Trunk Tales: Rhea’s Story From Performing To Thriving

In a peaceful corner of the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) resides Rhea, a 62-year-old gentle giant whose soulful presence is as soothing as a cool breeze after a scorching summer day.

Before being rescued, Rhea’s life was far from calm. She was forced to perform in a circus, distanced from leading a natural life as an elephant. The harsh crack of bullhooks, loud cheers, and blinding lights were what she was made familiar with. She was forced to contort her body into absurd positions and obey orders out of fear rather than trust. She was then shackled, made to stand on hard surfaces for hours on end. As a result, her legs bore the brunt of this suffering. Over time, her nails cracked, and her foot pads wore down, and what should have been sturdy, silent feet of the forest became sites of pain and infection.

But everything changed in 2016, when the Tamil Nadu Forest Department seized Rhea from the circus and entrusted her to Wildlife SOS. She was brought to ECCC, a space where compassion is not conditional, and every rescued elephant is promised peace.

Rhea arrived guarded and subdued, a soul dimmed by years of confinement. At the centre, she was greeted by a gentle presence who would become the light of her world— Mia. The two were together in the circus, silently suffering side by side. At ECCC, they began to heal together, too. Rhea finally found in Mia the comfort and safety she hadn’t ever felt earlier.

Rhea and Mia are soul sisters in every sense of the word. Despite Rhea being nine years older to Mia, the two are each other’s shadows that move in perfect harmony. Their bond is as tactile as it is vocal: soft rumbles of communication echo between them, and their trunks often entwine in quiet reassurance. While Rhea is a shy elephant, she wonderfully expresses her affection for Mia. She rarely strays far from her side, showcasing a sense of solace in their synchronised lives.

Every morning, Rhea and Mia set out on their walk together, guided by their caregivers. The pace is unhurried, the path shaded, and the companionship unwavering. After their walk, they rest under trees that host ample leaves to forage on and shield them from heat. Soon after, it’s time for one of Rhea’s favourite parts of the day — a bath in the pool. With the sun glinting on water and birds calling overhead, Rhea submerges herself in the pool — sometimes splashing around, sometimes lying still, but always calm. The pool also serves her with hydrotherapy, a process that lifts pressure from her limbs, allowing her great relief.

Her daily care continues to involve an elaborate and essential foot care routine. The scars of her circus days, although faded, remain on her front legs. A warm foot bath comprising turmeric and healing salts is often accompanied by treats Rhea receives as a positive reinforcement. Caregivers make sure that these include freshly chopped watermelon, the juicy fruit she is most fond of. Routine health care given to Rhea is followed as a ritual by her caregivers, who are dedicated to sustain her healing as well as the trust she has found in them.

Once her feet are tended to, Rhea spends time exploring the enrichments set up just for her. Her intelligent mind is stimulated by haynets swaying gently in the breeze, barrel feeders she nudges with her trunk, and feeding cages filled with delicious surprises. She enjoys playing with tyre enrichments and loves the challenge of finding treats hidden within them. These moments of engagement are essential—they help Rhea rediscover what it means to be curious, to play, and to feel safe while exploring her inherent instincts.

Rhea spends her afternoons taking a dust bath or flinging chunks of mud on her back. These provide her with natural sunscreen that is incredibly soothing.  Before the golden light begins to fade in the evening, Rhea and Mia take another stroll together. When they return to their enclosure, they find a hearty serving of fruits and fodder waiting to be relished before they retire for a good night.

Rhea has come to recognise familiar voices of her caregivers, who now know that the path to her heart is through watermelons and bananas she gently accepts with soft eyes and an extended trunk. Even though she had a difficult past, Rhea has shown quiet yet strong resilience, making her an epitome of grace.

In our centre, Rhea has found a life of dignity, companionship and above all, the freedom to just be herself.

She reminds us that healing doesn’t always roar — it often happens slowly, softly, in the presence of love. She is not objectified anymore. She is not a performer. She is not property. She is Rhea — an elephant with a story, a soul, and a sister who remains by her side. And she is finally free and has found a home.

Help us ensure Rhea continues to live a life of safety, comfort, and care. Click HERE to sponsor her journey of healing and happiness.

Feature image: Wildlife SOS/ Mradul Pathak