Wild Perspective: What’s Changed Since Raju’s Rescue?

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[…]

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Addressing The Elephant In Our Hearts: Raju’s 10th Year Of Freedom!

Elephants, along with cetaceans and great apes, are regarded as some of the most intelligent and social animals on Earth. Widely known for their cognitive skills and emotional sensitivity, Asian elephants live in tightly-knit herds. Calves enjoy the company of their mother, aunts, and older siblings for the formative years of their life. Now[…]

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Raju’s Seventh Year Celebrated With A Surprise!

The Wildlife SOS Field of Dreams witnessed an unusual amount of activity on the morning of 4th of July, this year. It turns out our elephant care staff was counting days to this grand day of celebration when they would organize a surprise feast for one of our beloved elephants— Raju! Seven years ago, everyone was moved to tears with Raju’s[…]

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Staff Profile Of The Month – Lavanya Raju

Lavanya takes a walk with Chanchal at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre. Lavanya Raju is the Director of Finance and Administration based in our small Utah, USA office. She joined Wildlife SOS in 2015. You can often find Lavanya working closely with our supporters on questions about their monthly donations, estate[…]

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Raju Celebrates Six Glorious Years Of Freedom At Wildlife SOS!

Imagine spending your whole life in shackles, both mental and physical – never being allowed to exit the length of the chain that binds you, never allowed to roam freely under the open skies and most importantly, never even knowing your family for decades and decades. Now imagine being poked with spikes every time you take a step, having small[…]

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Raju

Year of rescue: 2014 Age at the time of rescue: 50 years old Sex: Male Personality traits: Reserved and gentle Recognisable features: Tuskless (makhna) Present health condition: Undergoing treatment for chronic hip abscess with regular cleaning and dressing with antiseptic ointment Facility: Treatment Unit at[…]

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Our ‘Gentle Giant’ of the Month: Raju

When one decade of abuse seems like a lifetime, imagine the trauma of five decades of unimaginable level of abuse, cruelty and neglect, waking up each day with a yell and then being dragged on to the unforgiving streets of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh for begging. Raju had already lived 50 years of abuse, brutal training, disciplining and breaking[…]

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Celebrating 5 years of kindness with Raju

Come July and the eager anticipation of the monsoon showers marks the everyday mood of life in India. The rejuvenating raindrops bring the much-needed respite to the tired and withered souls from the harsh summers. Everybody collectively heaves a sigh of relief and rekindles their spirit. After facing nearly five decades of cruelty and suffering,[…]

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Update on Raju – Two Years Without Tears

Two years ago, Raju was a begging elephant. His gaunt, emaciated frame, riddled with scars from garish wounds, was held up by limbs weakened from overwork and neglect. He walked along hot, tarred roads for hours on end, his owner sitting atop him, as he lumbered sadly through dirty, polluted and sometimes crowded roads, begging with an[…]

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The Untold Part of the Raju Story

All around the world, people know the story of Raju, the courageous elephant who stole our hearts when he wept during his rescue. However, what most people don't know is on that hot night in July, 2014, there were supposed to be two elephants freed. Yes, two! Planning had started weeks before to rescue two elephants simultaneously, Raju and[…]

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Raju’s health status 6 months after rescue

It has been almost 6 months since you made it possible for us to rescue Raju. We wanted to give you an update on how he is doing. Many of the dozens of wounds that were covering his body have healed. He still has a large one on his front leg that has not completely healed, but has closed about 50%. The medical issue that is the most challenging[…]

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Raju to Remain Free!

