“Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers the o’er-fraught heart and bids it break.”
– William Shakespeare
With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Ella, one of our oldest and most beloved residents, who lived to the grand old age of 84. For 13 years at the Elephant Rehabilitation Centre (ERC), she was a constant and comforting presence – gentle, strong-willed, and occasionally mischievous in the most endearing of ways.
Rescued in 2013 from Haryana after enduring nearly a lifetime of cruelty as a ‘begging’ elephant, Ella finally found peace at the age of 71. As one of the very first residents of the centre, her arrival marked the beginning of something truly special. Within just hours, another rescued elephant, Erika, joined her, an encounter that felt nothing short of fate.
Despite an age difference of nearly 16 years, the two bonded instantly, as though they had always belonged together. Ella naturally stepped into the role of matriarch, watching over Erika with quiet strength and unwavering care. At the slightest sign of distress, Ella would move swiftly to her side, offering reassurance through gentle trunk touches and soft, rumbling calls. She became Erika’s anchor, guiding her through the difficult transition from a life of hardship to one of safety and compassion.
Together, Ella and Erika became the foundation of a growing herd. Their bond helped create a sense of security that allowed other rescued elephants to integrate, heal, and find comfort as they truly became a family.
When Lilly joined the herd a year later, Ella was initially hesitant to welcome her. Having grown deeply attached to Erika, she was protective of her, unsure of the new presence. But as Erika and Lilly’s bond began to blossom, Ella, in her quiet wisdom, gradually opened her heart and embraced Lilly, extending the same care and affection to her that she had always given Erika.
When Daisy, and later Jasmine, became part of the group, the two found comfort in each other and formed a bond of their own. But, after Daisy’s passing left Jasmine alone, Ella once again stepped into the role of offering her reassurance, companionship, and a sense of belonging. With patience and gentleness, she carried this out so naturally that she drew Jasmine into their close-knit circle once again.
Losing Ella feels like losing a cherished elder of the family, not just for the herd at the ERC, but for all of us who had the privilege of knowing and caring for her.
“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.”
– Anonymous
Though Ella carried herself with a calm, almost motherly presence, her mischievous side revealed itself in the most delightful ways, especially during her walks and at night. She had a particular fondness for water, often making her way to the pool or the natural bog in the forested area she roamed. Once there, she would abandon all hesitation, splashing with unbridled joy, sending waves rippling across the water alongside Erika and Lilly. Anyone standing too close during these lively moments would inevitably be drenched, as the three enthusiastically sprayed trunkfuls of water in every direction.
And if water wasn’t enough, mud certainly was. Near the forest’s natural pool lay a rich, muddy bog where the elephants indulged in their mud baths. Here, Ella would roll, splash, and revel in the cool earth with infectious enthusiasm as her caregivers watched from a safe distance, well aware of the exuberance that could quickly turn them into unintended mud-covered participants if they went too close.
Ella’s playful spirit was also showcased in bouts of energy displayed. She had a knack for keeping her caregivers on their toes, frequently dismantling or reshaping parts of her enclosure and enrichments in active spirits. More often than not, this meant extra hours of repair work for the caregivers, but they would always take it up with a fond smile even if they were exhausted, because this was Ella simply being Ella.
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
– Anonymous (From a headstone in Ireland)
Elephants are among the few species who, much like humans, continue to play a vital role in their herds long after their reproductive years. As repositories of social and ecological knowledge — a phenomenon often referred to as the “grandmother effect” — they become essential guides, shaping the behaviour and cohesion of their groups. Ella embodied this role wholeheartedly. She was a guide, a protector, and a steady, reassuring presence for every elephant at the Elephant Rehabilitation Centre.
This quiet strength revealed itself most clearly during moments of uncertainty. On one occasion, while out on a walk through the forested area, the herd encountered a passing leopard. Startled, the others grew visibly uneasy but Ella stood her ground. Positioning herself firmly between the predator and her herd, she rose to her full height and let out powerful trumpets, asserting her presence until the leopard retreated.
Her protective instincts extended beyond her herd to the humans she trusted as well. To her caregivers, she was not just an elephant in their care, but a guardian in her own right. Watchful, dependable, and unwavering in her quiet courage.
“The grave itself is but a covered bridge,
Leading from light to light, through a brief darkness!”
– The Golden Legend by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Ever the true matriarch, even in her final years, Ella seemed to ensure that her herd would remain protected long after she was gone. A few years ago, our team began to witness something remarkable. Gradually, and almost imperceptibly, Ella started to step back from her role as matriarch, taking on the position of a quiet observer, as though she understood that age was catching up with her, and that it was time for another to lead.
In her place, Erika began to rise. With growing confidence, she stepped into a leadership role, guiding the herd through their daily routines and leading them on their walks. Ella’s presence remained constant, her watchful eye never far, but she began to follow Erika’s lead, gently allowing her to grow into the role. It was as though she was preparing her, ensuring the herd would continue to thrive even in her absence. In time, a new chapter began for the ERC herd, with Erika at its helm.
As the years passed, Ella began to slow down. She gradually withdrew from more strenuous activities, choosing shorter walks and quieter solitary moments. In the last year of her life, she began to spend more time apart from the herd, a behaviour often observed in wild elephants as they age. Geriatric elephants are known to seek softer, marshy terrains, away from the herd, that are gentler on their bodies, and in doing so, they also begin to prepare their herd for an eventual goodbye.
In this, too, Ella was graceful. Even in her final months, she carried herself with the same quiet strength and kindness that defined her life – ensuring that her departure, like her presence, was marked by dignity, care, and an enduring sense of love.
“Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men.”
– Quintus Ennius
Ella’s final moments, too, were marked by a quiet and profound kindness. In the month leading up to her passing, she had stopped lying down to sleep, choosing instead to rest standing.
On the morning of her passing, the day began as it always did, with her caregiver arriving to begin their routine. But something felt different. The air carried a subtle unease, and the other elephants were restless, reaching out toward Ella’s enclosure as if sensing what was to come.
When Ella saw her caregiver approach, she lifted her trunk in a soft, familiar greeting. Then, for the first time in a month, she slowly lay down. In that moment, her caregiver understood. He immediately called for the team, and went to her side, placing his hands gently on her, sharing a silent, final goodbye.
Not long after, Ella slipped away peacefully, as though she had chosen her moment, surrounded by the quiet presence of those who loved her, and after offering her own gentle farewell.
Ella’s early life was one of hardship, spent as a ‘begging’ elephant on the streets of Haryana, with little rest and even less kindness. But in her later years, she found what she had long been denied: safety, care, respect, and most importantly, a family.
For 13 years at ERC, she lived as an elephant should, surrounded by companionship, with freedom to express herself, and embraced by all for who she was. While her passing leaves behind a deep sense of loss, we take comfort in knowing that her final years were filled with the peace and love she always deserved.
Letting go is never easy. But in remembering the life she was able to live with us, the grief softens, just enough to make room for gratitude. None of this would have been possible without the many hands and hearts that came together to care for her.
Today, we invite you to remember Ella, not just in sorrow, but in celebration. Light a candle, share a quiet moment, or raise a toast in her name. For a life that, despite its difficult beginnings, came to be filled with resilience, love, and quiet grace.
“Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.”
– Anonymous
Feature Image: Mradul Pathak/Wildlife SOS
