On the night of the 4th of July, 2014, when fireworks illuminated the sky to celebrate freedom in the United States, a different kind of independence was unfolding here in India. A skeletal pachyderm named Raju, who had known nothing but pain and neglect for all 50 years of his life, was finally breaking away from the shackles of captivity. Traded by owners multiple times, this magnificent being, who had been robbed of dignity and love as a ‘begging’ elephant, was now stepping into a domain of relief and newfound hope. That night, Raju, as though realising that he was now on the path of humane care, shed tears and became a symbol of resilience. The ‘crying elephant’ still had the courage to believe and embrace kindness that human beings are capable of giving.
Wildlife SOS, with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, fought relentlessly to free him, but his former captor tightened the very chains that had bound him for decades. Finally, in this legal battle, compassion triumphed. Raju’s story of suffering shook the world, and was covered by international media giants like BBC, National Geographic, and The Guardian, exposing the grim reality of captive Asian elephants. Today, Raju stands as a symbol of resilience, proof that kindness can overpower cruelty.
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]Raju has undergone a remarkable transformation, both with his physical health and emotional well-being. Thanks to the dedicated geriatric care provided by our veterinarians, Raju’s welfare is monitored closely. Medication continues to be regularly provided to strengthen his joints, while multivitamin supplements fulfill his essential requirements. The majestic pachyderm is given routine antiseptic pedicures as well, which he calmly enjoys with the aid of positive reinforcement.
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]Raju can often be seen splashing around in his enclosure pool with delight. Time in the water also serves as a soothing treatment for his limbs, alleviating pressure on his joints. Caregivers have also mindfully created sand beds inside Raju’s enclosure as resting surfaces Raju can use to sit and stand.
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]Interestingly, Raju has an unconventional way of using sugarcane stalks — he picks one of the lot as his back-scratcher! Raju cleverly lifts the stalk with his trunk to rub against his back or belly, an act that immensely gladdens him, and also promotes blood circulation in his body when he does so.
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]A testament to his overall health is also evident in the consistency of his musth cycles, a natural and essential phase in the life of a bull elephant. Characterised by heavy temporal gland secretion and heightened testosterone levels, musth often leads to erratic behaviour and loss of appetite in male elephants. However, Raju remains an exception, displaying remarkable composure and maintaining a steady appetite during this period.
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]Raju’s rescue was a turning point in the fight against elephant exploitation, exposing the harsh realities of captivity. His story ignited global awareness, having a ripple effect on banning elephants as performers in circuses of India, and halting the use of elephants in wedding ceremonies and processions in Delhi. Many, however, are still unaware of how elephants are maltreated within the tourism industry as well. Just like Raju, who was forced to walk on harsh tarmac roads, these elephants are also coerced to carry unnatural weight on their backs, undergoing physical and mental stress while doing so. This led Wildlife SOS to initiate the ‘Refuse to Ride’ campaign to raise awareness and sensitivity towards elephants. Raju’s rescue surely sparked the change to ensure freedom for many more suffering elephants.
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]Raju’s freedom brought the conditions of captive elephants to the forefront. But for 300 elephants still walking the streets of India in chains, time is running out. Wildlife SOS is now taking a bold step forward with a campaign to help every begging elephant in India by 2030. Like Raju, these elephants have endured lifetimes of abuse, malnourishment, and neglect. Many are blind, severely injured, and alone, forced by their captors to beg for survival. But together, we can change their fate.
Report a begging elephant by calling or texting the Wildlife SOS helpline at +91 9971699727.
Raju’s rescue showed the world that no chain is unbreakable. Now, it’s time to break them all. With your support, we can ensure that no elephant suffers like Raju did. Feature image: Wildlife SOS/ Mradul Pathak