When Raju was rescued in July, 2014, his story caught fire and was covered by major news outlets around the world. After 50 years of brutality, and as many as 27 "owners", Raju was finally free. But then, just a few short months later, the man from whom we had taken Raju, Mr. Shahid, filed court papers in an attempt to get him back. We were[…]

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Raju Learns New Skills

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[…]

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Raju’s Court Case Postponed Yet Again

Raju's case was not listed today at Allahabad High Court but is now likely to be heard on the 3rd of November. We understand that you might be frustrated with the delays but we request you to kindly understand that there isn't anything we can do to control this. Our lawyers are confident and ready for the case whenever it is finally heard! In the […]

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More Delays in Raju’s Court Case

We just wanted to share with you that Raju's court case has now been delayed until October 27.  There isn't any stated reason for the delay.  We will be ready when the case is finally heard.  Thank you for your support.[…]

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Raju’s Life After Rescue

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[…]

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Raju’s court case delayed

For those of you awaiting news and the outcome for Raju's court case, please note that his case is now scheduled to be heard September 22.  We will post immediately following the court hearing.  Thank you to everybody who is writing to us expressing your love and concern for Raju.  We are ready and confident that we will win.[…]

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Helping Raju: The Power of One

Right after Raju's rescue happened, those of us at Wldlife SOS were extremely touched by the overwhelming support that came in from around the world to help Raju. One day in July, somebody started the conversation on Facebook that a benefit concert should happen for Raju. Barbara immediately jumped into the conversation and offered to make a[…]

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FAQ for RAJU

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.[…]

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Raju needs your voice

Raju has suffered 50 years of unimagineable cruelty. Two months ago, the world worked together to set him free. But it turns out his awful past is not fully behind him. The cruel person who denied him even the most basic comforts has just filed papers in court to get him back. Be his voice and stand up for his freedom!We will post an FAQ soon of[…]

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Raju is making friends and having fun

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[…]

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Raju t-shirts are now available

Following the rescue of Raju, there was a high demand for Raju t-shirts.  We took in the recommendations and requests by our supporters and we are now offering several Raju t-shirt designs.  If you are interested in helping Raju, then purchase a t-shirt today.  Wildlife SOS receives a percentage of the proceeds for every item purchased. Most of […]

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Raju Freed After 50 Years In Chains

After fifty long years of being chained and leading a life of suffering, Raju was freed in the early hours of the morning on 4th July 2014 by Wildlife SOS, a Delhi based NGO. For the first time after five decades, he is having his first day of freedom. It is an interesting coincidence that 4th July happens to be America’s independence day! Raju[…]

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Raju’s Journey to Freedom- A Photo Journal

We don't have a lot of information about Raju's earlier life.  We believe he was probably born in the wild almost 50 years ago and when he was just a baby, caught and sent to live his life as a working elephant.  He has spent almost 50 years in chains and most likely would have died never known freedom.  However, on July 4th, Raju took his[…]

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Raju awaits freedom

We have some great news, there is now a court order that is allowing for us to finally rescue an elephant by the name of Raju.  We need your help to raise the funds to take care of rescuing him and providing him with the intense rehabilitation and care he will need. Here is a little bit of information about him.  Raju is approximately 45-50[…]

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UK Fundraiser Focus!

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[…]

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Importance Of Tusk Maintenance In Elephants

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[…]

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Wild Highlights Of The Year – 2023!

The year 2023 brought multiple occasions, events and highlights at Wildlife SOS which left a mark on everyone’s hearts. From rescues of wild animals from extreme situations to the introduction of new animals at our centres, we saw it all! Here’s a glimpse of some of our biggest achievements throughout the year.  1. Empowering[…]

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Jai Wins Long Legal Fight For Freedom!

Wildlife SOS is thrilled to announce that after a nearly three-year legal battle, Jai is truly free! The images of Jai before his December 2020 rescue will haunt us forever. His condition was heart-wrenching, with severe untreated wounds on his legs inflicted by cruel spiked chains. Almost as shocking, after Jai’s rescue a flurry of legal[…]

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Health Challenges Faced By Rescued Animals At Wildlife SOS

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[…]

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Fruitful Rescues! Frugivores Saved By Wildlife SOS

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[…]

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Facts Puncture Myths Surrounding Earth’s Gentle Giants

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[…]

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Bear Diary: Adit, The Last ‘Dancing’ Bear!

