This is the story of Raju the elephant that among other animals all over the planet has been a victim of abuse and longtime captivity. To be more specific Raju spent his whole life in captivity entertaining tourists and guests of his owner in the Uttar Pradesh area of India. After being poached from his mother he was thrown from one owner to another, until he was left living in terrible conditions with no shelter at night, being used as a beggar prop all day long. Raju survived only from passing tourists and sometimes had to eat plastic and paper while being chained 24 hours a day.
North London-based charity Wildlife SOS stepped in to save Raju from dying in his bonds after learning of his plight in India.
So, a few days ago, a 10-strong team of vets and wildlife experts from the charity were joined by 20 forestry department officers and six policemen to seize Raju from his suffering in the Uttar Pradesh.
The army rescuing is about to begin, while Raju is chained and waits his next day torture...
Raju’s owner tried to prevent the rescue, putting chains on his legs.
The mission took place under the cover of darkness, as fewer people would be around for the dangerous rescue and the animal could be protected from the searing heat of the sun.
The chains were so tightly wrapped that it took 45 minutes to liberate him.
Wildlife SOS founder Kartick Satyanarayan said: 'The chains around his legs had spikes which were cutting into his flesh - and each time he moved puss would ooze out of wounds. Pain and brutality were all he knew'
After realizing that his suffering will soon be over he cried tears of joy.
“The team were astounded to see tears roll down his face during the rescue. It was so incredibly emotional for all of us. We knew in our hearts he realized he was being freed.”
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Raju, who suffered "unthinkable abuse”, was in poor shape when the rescue team found him
Raju was driven sedated to the sanctuary by brave rescuers 350 miles to the charity’s Elephant Conservation and Care Centre at Mathura
His open-air ride was one of his first tastes of true freedom.
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Over the weekend, Raju received emergency medical attention to his wounds as well as a bath and food.
He was fed and loved…
The long and difficult rescue was emotional for Raju, but also for his saviors.
The charity is certain that Raju will spend the rest of his life free from suffering.
The daring rescue came exactly a year to the day since the charity was alerted to Raju's plight by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department in India. The heroes at Wildlife SOS saved Raju from decades of torture. He will finally know freedom and days without pain and torture. It’s incredible that he was able to survive this long and endure such abuse.
Breaks my heart to see such suffering and can't help but wonder that for all that are saved, how many needlessly suffer until the end? Why is a human life so special yet an animal’s taken so easily? On the one hand the humans who saved Raju are wonderful examples of our species, but on the other the people who kept him deserve to rot.
Share his amazing rescue with others. If you see animal abuse, say something. Don’t let innocent creatures suffer.
Sources:
Viralnova,
Daily Mail
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