February 2025 was not just another month at Wildlife SOS.
There was a mix of excitement and nervousness in the air of the Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC) in Mathura. One could easily sense that something important was about to begin.
A new entrant was on his way. His past had been difficult, so the team had to prepare his arrival carefully, aware how time, patience, and a very gentle approach was essential. His life so far had been about surviving each day. Now, it was going to include care, trust and love he had never experienced before.
We gathered together to welcome Manu, a 58-year-old elephant whose life was dominated by endurance and not comfort. Manu was a ‘begging’ elephant for nearly six decades, forced to walk long distances and perform in ceremonies. Years of neglect and abuse left him visually impaired, malnourished, and with severe joint damage and infections.
It was in a remote village of Uttar Pradesh where all of a sudden, Manu collapsed. He was unable to get up for over 36 hours, which led to an emergency rescue call. Manu lay motionless, weakened by dehydration. He had painful swellings in his limbs, and chronic septic wounds on his elbow regions. Wildlife SOS had to lift him up and help him stand using crane support and slings, after which, Manu was given six days of intensive veterinary care focused to restore his strength. Once he gained stability, he was transported to the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC) with the help of our elephant ambulance.
Building trust with a blind elephant begins from the very first moment. When Manu stepped out of the ambulance at EHC, there was no rushing. He guided himself with his trunk, carefully feeling the surface of the hospital grounds beneath him. Surrounded by reassuring, soft voices and his favourite bananas, Manu was understanding that where he has reached is a safe space. Slow and unforced steps were taken with Manu to establish a relationship based on trust.
Among the expert medical team, Dr. Rahul Prasad, Veterinary Officer at Wildlife SOS, has been with Manu since the very first day our ambulance reached him. He was able to communicate to the team how Manu will need care with abundant compassion to help him feel safe and secure. While the medical group devised an intensive treatment phase that lasted for nearly 25 days, caregivers understood that to win his heart, one had to satisfy Manu’s tummy. To carry out his treatment smoothly, Manu was introduced to target training sessions that were carried out through a protective contact wall. At the same time, caregivers would bring baskets of sugarcane and apples to ensure that the sightless elephant remained content and comfortable.
Target training plays a crucial role in the care of a rescued elephant, helping them reduce stress during medical procedures. For a blind elephant like Manu, emphasis was laid on clear verbal cues, gentle touch commands, and positive reinforcement using treats. Manu took his time to understand the correlation between cues and food, but with great encouragement, he began to cooperate well with the team because of the tasty rewards that followed it.
Understanding how warmth in communication is key, caregivers make sure to avoid sudden touches and always announce themselves when they arrive, allowing Manu to reach out to them first with his trunk. By doing so, Manu is given the time to understand distance, height, and direction, and is lovingly alerted to whether there’s a dip in the ground, a raised platform, or a new enrichment placed nearby.
Manu loves to go out for walks, which are usually short keeping his joint health in mind. When it comes to enrichments, he has made his preferences very clear. While a few that worked well with other blind elephants at our centre were introduced to him too, Manu decided to stick with those that are now his top three: the cage feeder, haynet, and pipe feeder. He’s happily occupied with each for hours, carefully working out how to extract every last treat with his trunk.
To manage his age-related health concerns and long-term injuries, Manu receives regular laser therapy, pain management, oral multivitamins, and close medical monitoring. These treatments are essential to keep him comfortable and mobile. His diet is carefully balanced to support his healing without placing extra strain on his weak joints. Manu eats a mix of berseem, sugarcane, seasonal fruits and vegetables, along with a measured nutritious concentrate feed.
It has now been a year since Manu came into our care, and watching this journey has been truly special for all of us at Wildlife SOS. From navigating his space with the help of his trunk, to showing us what his favourite food and enrichments are, Manu has slowly settled into his own rhythm. Experiencing changes, remaining calm during treatment, the confidence he is gaining on his walks, and the kind manner in which he engages with his caregivers say more than words ever could. Seeing him grow comfortable, curious, and healthy has been one of the most rewarding parts of Manu’s first year with us.
Manu doesn’t rush. He listens closely, pauses frequently, and takes this time to learn and understand. Along this ongoing journey, Manu teaches us how to care for a blind elephant that has only experienced gross neglect all his life.
Caring for Manu is a long-term commitment that requires constant medical care, specialised diets, and round-the-clock attention. If Manu’s journey has touched you, you can help him get better by supporting his care.
Feature Image: Mradul Pathak/Wildlife SOS
