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.
Shackled 24 hours a day in spiked chains, he had been routinely beaten and starved.
But he was saved in a daring midnight rescue by a team from British and Indian charity Wildlife SOS, who were “stunned” when Raju wept as he realised his ordeal was ending.
Photos of him crying as his chains were cut away were revealed in the Sunday People before making headlines around the globe.
Wildlife SOS co-founder Kartick Satyanarayan said much has changed in the years since. He said: “He’s finally learned to trust humans again – that really is a miracle. He’d gone through so much suffering we’d wondered if that could ever be possible.
Rescued elephant Laxmi feeds Raju at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre(Image: Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
“Once he realised he was in safe hands, Raju gradually began to show us his personality and has become extremely gentle. His rehabilitation has been astonishing to witness.”
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.”
Rescues Kalapna, Holly and Karma enjoy their dinner
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.
“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.”