Hailing from the Mughal era, the tradition of 'dancing' bears was once a thriving practice that was passed down from generation to generation among the Kalandar community. As time progressed and the royal era declined, the Kalandar community had to take this practice to the streets in order to sustain their livelihood. While the community[…]

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Animal Creativity On Display At Wildlife SOS!

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[…]

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Summer Falls: Rescuing Animals From Open Wells

As the scorching heat of summer envelops India, a silent struggle takes place deep within the heart of landscapes that were once heavily forested. While being a vital source of water, open wells have become treacherous traps for wild animals — from elusive jackals and majestic leopards to misinterpreted hyenas and venomous[…]

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Jackal And Cobra Trapped Together In An Open Well, Rescued From Maharasthra!

An unforeseen danger in the form of an open well, in the Rajuri Village of Maharashtra forced an unlikely duo to make an uneasy truce. Farmers were overwhelmed to find a golden jackal trapped inside a 25-foot-deep well. However, this jackal was not alone. It was accompanied by the highly venomous Indian cobra, also caught inside the well. The[…]

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Staff Profile – Sonam Sambharya

Sonam, Account Officer at Wildlife SOS, has a heart-to-heart chat with us about her work and her experiences as a part of the Wildlife SOS team! With over eight years of experience under her belt, Sonam is now a veteran at this organisation. What do you do at Wildlife SOS? How long have you been here? I mainly work with everything that[…]

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A Tail of Torture: Common Tail Injuries In Rescued Elephants

Elephants under the care of Wildlife SOS suffer from trauma and wounds due to their tragic past of cruelty and abhorrent living conditions. Long periods of negligence, limited space for movement, little or no veterinary care and malnutrition lead to bodily harm. Elephants are found with various physical injuries such as infected wounds,[…]

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5 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Every Day!

In the year 1970, an environmental consciousness that had long been brimming in the minds of people reached its culmination, specifically in the United States. Perturbed by the Santa Barbara Oil Spill of 1969,  activists mobilized to create environmental regulations, policies, and general awareness. The first Earth Day was organized by[…]

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Volunteer Recognition Day – An Occasion To Celebrate The Unsung Heroes

One community which NGOs have relied upon almost always, are the ones who participate without expecting anything in return. It is an act of pure selflessness. We are referring to volunteers, and it seems Volunteer Recognition Day, which falls on April 20, is the perfect occasion to celebrate their willingness and dedication. People, no matter[…]

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Communities On The Frontline Of Conservation

Community-based conservation (CBC) is a method without which most of the things in the world of conservation cannot be achieved. From the hilly villages of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh in the western Himalayan landscape, to the forest fringe villages in the mangrove landscape of the Sundarbans in West Bengal, wherever you go, no conservation[…]

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Rescued And Reunited: A Leopard Cub From Maharashtra

After successfully reuniting several leopard cubs in the past month, Wildlife SOS is relieved to announce another fortunate mission. A 3-month-old female leopard cub was recently spotted in a sugarcane field of Rajuri Village, Junnar, Maharashtra. Local farmers harvesting sugarcane from the fields made this observation. Being aware of the need to […]

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How Children Can Revolutionize Wildlife Conservation?

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,[…]

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Planned Giving

Imagining the Futurefor Wildlife When you leave a legacy or planned gift in your will to Wildlife SOS, you’re helping to ensure a future of wildlife conservation and rescue. Because of your generous support, Wildlife SOS is making great positive changes in the protection of India’s elephants, bears, leopards and other precious wildlife.[…]

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Socialisation Of Rescued Elephants At Wildlife SOS

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,[…]

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What Should You Do When You Find An Animal in Distress?

