Elephant Rehabilitation Centre (ERC) is widely known for the loud trumpets of its most famous residents: Erika, Ella, Lilly, and Jasmine. The four companions form a tight-knit herd and barely leave each other’s side. However, they weren’t always like that. Each of the four carries the scars of adversity before they found solace and sisterhood under the care of Wildlife SOS. Elephant matriarchal herds in the wild are known to have strong social bonds, where each follow distinct roles. In the herd at ERC, Ella is the eldest and wise matriarch, maintaining harmony among the group. Erika and Jasmine have composed demeanours, while Lilly, the youngest of the lot, adds a touch of fun with her playful antics. It is Lilly that we shine the spotlight on this month.
Like the flower she has been named after, Lilly blossoms joy with her colourful personality at ERC. She livens up the environment with her many mischiefs and manages to grab the attention of the staff. But beneath her joyous demeanour lies a heart burdened by the shadows of her past. With the help of Haryana Forest Department, Lilly was rescued from Sirsa as a begging elephant in 2014. She came bearing a baggage of sufferings and misery. Her rescue story, however, finds its roots in that of Raju’s, another captive elephant that was forced to beg. Raju’s rescue was a landmark moment, a turning point in the fight against elephant exploitation. The momentum generated by Raju’s freedom created a ripple effect that paved the way for Lilly’s liberation as well.
Today, Lilly is 45-years-old, yet she still manages to stir up more drama than the rest of the members of her herd put together! Erika and Ella are the quiet and patient ones of the lot, and often find themselves surrounded by Lilly’s vivacious antics. One of these can be witnessed while watching the four eat their meals. When Jasmine, Erika and Ella are relishing the assortment of ripe mangoes, juicy papayas, and sweet bananas, Lilly’s eyes are on one of their buckets. With a sly glance, she’ll extend her trunk often inside Ella’s bucket and expertly grab a piece of fruit before anyone notices. Her subsequent nonchalance, as though she did nothing odd at all, is a tactic only she can apply with absolute ease! Along with fruit, their food in the day also includes seasonal fodder and vegetables, and cooked concentrate that is mixed with curd during summers.
Their daily walks are nothing short of a beautiful scenario. The ERC is replete with lush green grass and dense trees. Situated on over 400 acres of land in Yamunanagar’s Ban Santour in Haryana, the centre provides a large open space for the resident elephants to roam freely and forage. Lilly’s daily walks commence early at around 6 am with her three companions. During the walk, the four friends follow each other while also being mindful of each other’s space. The group is led by Erika, whose confidence to lead is acknowledged by Ella, Jasmine and Lilly.
As the monsoon arrives in the northern India with heavy downpours, the elephants at ERC indulge in playful mud baths around a pond that is located here. Rain brings out Lilly’s child-like personality— she rolls gleefully in the mud, and is reluctant to leave the refreshing mess she creates. While it rains, joyous trumpets of the quartet sound like their own version of “Rain, rain, come again!”!
Lilly, despite being the distinct one in her herd, is also a true friend who is always ready to lend a helping trunk. In one instance, Ella got stuck in the mud and was unable to move, and it was Lilly who came to her rescue. She extended her strong trunk for Ella to grab on as her lifeline, and pulled her out of the mud to safety. There’s a lot that we can learn from elephants. The protectiveness they have towards their close-knit herd is as enormous and magnificent as they are.
Lilly is a loving elephant who responds well to the care she constantly receives. While she remains high-spirited throughout her day, she becomes a calm and cooperative elephant during the regular checkups or treatments she receives from our medical team. She also undergoes a daily pedicure session, in which her footpads are scrubbed clean to get rid of dirt, dust or any harmful objects. Lilly seems to really enjoy these sessions, as she is aware that her favourite treats are presented to her during the careful inspection of her feet. She currently weighs a healthy 3324 kgs, and consumes a balanced diet curated by our team.
Lilly displays her funny tricks when she finds a chance to take dust baths! She lifts up her trunk that is full with dust to toss it all over herself and her caregivers. The staff, used to her pranks, simply smile as they continue their tasks, knowing that a happy Lilly is a healthy Lilly.
Leaving a life of hardship far behind, Lilly blooms as a lively and cherished member of her herd. While she still may carry the memories of her past, Lilly’s present is filled with mud baths, delicious meals, and the comforting presence of her friends. And who knows, maybe tomorrow she’ll manage to swipe a fruit from Jasmine’s bucket too!
If you would like to support our cause and contribute towards the welfare of elephants under our care, please consider making a donation.
