Seven years after Raju the elephant was released from chains, The People returns to see the legacy that’s saved 40 more and learns how readers can help the good work
An elephant who cried as he was freed from 50 years spent in chains has learned to trust again after almost eight years in recovery.
Raju became a global symbol of hope among animal welfare campaigners and his rescue has led to 40 other elephants being saved from similar horrific abuse.
Today, Raju has a field to walk freely around, takes relaxing dust baths and even has a personal pool to splash about in, playing with his favourite toy – a huge rubber tyre.
But, says Kartick, the story does not end there. He stressed: “If anything, it begins from it. Our team now works with unparalleled dedication in tracking ailing, abused elephants from all across the country.”
Support from around the globe after Raju’s rescue has enabled the charity to save 40 more elephants – with the most recent rescue on New Year’s Eve.
Kartick said: “Our latest three, all saved in December, sum up the suffering.
Pari, who arrived at our elephant hospital on December 1, has been left crippled where she’d been tethered in an abnormal position for decades.
Wildlife SOS veterinary team giving laser therapy treatment to Lakshmi
“Ginger was covered in chemical paint and charcoal decorations – used for wedding processions, but also to distract from her terrible abscesses and bull hook wounds.”