In addition to the tireless efforts and determined steps towards saving India’s wildlife, Wildlife SOS has evolved into an organization that now proudly features India’s first Elephant Hospital. Equipped with the state of art facilities to foster our majestic pachyderms with the best of care services, the hospital was inaugurated on 16th November 2018. This big leap for Wildlife SOS is a major milestone towards the broad vision of wildlife conservation. Honoring the occasion with her presence, famous drama TV series,
Downton Abbey’s Lesley Nicol extended support to our cause, as she enthusiastically visited our Elephant Conservation and Care Centre and the Agra Bear Rescue Facility.
The English actress and a three time SAG-Award winner, on arrival at the ECCC was warmly welcomed by the Co-founders Mr. Kartick Satyanarayan and Mrs. Geeta Seshamani. The Wildlife SOS team eagerly acquainted with Ms. Nicol and escorted her for a tour of the Centre. The visit commenced with the screening of a documentary film, showcasing the past atrocities inflicted on the elephants and the transformation of their lives following the rescue. On being apprised with the cruel past, Ms. Nicol categorized the historic happenings as heartbreaking and unfortunate. Nevertheless, inspired and moved by the conservation efforts the NGO indulges in, she found her hope intact.
As she fondly accompanied the elephants for their walks, she watched these creatures finally receive the love and respect they deserve. Despite their massive size, when free in the wild, these majestic pachyderms can walk for at least 192 miles per day. At Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, we provide them with all the necessary provisions to feel free and unconfined.
After gaining insight on the organization’s accomplishments, Ms. Nicol privileged Wildlife SOS by gladly being a part of the Hospital inauguration. Keeping in line with the NGO’s objectives, the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital aims at availing our rescued elephants with lifelong care and medical needs needed by them in captivity. Urging the masses and supporting the campaign ‘Refuse to Ride’, Ms. Nicol also took it to her social media to firmly denigrate such practices. A large number of people in the country are witnessed riding elephants, with the utter ignorance to their well-being. The common misunderstanding with reference to their majestic size and assumption of their threshold to pain, has often laid basis for the permanence of such rides. Strongly condemning these acts, Ms. Nicol backed the organization’s cause.
Escorted by our Director Conservation Project, Dr. Baiju Raj M.V., Ms. Nicol was also rendered a tour of the Agra Bear Rescue Facility. Facilitating home and lifelong care to our rescued bear, that were once victims of the barbaric ‘Dancing Bears’ practice, Wildlife SOS has added to its wall of fame their triumph in eradicating the practice from its origin. Along with the tour and information on the NGO’s work on bear rescues, Ms. Nicol got a chance to interact with the expert veterinarians at the facility and learn about the daily care provided to our bears. She also fed treats to our beloved bear Mowgli, whom she desired to meet in particular.
It gives us immense pleasure to be able to receive love and support from Ms. Nicol. Her love towards animals and her contribution towards Wildlife SOS’ conservation efforts are appreciable. We feel grateful to host her at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital and thank her for honoring us with her presence.