BIJLI'S RESCUE STORY
Separated from her herd at a young age to be sold at the Sonepur Cattle fair, in Bihar, Bijli’s introduction to a life of brutality started at a very young age. Living her life at the whims of the man who owns her and abuses her, Bijli’s life knew no respite as she tread tirelessly through the constrained spaces of Agra for the sake of begging. The few pennies that her owner got were all used up by him as she was made to survive on dry grass and water, which hugely affected her health and made her weak and malnourished.
An unfortunate collision with a truck changed Bijli’s life forever and to add to her broken spirit, there was now a permanently broken and diffused joint in her hind leg. As she limped in pain, timely intervention of the Forest Department and Wildlife SOS paved the way for Bijli’s freedom and she was brought to the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, in Mathura, for lifetime care. With dedicated treatment to her injured leg and her overworked and exhausted limbs, her injuries healed with time and her psychological healing was aided by the companionship of Chanchal and Laxmi.
Chanchal, Bijli and Laxmi are the inseparable trio that enjoy their long walks together and love their relaxing dips at the river Yamuna thoroughly! Chanchal leads the herd while Laxmi stays in the middle and Bijli is the last one owing to her slow pace, but any time that she stops, Chanchal and Laxmi are quick to notice and never shy from giving their dear friend some company. While Bijli’s body still hosts the scars of her horrific past, she has come a long way in this journey and will be spotted indulging in relaxing mud baths in her enclosure, and munching on all the treats that her keeper lays out for her!
