In the dense, green stretches of Northeast India, a tusker named Vayu was one among the elephants being exploited in the logging industry. However, the bull elephant suffered from a devastating fall in the jungle that broke his forelimb, and permanently ended his ability to be a working elephant. Leaving his condition unaddressed, the elephant has been silently struggling with pain and neglect. Our team from Wildlife SOS first saw him while laying the foundation of Haathi Sewa in Assam. He was in a state of musth and was tied to a tree. However, shocking indications of long-term suffering were instantly noted — a frail body due to malnourishment, and an abnormal posture caused by his fractured left front leg.
- Vayu had suffered a fall and fractured his front leg, but an improper setting of his bone has led him to acquire an abnormal swinging gait. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
The owners cited financial constraints to provide aid to the elephant. Understanding the need for urgent intervention, Wildlife SOS formally acquired permission to provide Vayu medical care at our rescue facility in Uttar Pradesh. Upon closely examining him, our veterinarian team detected severe ankylosis on the elbow joint of his affected leg. The inability to evenly secure his weight had already taken a toll on his remaining legs. If left unattended, this could lead to irreversible joint degeneration. Additionally, he had overgrown toenails and thin foot pads due to wear and tear. The elephant is moving with immense difficulty, indicating the agony and discomfort he is in.
Our team is committed to provide Vayu with the treatment and care he is in immediate need of.
This page will continue to update whenever there are new developments on Vayu. Please scroll to the bottom to see the latest updates.
Our team has departed from Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) to Assam to bring Vayu home. On this approximate 1900 km journey, they are accompanied by our specially designed elephant ambulance—completely disinfected, sanitised and loaded with sugarcanes and fresh fruits to keep Vayu calm, well-fed, and comfortable on the journey back.
- The Elephant Ambulance has been thoughtfully stocked with bundles of sugarcane to keep Vayu busy munching along the way back. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Atharva Pacharne]
The elephant ambulance has been extensively sanitised before embarking on the journey to bring Vayu home. Given Vayu’s precarious condition, this step is crucial as it reduces the risk of infection and guarantees the well-being of both the pachyderm and the team accompanying him.
- The ambulance has been sanitised to ensure Vayu’s journey home is safe, clean, and stress-free. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Atharva Pacharne]
The team took a quick pit stop on the expressway for dinner and refreshments. With all members refreshed, the journey has resumed.
The team started the day by arriving in Lucknow, from where they journeyed onwards. Along the way, they passed through Azamgarh, with a refuelling of the elephant ambulance near the Uttar Pradesh–Bihar border. Braving a sandstorm and heavy rainfall, the team has managed to reach Bhatauli Anrudh in Bihar, where they stopped for dinner and are again back on the road.
- Braving all odds — not even a dust storm and heavy rain could shake the team’s resolve to save Vayu. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Atharva Pacharne]
Early in the morning, the team set out again, and by mid-morning, they had travelled 1100 kilometres to Forbesganj, Bihar. The ambulance experienced a battery drainage problem later in the afternoon, which might have been brought on by the previous night’s intense rains. Fortunately, a truck garage in Ambari Falakata, West Bengal, was able to resolve the issue. The team reached West Bengal by dusk and after dinner, are continuing onwards.
- Slight technical difficulties in the ambulance were tackled so that the team continues to move forward to bring Vayu to safety. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Atharva Pacharne]
The team left Bhemtia, West Bengal, early in the morning to continue their journey. By nightfall, they made it to New Bongaigaon in Assam, and soon after, they arrived at the site. The team is now patiently coordinating with local authorities for the remaining permissions required to bring Vayu to the Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC) in Mathura.
21 April 2025
The team has finally received the necessary transport permissions to bring Vayu back home and they have stocked the ambulance with banana stalks, to prepare for the long journey ahead.
- Stocking up for the road ahead—bundles of banana stalks are being loaded into the ambulance to keep Vayu nourished and comforted throughout his long journey home. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Atharva Pacharne]
22 April 2025
09:09 PM
The team has carefully boarded Vayu onto the ambulance. Initially hesitant of the large four-wheeler, Vayu was coaxed inside with delicious treats like watermelon, pumpkins, and sugarcane. He took to sugarcane that was placed inside the ambulance and was soon munching on its stalks. With all amenities set in place and after ensuring that Vayu was calm and comfortable, the team departed from Assam and is now en route to Mathura.
- Vayu, now safely on board the ambulance and surrounded by delicious fruits, finally begins his journey to Wildlife SOS’s Elephant Hospital Campus. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Atharva Pacharne]
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23 April 2025
The team has entered West Bengal, and Vayu is doing well and has been provided with water and a mix of fresh vegetables to munch on. His curiosity remains strong—he lifts his trunk every now and then to sniff the air, taking in the changing surroundings.
Vayu is doing fine and remains curious on the journey—lifting his trunk often to explore each new scent along the way. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Atharva Pacharne] Reaching Bihar was a bit of a challenge as the team braved intermittent rain showers on the way. At every pit stop, our team made it their priority to provide Vayu with fresh food and clean water. Vayu remains calm and alert as our team journeys towards Mathura.
The team took a much-needed pit stop while travelling through Bihar to tend to both Vayu and the vehicle. The elephant ambulance was thoroughly cleaned, and Vayu was given a refreshing bath, which he seemed to thoroughly enjoy. They then continued their journey onwards.
As temperatures soar, a gentle bath helps Vayu stay cool and relaxed—small comforts making a big difference on his journey home. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Atharva Pacharne] 01:00 PM
It’s been nearly 24 hours since Vayu was rescued, and the journey to the Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC) is still long. With the temperature soaring, the team has decided to pause in a shaded area to ensure Vayu remains cool and comfortable and gets time to rest, rehydrate, and well-fed to regain strength for the road ahead. With hearts full of hope and unwavering determination, our dedicated team continues the journey, making sure Vayu feels safe and cared for every step of the way.
04:30 PM
As the sun began to set, the team spotted a small bottle gourd farm along the way and paused to pick up a few fresh ones for Vayu. He crunched on a few pieces inside the ambulance, clearly enjoying the treat. The rest have been saved for later, adding a simple comfort to his long road to healing.
The team sourced fresh bottle gourd for Vayu, picked straight from a nearby farm, to keep him happy and nourished on the long journey home. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
