An elephant that captured the hearts of animal
lovers all over the world is enjoying his
freedom - and his birthday - a year on from
his rescue.
Raju spent half a century in shackles, suffering
horrendous abuse, and the gentle giant cried
when he was saved by UK-based charity Wildlife
SOS.
The tuskless bull elephant celebrates his
51st birthday on July 4th, which coincides
with his first night of freedom in 2014.
Wildlife SOS rescued 11 ft tall Raju from
his abusive owner after a year-long process
of acquiring the necessary court order.
He has spent the last year living at the organisation's
Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura,
Uttar Pradesh, India, where a fruit-based
diet has helped him pack on roughly 1,000lbs
in weight.
Wildlife SOS co-founder Geeta Seshamani said:
“Raju came in with many abscesses and over
a hundred injuries and wounds from the years
of abuse he endured.
“Many of them have since healed, but his
right hind leg has had recurring swelling
which has at times made it difficult for him
to bear weight on it.
“He also had one shoulder wound that took
nearly a full year to heal.
“Raju was extremely thin and malnourished
at the time of rescue."
“He now weighs 7,400 lbs," she continued.
"He has put on about 1,000 lbs since his arrival.
“A healthy weight for an elephant his size
is between 11,000 to 12,000 lbs.
He is one of the lightest elephants although
he is the tallest elephant at the facility.”
Raju was kept in chains and abused by his
drug addict owner for 50 years after being
poached from the wild as a baby.
The elephant's master would tell pilgrims
at religious sites that he could bless them
in exchange for money.
The long-suffering elephant endured decades
of being starved and beaten, and resorted
to eating plastic and paper in his desperate
need for food.
After being held captive for 50 years in Allahabad,
Uttar Pradesh, the elephant was declared free
in December last year.
His status became official after his previous
owner failed in a legal attempt to reclaim
him.
Pooja Binepal, of Wildlife SOS-UK, said: “Raju
was in chains 24 hours-a-day and had lived
a life with intolerable cruelty.
"The team were astounded to see tears roll
down his face during the rescue," Pooja continued.
"After one year of his freedom, I am overwhelmed
at the love and support Raju has got from
across the world.”
Speaking about Raju's dramatic rescue, the
charity's co-founder Kartick Satyanarayan,
said: “Several elephant keepers and emergency
staff arrived in Allahabad armed with tranquilising
equipment, medicines, and rescue gear, to
help rescue and move Raju safely to his new
home in Mathura.
"Over 20 forest and police officers were also
present during the rescue operation which
started at 6.30pm on July 3, and ended at
one minute past midnight on July 4 with Raju
safely on a truck.”
The animal now lives with 14 other rescued
elephants at the Wildlife SOS Elephant and
Conservation and Care Centre.
To mark his birthday and the one-year anniversary
of his freedom, staff will present him with
a card and a caked filled with his favourite
fruits.
An elephant trail at the centre is also set
to be named in his honour.
