In a unique and first-time initiative, rescued and handicapped elephants housed at a care centre run by an NGO in Mathura are receiving jumbo jackets to keep them warm during the freezing cold wave across north India.
Cold wave across north
As northern India weathers the cold wave, the staff at a Delhi-based NGO — Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre — in Mathura have designed and created the jackets to ensure that their super-sized residents are well equipped to tackle the winter.
The care centre is currently home to 20 rescued elephants who are blind, lame and on the mend. The organisation also runs an elephant rehabilitation centre in Haryana which currently houses three female elephants. Rescued from illegal captivity, trafficking mafia or circuses where they were abused and subjected to cruelty and decades of suffering, all of the elephants have tragic pasts.
“It is important to keep our elephants protected from the bitter cold during this extreme winter, as they are weak and vulnerable having suffered so much abuse, making them susceptible to ailments such as pneumonia. The cold also aggravates their arthritis which is a common issue that our rescued elephants have to deal with,” said Kartick Satyanarayan of Wildlife SOS
Adjusting to new life
Now, under the care and treatment of a dedicated team of veterinarians and elephant care staff of Wildlife SOS, they are adjusting to a life of dignity, freedom and peace
“The rescued elephants under rehabilitation at Wildlife SOS have been rescued from dire circumstances. We aim to provide them with a safe habitat for them,’’ added Geeta Seshamani of Wildlife SOS.
