Nearly 8 years have passed since the day Raju, an elephant in India, was saved from 50 years of chains and shackles. The incident that led to the liberation of around 40 elephants with similar fates to Raju’s remains etched in people’s memories.
In 2014, Raju, a 58-year-old elephant, had experienced 27 different owners. However, it rarely knew a day of happiness. It was burdened with heavy iron chains, some with sharp spikes, designed to prevent any resistance or attempt to escape.
To make matters worse, it was subjected to regular beatings and starvation by its owners. Over the course of five decades, Raju’s body bore countless wounds and ulcers that never seemed to heal.
Everything might have remained the same if it weren’t for a daring rescue mission that took place in July 2014. Wildlife SOS, a charitable organization from the United Kingdom and India, orchestrated the operation.
Though they had participated in numerous similar missions, this one struck a chord deep within their hearts. Upon seeing Raju, many couldn’t hold back tears as they approached and witnessed the multitude of wounds on its body. The scars from beatings, the injuries caused by the iron chains and sharp spikes, and the long-neglected ulcers pained the elephant throughout half a century.
When the Wildlife SOS staff approached Raju, the elephant, which had endured immense suffering, suddenly lost its aggressiveness and rebellion. It became gentle and unexpectedly docile, as if it understood their mission. And perhaps it grasped the significance of that historic moment, for right before they tried to sever the chains, Raju shed tears of joy. This left everyone present awe-struck.
“We were incredibly moved. I don’t know how to explain it scientifically, but it seemed to understand that we were there to help it,” shared Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder of Wildlife SOS.
The photos capturing Raju’s teary-eyed moment of freedom were first published in the Sunday People newspaper in the UK and quickly gained worldwide attention.
The miracles that followed the rescue According to Kartick, Raju’s rescue opened up a new chapter and brought about significant positive changes for the elephant.
“It finally learned to trust humans again – it was truly a miracle. It had endured so much pain, and we weren’t even sure if this was possible,” Kartick shared.
Raju’s demeanor gradually revealed itself as it realized it was being cared for safely. It became extremely gentle and its recovery process was astounding, Kartick revealed.
Today, Raju can leisurely stroll in open fields, wallow in mud pits, and play with its favorite toy, an old car tire, free from constraints.
But Kartick emphasized that the story doesn’t end there: “This is just the beginning. Our team is working tirelessly to find and rescue more ailing and tortured elephants across India.”
Support from around the world has helped them rescue approximately 40 more elephants, liberating them permanently from lives of horrific suffering. Raju has become a symbol of hope for the dedicated individuals working for the welfare of animals.
“We rescued three elephants most recently in December last year, right on New Year’s Eve. One elephant named Pari was brought to the veterinary hospital on December 1, 2021. It had a dislocated leg due to being tied in an abnormal position for decades,” Kartick shared.
Meanwhile, an elephant named Ginger had its body covered in paint and soot, substances used in wedding ceremonies to hide its ghastly wounds. Ginger was also blind, and it was suspected that its eyes were deliberately blinded to elicit sympathy from others for monetary gain.
Kartick added, “It’s heart-wrenching. It has endured 60 years of horror. It must be exhausted.”
The most recent rescued elephant, Lakshmi, is estimated to be 25 to 30 years old and is the skinniest elephant ever seen in India.
“It was shocking to see an elephant as weak and emaciated as Lakshmi. It’s one of the worst cases we have witnessed,” Kartick revealed.
Kartick further stated, “There are still many more elephants in need of rescue. They are used in circuses, on the streets for begging, as well as in weddings and tourist attractions.”
He encouraged people to contribute in their own small ways to improve the lives of these elephants.