To preserve a healthy ecological balance on our planet, human beings need to come together to protect our wildlife. Each species serves its own unique purpose in the food chain. As time moves forward, we’ve had to adapt to our current climate. Rapid urbanisation and habitat modification redefined the lines between cities and forests. Our[…]

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Staff Profile Of The Month: Suvidha Bhatnagar

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[…]

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Elephants Beat The Heat In Jumbo Pools

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[…]

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Wildlife SOS Volunteer Awards: ‘Rising Star’ Category

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[…]

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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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Staff Profile Of The Month: Dr Arun A Sha

Dr Arun A Sha has been working with Wildlife SOS since 2004. A strong proponent of the need for establishing alternate methods of livelihood for the Kalandar community that was involved in the 400-year-old ‘Dancing Bear’ practice, Dr Arun has been extremely vocal about the need for a holistic approach towards ending the practice, instead of[…]

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8 Year Old Xavi’s Fundraiser For Elephants

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[…]

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Healing Wounds With Compassion and Comfort at Wildlife SOS

The heartbreaking sight of a wounded elephant walking in pain along busy highways and narrow streets is the most prominent sign of abuse and ignorance that can be represented. Many people firmly believe that the elephant, whose body hosts chronic, infected wounds and abscesses, is actually well taken care of but the reality is far from what is[…]

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Giving Tuesday – Monumental “Then and Now” Images

A huge thank you from Wildlife SOS for all your Giving Tuesday 2020 support! We shared some striking "then and now" videos and images that really demonstrate the impact we've all made in these beautiful animals' lives. If you missed them on our Facebook and Instagram pages, you can see them here. If you would like to support Wildlife SOS[…]

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How To Identify An Elephant In Distress?

Elephants are social and sentient beings that express pain, joy, discomfort and anger just like humans. As a traveler, you might not know that captive elephants that are used for begging, riding, parades, weddings or processions go through horrific training methods in order to be ‘tamed’. Repeated thrashings, starvation, prodding of[…]

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Surreal Splash for Our Rescued Pachyderms!

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[…]

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Five Reasons Why You Should Never Ride Elephants If You Love Them!

There are countless reasons why you shouldn’t ride elephants.  Here are just 5 of our top reasons why you shouldn’t ride an elephant.  If you still aren’t convinced, please write to us at info@wildlifesos.org, and we will answer your questions.   Elephants- in order to make them ready for humans to ride means they[…]

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Petitions: Your Voice and Action Makes an Impact!

At Wildlife SOS, we believe a great way to affect change is to create petitions, combine our voices, and demand action. We are often asked if petitions really make a difference. “Do petitions work?” The answer is absolutely “yes!” Many of the petitions you signed have saved lives and brought justice for animals. These petitions have also[…]

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Become a Wildlife SOS Ambassador for #GivingTuesdayNow

#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Wildlife SOS is not immune to the impacts of this pandemic. The costs of food and medical supplies in India have skyrocketed as a result. These items are desperately needed in order for[…]

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Dedicated to everyone who made our Dreams a Reality – the Wall of Dreams!

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[…]

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Unsung Heroes, Wildlife SOS Caregivers Stand Strong Amidst Corona Crisis

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[…]

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Diligent Keeper of the Month: Jay Prakash!

A known and loved face in the Wildlife SOS Agra Bear Rescue Facility, Jay Prakash has been taking care of the bears at Enclosure no. 10 from the last 11 years. Jay Prakash took care of cattle in his village from a very young age, and that is what made him realise his unmatched love for animals. He joined Wildlife SOS in 2008, and has loved working […]

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Join our founders for the 3rd Annual Tusk of the Town!

Wildlife SOS presents the 3rd annual Tusk of the Town in Salt Lake City, Utah Join Wildlife SOS co-founders Kartick and Geeta for an unforgettable evening to benefit elephants! Features: • Indian dinner buffet from Saffron Valley • Signature cocktails from Five Wives Vodka and delicious ele-themed beer from Red Rock Brewery • Virtual[…]

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Drawing a Curtain on the Age-Long Practice of Dancing Bears

Tracing back to the 16th century, the barbaric dancing bear trade was extensively prevalent across the Indian subcontinent. Initializing with poaching the cubs from the wild by killing their protective mothers, the bear cubs were consequently subjected to a series of harsh processes. Entrapped by the shackles of poverty and lack of education, the[…]

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Built It and They Are Coming: First Residents Arrive at the Field of Dreams!

