Blood. Sweat. Tension. Adrenaline. These are not metaphors when it comes to an elephant rescue, they are realities. The rescue of an elephant is more than just shifting an elephant from one location to another, it is a huge task that requires planning by those who have years of professional experience. The rescue tackles not just the safety of the concerned elephant, but also the watchful eyes of crowds and authorities, crude temperatures, a ticking clock, and days of travelling. Every rescue plan is sensitively shaped, like a neatly stacked pyramid of cards, where a single misstep can undo the weeks of careful preparation. Every decision made must balance urgency alongside compassion.
No matter what the circumstances are, we keep the elephant in need at the heart of each rescue. Wildlife SOS developed and introduced a groundbreaking piece of mobile infrastructure, India’s first elephant ambulance. Equipped with reinforced flooring to handle the weight of an elephant, hydraulic ramps, proper ventilation, and space for continuous veterinary monitoring, the ambulance helps us transport injured, weak, or elderly elephants with minimal stress and maximum safety. Whether navigating crowded streets, remote highways, or multi-day journeys across states, the elephant ambulance ensures that medical care does not stop once the wheels begin to turn.
The year 2025 reminded us of just how demanding this work truly is. Out of a total of 37 elephants rescued by Wildlife SOS so far, some of the most challenging ones took place in the year gone by. By now, we have realised that no two rescues are alike; each one is dictated by the elephant’s medical condition, location and the surrounding public. Let’s drive to some of the most crucial elephant rescues of 2025.
Navigating through Darkness
Rescuing an elephant is always demanding, but rescuing a blind elephant raises the stakes entirely. For an elephant, vision is not just a sense; it is tied to confidence, balance, and trust. When sight is taken away, fear fills all the gaps and instincts. Every unfamiliar sound becomes a warning and every new surface feels like a threat.
February 2025 was when a worrying call made to Wildlife SOS set the stage for an intense and heart-wrenching operation. Manu, a 58-year-old elephant, completely blind, had collapsed in a remote part of Uttar Pradesh all of a sudden. He was unable to rise.
Malnourishment and utter neglect had led to Manu’s frail condition, and his blindness. He only knew the power of harsh instructions and cruel ankush pokes. Before transport could even be considered, weak, dehydrated Manu, who had been lying in the same position for 36 hours, first needed to be stabilised on site. A crane was brought in with a sling system so that Manu could be brought back on his feet for safety. The Wildlife SOS team created mud beds for him to comfortably rest against when he did. The slings were left on him, just in case a fall would recur. Essential fluids were administered to hydrate Manu and help him regain strength.. It took almost a week of dedicated care when Manu finally showed signs of strength, and a sense of confidence in the team helping him. But then came the hardest part, how do we guide him to enter the elephant ambulance?
While his vitals were continuously monitored, attention was equally given to creating a bond with Manu. Caregivers on site initially tried using familiar treats like bananas and dates to win his trust, hoping that the promise of food would outweigh the fear of the unfamiliar. But Manu remained hesitant to board the ambulance.
So, we changed our approach. There was no rush, our priority was to help Manu feel at ease. The team broke the task into smaller steps: every next step he took was complemented with the pause he wished to make, however, treats were provided all along as a positive reassurance. It was patience that guided Manu to calmly move forward at his own pace.
It took nearly an hour and a half for Manu to finally step into the ambulance. Not out of fear, but with faith in the affectionate care he had experienced for the very first time. It also served as a turning point for our team as this rescue was dictated entirely by Manu’s will. He was gently brought to the Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC) where he is now receiving lifelong care.
Miles of Uncertainty
Rescuing an elephant from across thousands of kilometres is not simply a journey, it is a test of planning, patience, and physical endurance for everyone involved. For an elephant already living with pain, every additional mile added risk to its health.
Vayu’s rescue was about enduring distance.
Vayu’s story dates back to when a fall in the forest of Assam left his left forelimb fractured, improper healing of which resulted in a permanently disrupted gait. After a preliminary inspection by Wildlife SOS revealed that he had ankylosis on his elbow joint, we also found out that Vayu was severely malnourished. Due to osteoarthritis and an abnormal limb posture, Vayu’s foot pads were unlike the normal, thick ones of his kind. They had become extremely thin, and he was suffering from pododermatitis.
