]

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[…]

As the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi approaches us, it is imperative to talk about the plight of elephants in India. Lord Ganesh is a symbol of strength and wisdom, revered by many in India. His influence stretches widely across the country; with many holding elephants in high regard and treating them like gods. Despite the respect and love that[…]

Today, more than ever, our lives are saturated with media. Guiding our way through life,  mass media has become an integral and powerful source of information. Whether it may be through films, TV shows, or videos, mass media has a long history of influencing and informing people's behaviour, sometimes for the better, but often with a[…]

Eyes are windows to the world. For numerous captive Asian elephants, these windows are shattered, leaving them wholly dependent on humans for lifelong care. Over the years, as Wildlife SOS has and continues to rescue injured, crippled, or geriatric elephants from various stressful situations, the most common problem plaguing captive elephants[…]

In 1903 Thomas Edison made a 60-second film aptly titled "Electrocuting an Elephant." The black and white film showcased the brutal electrocution of Topsy,  an Asian elephant that could no longer be managed by her owners. Her entire life, Topsy was a circus elephant used as a mere prop for the entertainment of humans. Even in her death, Topsy[…]

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[…]

Throughout the year Wildlife SOS has been fortunate to receive support from nearly 200 supporters who have started their very own fundraising campaigns for wildlife using Facebook’s fundraising tools. We’re incredibly grateful to each and every person who dedicated their birthday, wedding, holidays, or special occasion to wildlife by[…]

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[…]

Beyond our high profile rescues, Wildlife SOS is frequently making the news. This year alone there have been over 200 separate stories about Wildlife SOS that made it into the media worldwide. Here is a selection of 5 different headlines that highlighted the organization. These stories show the variety of ways Wildlife SOS works to help animals.[…]

A modern-day bear’s adaptation is a unique journey of evolution and indeed a fascinating one. Their initial evolution began about 40 million years ago, from small carnivorous mammals. However, it was only about 20 million years ago that the first identifiable bear, Ursavus elmensis, also known as the dawn bear roamed the earth. These bears had[…]

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[…]

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,[…]

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a business approach involving the concept of sustainable development to the corporate world. It is also often referred to as business responsibility and an organization’s action on environmental, ethical, social and economic issues. The term CSR itself came into common use in the early 1970s. However, […]

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,[…]

World Environment Day is a day to celebrate life and to take action towards restoring our planet. This year's World Environment Day theme was Ecological Restoration, which means taking a strong initiative to prevent, reverse and put a stop to practices that exploit nature. A healthy ecosystem can immediately enhance the lives of several […]

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 […]

In the current issue of Open, author Ninad D. Sheth explores the issue of poaching in India. Co-founder of Wildlife SOS, Kartick Satyanarayan, is quoted in the article. An excerpt: There are those who think that the only good tiger is a dead tiger. At least two tigers in Corbett over the past one month and two more just last week in Ranthambore […]