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Lights, glitter, and music of the circus fascinated many of us in our childhood. However, behind this spectacle was a sad reality for the animals involved, including elephants. These majestic pachyderms were reduced to mere objects of entertainment for people's pleasure. Calves were forcibly separated from their mothers and put through harsh[…]

A decade seems to have flown by a little too fast as we celebrate another elephant’s brave healing journey. These ten years not only signify the conclusion of cruelty and neglect for these gentle giants but also celebrate the establishment of the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre. In these ten years, we have given over 30[…]

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[…]

Year of rescue: 2010 Age at the time of rescue: 30 years old Sex: Male Personality traits: Mostly gentle but aloof and doesn’t like interference Recognisable features: Blunt, medium sized tusks capped with gold Present health condition: He is healthy; dietary supplements to boost his internal strength are given in[…]

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 […]

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[…]

Dental health isn't just a concern for humans; it plays a crucial role in the well-being of all rehabilitated animals. From brushing and flossing to prevent cavities, to addressing bacterial films on teeth, proper oral care is essential. Beyond dental implications, good oral health positively influences overall welfare as well, as bacteria[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

One man’s auspicious occasion becomes another animal’s bane. As the country regards the divinity of Lord Shiva, it is ironic that one of the animals associated with the deity bears the brunt of his worship. Yes, we are talking about snakes, or the nagas. In the months of July and August, Wildlife SOS teamed up with the Uttar Pradesh Forest[…]

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[…]

Elephants, often regarded as majestic creatures, possess more than just their imposing size and graceful presence. These gentle giants also demonstrate an impressive array of cognitive abilities that continue to astonish researchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. From their social structures to their exceptional memory and problem-solving[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

Temperatures soaring to nearly 50 degrees centigrade (122F), every human across India is facing the brunt of this brutal summer! The summer months can be uncomfortable—even dangerous—for animals and people. It's difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone humidity. To avoid things from getting intense and to make our[…]

Hailing from the rich cultural heritage town of Puttukottai in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Ilayaraja Selvaraj has been an integral part of the Wildlife SOS family for the past 18 years. He is presently the Deputy Director of Veterinary Operations and Research at Wildlife SOS. Dr. Ilayaraja’s unmatched zeal and his larger-than-life attitude make him one of[…]

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[…]

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[…]

There’s a story behind every beautiful picture and every action packed video on the Wildlife SOS website and social media – and at the centre of that story is a photographer putting himself in some rather unruly positions to give the world a glimpse into the lives of our rescued animals and the work we do. Mradul Pathak has been a photographer […]

Sonu joined Wildlife SOS seven years ago, when his elephant Rajesh was rescued from the circus and brought to our Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, the first tusker in our care. As part of Wildlife SOS’ holistic approach to conservation and rescue, the elephant’s former mahouts are offered jobs at our centres to not only provide them an[…]

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 […]

Rescued in December 2015 from a lifetime of abuse and negligence as a confined temple elephant in Satara, Maharashtra, Suraj, the 45 year old one –eared tusker is now on a steady road to recovery in his new home at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) in Mathura. When the Wildlife SOS Rescue team first found him, they were[…]

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[…]

Located in Agra, adjacent to our bear rescue centre, is a piece of land we call Elephant Conservation and Care Center. There, several elephants who used to spend their days doing hard work in often harsh conditions, are living out their retirement years in peace and safety. No longer forced to bear heavy loads, or walk on hot pavement, these[…]

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 Rajesh Bhavsar This is a photo gallery of a 13 ft. that was rescued in Gujarat in the early morning hours.   One of the rescuers climbed to the ceiling to drop a rope down that was used to secure the mouth.   The rest of the body was then immobilized so that it would be ready to be transported out safely.   The crocodile was removed from […]

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 Jordan Schaul A day after the International Day for Biological Diversity was celebrated worldwide, our growing herd of rescued elephants at our facility in Agra, not far from the ABRF, received some special visitors from from Yes Bank. They arrived eager to plant some ornamental plants to not only beautify the elephant grazing and exercise[…]

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[…]

In a daring operation involving several vehicles and a daylight chase and ambush through the streets of Delhi NCR Gurgoan area, notorious poacher BHEEMA BAWARIA was arrested red handed with a tiger skin, tiger bones (an entire skeleton), two live turtles and ivory.   This was a joint operation conducted by NGO Wildlife SOS, NTCA, Haryana[…]