In April 2025, the journey of bringing Vayu for long-term medical care began from upper Assam to reach the Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC) in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Endless stretches of roads were subjected to the scorching sun as temperatures climbed relentlessly, with heat becoming an adversary in the distance of 1,900 kilometres that needed to be covered. The elephant ambulance carrying Vayu crossed four states, and given his fragile condition, the journey had to be planned carefully, prioritising his comfort over the speed of travel.
Everyday, to protect Vayu from the strong sun, the team adopted a strict rhythm of travel. Driving was largely done during the night and in the early morning hours at a slow yet consistent speed. The weather was better and the roads were not that busy during these times. During the afternoon hours, the ambulance was parked in shaded areas, under overpasses or tree cover, allowing Vayu time to rest and rehydrate before continuing.
Soon, heat became just one aspect of the odyssey, because each day on the road brought with it unexpected challenges. The team navigated sandstorms, heavy rainfall, patches of extreme traffic, and even unexpected technical issues with the ambulance, all resolved on the move to avoid delays. Despite these hurdles, Vayu remained calm and curious, since the caregivers were constantly reassuring him with gentle gestures, caresses and delicious treats.
As temperatures rose, caregivers regularly sprinkled water over Vayu, giving him some relief from the heat and helping him remain comfortable inside the ambulance. Day by day, kilometre by kilometre, the ambulance passed through Assam, West Bengal and Bihar, to finally reach Uttar Pradesh.
After days of relentless travel, the ambulance arrived at the EHC. When Vayu stepped down from the vehicle, it marked the end of a long, long journey, and the beginning of another that is guided by care and healing.
Rescue in the Public Eye
Hari, a 25-year-old male makhna (tuskless) elephant, was being used for begging in the Sultanpur–Ayodhya region of Uttar Pradesh. A few days prior to his rescue, when forest department officials intervened after ownership documents could not be produced by the owners, Hari was seized in accordance with wildlife protection laws, a moment that marked the beginning of a complex and emotionally charged rescue. When Wildlife SOS stepped in to support the operation, the medical realities on the elephant quickly became apparent. Hari had visible deformity on his limbs, inward deviation of his hindlegs, bullhook scars along his trunk, puncture wounds on his hindlimb from spiked chains and signs of degenerative joint disease.
As word of Hari’s rescue spread, a gathering of onlookers, drawn by curiosity and fascination, began to grow around the area. Constant movement and noise heightened Hari’s nervousness. This anxiety was inflated by the impact of the previous caretaker, whose handling had left Hari wary and resistant to guidance. What should have been a routine process of helping Hari board the ambulance turned into a long effort due to the chaotic atmosphere, and local police had to intervene. While the crowd was being controlled to allow the rescue to take place safely, our caregivers were working carefully to calm Hari, minimise stimuli, and build trust in him with kindness.
Once the area was secured and the mayhem reduced, Hari began to respond slowly. Very cautiously, he approached the ramp and finally stepped into the ambulance. Hari was not forced, he was softly guided towards it. After a very tense rescue, the journey towards the EHC finally began, marking the first step towards a life of care, recovery, and the life he deserves.Hari’s rescue was a reminder that elephant rescues are never just about logistics. They are deeply influenced by human presence and reactions as well. Elephants are highly cognitive beings, and within them lie curiosity, emotions, and the effect of past interactions. Navigating mental trauma requires sensitivity, patience, and unending compassion.
These rescues came with lessons of learning for our team. They reveal the true nature of elephant rescue work: it is physically demanding, emotionally intense, and needs relentless effort. A lot of it was also about taking decisions according to the ground reality and frequently changing situations. Lots of last-minute alterations in strategies, reworking of routes, and ensuring constant care of the rescued elephant dominated the operations. However, the fruits of this labour have been more than sweet and satisfying. The elephants are in safe hands and under expert care, and will never witness the troubles they faced ever again. Wildlife SOS operates multiple elephant care facilities across India and continues to strengthen its emergency response through innovation, experience, and preparedness to address every challenge.
None of this work would be possible without the constant and unwavering support that we receive from every well-wisher. Wildlife conservationists, enthusiasts and donors who stand by us through every rescue give us what is richer than any financial assistance. Motivation and encouragement gives our teams the strength to keep going on the path that is right, even when the difficulties along the way feel overwhelming.
As we step into 2026, Wildlife SOS remains committed to saving more elephants and responding to emergencies wherever help is needed. These rescues, and the many yet to come, are only possible because of you. If you would like to be part of the journeys ahead and help us ensure more elephants receive the life they deserve, we urge you to consider donating towards their care and welfare.
Feature Image: Atharva Pacharne/Wildlife SOS