Dreams can become reality — and our elephant Field of Dreams is officially open! It's been a long two years acquiring the land, building out the big elephant enclosures, sculpting the nature trails, and so on, but finally, this past weekend, the Field got its first two permanent residents: Raju and Gajraj! As of now they are busily exploring[…]

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Bear Of The Month: Michael Oreo

Michael Oreo was only three years old when he and three other sloth bears were rescued in an anti-poaching operation carried by Wildlife SOS in Jharkhand in 2013. The poachers were attempting to sell the bears in Nepal where the barbaric practice of ‘dancing bears’ is still legal. Deprived of a nutritious and healthy diet, he was thin and[…]

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Everything You Need To Know About ‘Musth’!

What is musth?Musth is a completely natural phenomenon seen in healthy adult bull elephants, both tuskers and makhnas (tuskless bulls). Generally characterised by the secretion of a hormone rich substance called temporin from the temporal gland (on either side of the elephant’s head) and a steady trickle of urine down the back legs of the[…]

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DPS Agra Students Spend A Day With Our Elephants

Education in any form is incomplete if limited to theory and text-book memorisation, its greatest value lying in the wholesome and comprehensive learning that only practical experiences can provide. At Wildlife SOS, we understand the importance of sensitising children to environmental problems and animal welfare and educating them about[…]

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A Webinar With Our Senior Veterinarian, Dr. Yaduraj

Two years ago, on the fourth of July 2014, Dr. Yaduraj Khadpekar knelt down near a massive bull elephant, and with the care and precision of the fantastic veterinarian he is, gently cut the spiked chains cutting into the elephant’s legs – the very chains that had held this amazing animal captive for more than fifty years. The entire rescue was […]

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Direct Connect! Why We Love Text Updates

Two years ago we started offering text updates in the United States, and we’ve loved the ability to instantly connect with our supporters when something really timely is taking place. The texting program was set up just before Raju’s rescue. Because it was so new, fewer than 100 people received a text notification that Raju was safe and on[…]

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Ever Since Suzy: Continuing our Circus Elephant Campaign

05th February2015. Everything around her was darkness. She could hear scuffling, urgent whispers, and the low rumble of a large vehicle pulling up beside her. She could feel hands on her tiny body, reassuring her and easing off the chains that held her in place. But she couldn’t see anything, it was all dark. The hands felt unfamiliar but[…]

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Going Once… Going Twice….

The sight of Raju taking a dip in his pool gives optimism to elephant lovers around the world. For many, getting to India to see Raju’s new life of freedom first-hand is difficult, so for this touching scene to be captured in print is an extraordinary gift. The photo of Raju in his pool is just one of the amazing auction items for “Bid to Be[…]

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Putting An End To The ‘Dancing Bear’ Practice.

In a dusty bylane, sandwiched between two rickety houses, a shaggy black figure ambles behind a man, dragged along the street by a thick, coarse rope. A crowd of villagers gathers around the animal, a sloth bear, as it enters a small clearing, and the duo stop walking. The rope, strung through the crudely pierced muzzle of the bear is yanked[…]

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Mia & Sita; The Newest Members Of Wildlife SOS’ Family!

Side-by-side on their shed’s cemented ground, legs restrained painfully, the two elderly female elephants cut a pitiable figure. Wildlife SOS senior veterinarian, Dr. Arun A. Sha, approaches Sita, the older of the two, and strokes her trunk gently before proceeding to examine her feet. Sita’s right front limb is outstretched awkwardly, the[…]

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Celebrating International Artists Day!

With the dab of a paintbrush or the stroke of a pencil, an artist brings to life an elephant breaking free from its chains or a sloth bear in slumber. As the artwork travels across the globe, exchanging hands and lending its colours to homes, galleries and offices, the story behind the picture spreads with it. People learn about Raju- the elephant […]

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Animals With Arthritis

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[…]

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US Ambassador To India, Mr. Richard Verma & Family, Visits Wildlife SOS Centers

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 […]

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Thank You To Our Fabulous Fundraisers!

