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Elephants

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The survival of the elephant in India is critical to the survival of the entire species in Asia. Home to almost 60% of Earth’s remaining Asian elephant population, India is plagued with a lack of awareness and education which is leading to the persistent enslavement of these majestic animals for tourism, manual labor, performances, processions, entertainment and street begging.

Wildlife SOS leads efforts to protect the wild elephant population in India. We rescue, treat and care for elephants exploited in the abusive tourism and “begging elephant” industries. We work to end the plight of injured and sick elephants that are forced to work in unnatural conditions. Our aim is to reach out and help the elephants that are blind, elderly, wounded, malnourished and dehydrated or those being used illegally and commercially under deprived conditions.

SUPPORT OUR WORK WITH ELEPHANTS

It is important to note that most captive elephants in India are owned illegally, and strict enforcement of laws is needed to end illegal trafficking of elephants. Our Wildlife SOS sanctuaries allow laws to be enforced as they give authorities a home for these seized and rescued elephants.

In 2018, Wildlife SOS established their very first Treatment Unit. This was truly a historic milestone for injured and ailing elephants throughout India, who can now get the care and love they need in a state-of-the-art facility. The treatment unit is capable of conducting important laboratory tests and treatments for the elephants including wireless digital radiological capabilities, laser therapy, an in-house pathology lab, and a medical hoist for comfortably lifting disabled elephants. The treatment unit is also equipped with a protected-contact elephant restraining device, a digital weighing scale, a hydrotherapy pool, and quarantine enclosures. All of this enables regular check-ups, out-of-routine treatments and urgent after-rescue care as well.

ASIAN ELEPHANTS

The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), is distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is the largest living land animal in Asia. Three subspecies are currently recognised: the Sri Lankan, the Indian, and the Sumatran elephant.

Smaller than their African counterparts, Asian elephants are easily recognizable by their “small” rounded ears. They often have a hump on their back, a double-domed head with two humps, and a single “finger” on their trunk for grasping. Their diet consists of green grass, roots, fruits, and fodder, and an adult elephant can consume up to 300-500 lbs (136-250 kg) of food in a single day.

General Characteristics