When it feels like nothing could change the sorry situation, a ray of hope shines through dark times. Such is the story of our beloved pachyderm, Bijli. A begging elephant on the streets of Agra, Bijli was forced to walk on concrete roads and was fed only dry grass, which made the captive elephant weak in both her body and her spirit.
Bijli’s neglected life took a life altering turn when in 2010, she met with an accident. The pachyderm was hit by a large truck, which left her with a diffused joint and an injured hind leg. She suffered from a painful limp as a result and required urgent medical attention. While this was an unfair and unfortunate incident for Bijli, it brought her under the attention of the forest department and Wildlife SOS.
Bijli had finally found a path out of the shadows of captivity and into the surroundings of long-term affectionate care. She was rehabilitated at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC), and it was here that the 30-year-old rescued elephant made a fresh start to lead a wholesome life.
With Bijli’s arrival came countless days and nights trying to provide her with proper medical treatment and nutritional food to help her recover from nearly three decades of abuse. She received regular medicated foot baths for her foot pads that were torn due to walking on harsh roads, and she was also given a course of anti-inflammatory medication for her injured hind limbs. From scattered provision of dried grass for survival, Bijli had been introduced to fresh fruits and vegetables, green fodder and a nourishing cooked concentrate comprising brown rice and millets!
This year, Bijli celebrates 14 years of freedom from a life filled with brutality. She is a confident pachyderm, with her friends Chanchal and Laxmi right by her side. Bijli was introduced to Chanchal when the latter arrived two years after Bijli did at ECCC. Since the day they met, they have been inseparable, and they share an enclosure with each other. They were soon joined by Laxmi, and the trio formed their own mini herd! The three companions spend their days joyfully interacting with each other at the centre.
Bijli’s day starts off with a three-hour-long walk across the centre with her best buddies. One can understand their distinct personalities by how they behave during their walks! Bijli is a calm and collected elephant and she enjoys playful moments with Laxmi, who makes sure to keep Bijli on her toes. On the other hand, Chanchal with her strong personality plays the role of a protective matriarch for the two!
The accident she encountered left Bijli with a permanently affected gait, which is why she tends to be slower than Laxmi and Chanchal during their jolly walks along the Yamuna River. However, her caregiver maintains his pace to match Bijli’s steps, never leaving her side throughout this time. Bijli can be seen fondly plucking grass with her trunk and munching on it along her way. Aware of her love for food, the caregiver always carries with him a bag full of peanuts or dates, and delightful Bijli makes sure to gobble each of them up.
Enclosure mates Bijli and Chanchal engage with a variety of enrichments such as the hanging poles, feeding cages and the rolling drum installed for the two. Since they are filled with treats such as green fodder, fresh fruits and vegetables and roasted channas (chickpeas), these enrichments keep our foodie Bijli entirely preoccupied! Enrichments play a huge role by helping the resident animals to be physically as well as mentally active. Bijli can be seen extracting the fresh fodder with skill and determination.
At Wildlife SOS’s centre, the previously frail and demotivated elephant has transformed into a 44-year-old lively and determined one. Her earlier life was not an easy one, but a tranquil environment, constant care and wonderful companions — all formed a healing balm for the resilient pachyderm. You too can help us support Bijli’s welfare by being a sponsor!
