Bhola
Year of arrival: 2010
Age at the time of arrival: 45 years old
Sex: Male
Recognisable features: Tuskless (makhna) and no tushes visible; small ears
Health condition when rescued: Completely blind in the right eye, limited vision in his left eye; wounds, bruises and chronic abscesses on body
Facility: Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC)
Favourite food: Muskmelons and jackfruit
Favourite activities: Basking under the sun, lying on his mud bed
Background: Bhola was being transported illegally between states when he was struck down by a truck on a highway that left him unconscious. When our team first saw Bhola, he looked like a broken elephant, gravely injured with bruises covering his body. To save his life, he needed immediate medical attention by expert veterinarians, which led to his transportation to the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre. Today, Bhola can be seen walking across his spacious enclosure at centre. His survival is nothing short of a miracle. | READ MORE ABOUT BHOLA
bhola'S STORY
Bhola’s story of survival serves as an inspiration for all of us to continue our efforts to protect wildlife. He was barely alive when our team reached him in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Bhola was a victim of a serious road accident with a speeding truck that left him lying unconscious with severe wounds and bruises that covered his weak and emaciated body. This accident took place at night when the bull elephant was being illegally moved across state borders to beg.
When Bhola lay bleeding and broken, our team was not sure if he would be able to live after the amount of physical and mental trauma he had suffered. What they did know was that they would do everything they could to save him. Bhola was administered immediate medication on site, and was then lifted with the help of a crane onto a truck that got him to the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre.
At the centre, Bhola was tended to by our team of expert veterinarians. Over the next few days, his wounds were given regular dressings and the abscesses were coated with antiseptic ointment. Bhola experienced much-needed relief with medicated foot baths for his exhausted limbs and aching joints. He was fed a cooked concentrate with immune-boosting supplements and fruits that helped him to get back on his feet.
Keeping in mind his impaired vision, the edgings of his enclosure are given soft cushioning to prevent him from any untoward harm as he walks around. Mud beds in his enclosure allow him to lean and rest comfortably. Till date, Bhola continues to amaze us with his resilience.