When Wildlife SOS rescued Raju the elephant from fifty years of abuse as a working elephant, the response we got from the rest of the world was completely unexpected. With the rescue video going viral and Raju’s heartbreaking story touching lives everywhere, the love and support that poured in from around the world was a heartwarming surprise to […]

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Mohan – Frequently Asked Questions

We've been taking note of the questions you are asking about Mohan, and have drafted the answers below to help bring more clarity to his current situation. Thank you for having an interest in Mohan, and for supporting our efforts to rescue him. What is Mohan’s history? Mohan has been chained up and used as a working elephant since he was a[…]

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Don’t Miss the Spring Auction, April 16th-23rd

Our Spring auction is just around the corner, and you don't want to miss the chance to bid on our unique items! After all, where else can you find authentic elephant footprints, beautiful wildlife jewelry, signed Bette Midler memorabilia, original artwork featuring Raju, and the chance to name a rescued bear cub, all in one place? The 'Bid to be […]

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Cool new Wildlife SOS Merchandise for Sale

Thanks to a partnership with Arm the Animals, we are proud to offer some great new products you can purchase to support our rescue work and to show your love for Raju, Suzy, and the whole Herd of Hope. Check out a few of the products in the images below, and find the rest on the Arm the Animals store.  […]

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FAQ for Circus Elephant Campaign

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[…]

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Working with Elephants

Steve Koyle is the Senior Elephant Keeper at the Phoenix Zoo. We asked him a bit about his job, as well as about the work he has done with the Wildlife SOS elephants: Many people would consider working with elephants to be a dream job. How did you end up doing what you do? Working with elephants is truly a dream job. As a young kid growing up, I[…]

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Top 10 Animal Rescues of the Year 2014

This past year has been an eventful one. We have achieved many victories and conducted successful rescue operations in an attempt to conserve wildlife and educate people on how to deal with wildlife encounters. To coexist with wildlife peacefully is a virtue as human development progressively encroaches on wildlife habitat which in turn increases[…]

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Rescuing India’s 67 Remaining Circus Elephants

PRESS RELEASE After eradicating the brutal, centuries-old practice of dancing bears in India, Wildlife SOS is now ready to take the first steps toward rescuing all of the remaining 67 circus elephants in India. In the first phase of this campaign, Wildlife SOS plans to facilitate the rescue of 17 elephants. Wildlife SOS is launching a[…]

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Newest Member Of The Wildlife SOS Family, Lilly!

Following the iconic midnight rescue operation of ‘Raju’ Elephant, carried out by Delhi based NGO - Wildlife SOS, it was now Lilly’s turn for freedom, a 35 years old female elephant who was freed from her shackles by a team from Wildlife SOS and the Haryana Forest Department. Like most wildlife rescue operations, this effort also concluded[…]

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Your Pet Can Help Elephants

September 8th thru September 14th Wildlife SOS is working with Whimsical Pet Portraits to raise money to help more elephants as part of our Raju Rescue Fund. You can even have their portrait turned into note cards! Wildlife SOS received 30% of all proceeds from these pet portraits. If you are looking for a fun gift for the holidays, this could […]

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Remembering Bijli

It has been one year since Bijli passed. Although she was in our life for a short time, she will always be remembered for her great courage and inspiring us to be more determined to help others like her. When Wildlife SOS was called in to help her, we felt optimistic that she would regain her strength. There were days she was able to stand on her […]

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Number ’90’ found in dog kennel

By Snehal Bhavsar On September 29th, the keeper of 'Ajay Farm'  located on the Kalali-talsat Rd. in Vadodara city, went out to put his labrador in a dog kennel.  However, when he arrived at the kennel he was both shocked and surprised to find a huge 9.5 ft crocodile sitting in the kennel. Luckily, the keeper was able to think quickly on his[…]

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Dancing Bears in India – Final Curtain

December 18, 2009, Bangalore, India “ The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India and the state forest departments, Delhi headquartered non-profit Wildlife SOS, with its US and UK arms, and a coalition of international conservation and animal rescue groups, Free the Bears Fund (FTB) from Australia, International Animal Rescue[…]

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