For the first 50 years of his life, Raju, the elephant, was tied up with chains, malnourished, abused and had been used to beg for money from people.

Raju’s Tough Life

We presume that Raju had been taken when he was a baby by his owner and ever since the poor elephant has been living a nightmare. Raju’s four legs had been tied together with chains to prevent him from walking freely. He was also not fed properly and was found to have eaten plastic bags and cardboard.

The Rescue Team

Luckily, the charity organisation, Wildlife SOS, learned of Raju’s treatment and organised a big rescue team. Their team consisted of 10 vets, 20 forestry commission officers and 6 policemen, who went to where Raju was being kept in the middle of the night.

 

They found the poor elephant and began to unchain him when his owner came out and tried to stop them. Using the elephant was this man’s income and losing Raju meant that he would lose his job.

Raju Starts Over

Today, Raju is safe and sound in the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura. When he has fully recovered he will join other rescued elephants including; Rajesh and Bhola.

 

A spokesman for Wildlife SOS had said that the poor elephant was living in intolerable cruelty 24 hours a day. They were all very moved during the rescue when they saw tears roll down the elephant's face. Does this not prove animals have emotions just like we do?

 

See the very moving rescue pictures and the first pictures of Raju’s freedom!

 

Credit: Wildlife SOS 

Raju enchaîné raju enchainé raju enchainé Raju en route vers le centre de réhabilitation raju raju goutant sa liberté raju goutant un fruit raju prenant une douche raju heureux

 

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