As the approaching rain brightens the skies of India, rescued elephants, once exploited in circuses and temples, finish their evening stroll and eagerly await their favorite moment of the day.
These majestic creatures are treated to delicious fruits and vegetables in celebration of the upcoming World Elephant Day. The sanctuary, located near the beautiful Yamuna River on the outskirts of the historic city of Mathura, prepares a lavish feast of watermelon, bananas, papayas, and pumpkins for the Asian elephants.
This celebration kicks off a week-long series of events at the center to honor World Elephant Day, which is observed on August 12th each year. The team from Wildlife SOS, the organization managing the sanctuary and India’s only elephant hospital, is responsible for overseeing the health of the 28 elephants residing at the center. Sadly, most of these elephants suffer from chronic illnesses and various other issues, including abscesses, cataracts, blindness, and arthritis.
Shirina Sawhney of Wildlife SOS explains, “The purpose of World Elephant Day is to shed light on the challenges faced by elephants in India and around the world, as well as the reasons behind their continuous population decline.” Despite their significant role in Indian culture, revered in festivals and processions, especially in the south, and used as tourist attractions in forts and palaces in the north and west, elephants are often treated inhumanely. A lack of understanding has led many to become victims of electrocution, poaching, train accidents, and even poisoning.
Wild Asian elephants, primarily found in India and Southeast and South Asia, have seen their numbers decline sharply to fewer than 50,000. According to data from the World Wildlife Fund, this figure is just 15% of their historical average.
