In 2014, an elephant named Raju was rescued in India by animal welfare group WildlifeSOS. Raju had a very difficult life as he had been exploited for 50 years as a street riding elephant, forced to walk hot, tarred roads in the scorching sun.
When not laboring, the elephant was chained up in shackles so tight that he could barely move. Sick and severely underweight, his body was covered with open, bloody wounds, scars, and chronic abscesses.
After a legal battle to get the elephant confiscated from the cruel owners, WildlifeSOS finally had the support of government officials to seize the suffering pachyderm. Raju stepped onto the rescue truck and was whisked away to his new forever home at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) in Mathura, India.
Against all odds, Raju made remarkable improvements in his physical and mental health. Raju has put on weight, his wounds have healed and his chronic medical issues are responding well to the treatments.
Raju the elephant enjoys his special anniversary cake.
After all this elephant has been through, you can imagine how excited everyone at WildlifeSOS was to celebrate his five-year rescue anniversary! His keepers did all they could to make this day very special for him. The team even prepared an elephant-friendly cake for him, which they garnished with Raju’s favorite foods: watermelons and pumpkin!
Juicy green fodder, which all elephants love to snack on, was laid down by the team and arranged in the shape of a number “5’.” The rescue center was buzzing with excitement as everyone wanted to see Raju’s reaction to the surprise.
Just look at the big smile on Raju’s face as he eats his special cake! You can tell this elephant knows he is safe and loved at the sanctuary. It’s heartwarming to see that with hope and perseverance, recovery is possible for rescued animals. Now that the dark past is behind him, we wish Raju many more happy anniversaries!
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Wow! I am sure Raju would have made short work of his cake. If it were humans, it would probably feed 50 or 100!! 🙂 God bless these folks and dear Raju. I hope the same happy ending for all other elephants and animals, in general.
WONDERFUL NEWS — HUGE THANK YOU to all the Rescuers — THANK YOU for FINALLY giving Raju a normal Elephant life — Raju was plucked out of his Natural Habitat, stolen from his Family and Community, to live a miserable, grueling life : this should have NEVER happened — I pray for NO MORE Elephant kidnappings.
Thank you everyone for being an advocate
We love you Raju! I still have your footprint poster on my office wall next to my computer Happy Birthday Raju!
so beautiful!!
Very heart-warming!
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOLUNTEERS. WORKS, DONATES, SIGNS PETITIONS TO HELP SAVE ANIMALS THAT WITH OUT YOUR HELP WOULD SURELY DIE.
BEST WISHES RAJU FOR A WONDERFUL LIFE AS YOU MORE THAN DESERVE IT!!!
It’s so lovely to see him happy – at last!!
i love all animals and rescue and feed and take care of many. thank you from all my heart for all your kind help for these animals.
I’ve been donating to Wildlife SOS for years, and I encourage others to do the same. They are dedicated to rescuing all these suffering elephants in India and seem to be making an impact.
Nice photos ! Thank You ! Hope all elephants and animals that need your help come your way ! Wonderful caring group !
I remember when Raju the elephant was rescued 5 years ago, it was a very heart-wrenching story. Makes me happy to see him doing so much better now and the people who actually care about him. Sending lots of love!!
Long live the majestic Raju!
Raju is happy for sure now…. The way he was abused by the so called cruel owner is still haunts me to this day. Raju should be lucky to have people like you all surrounded by & showing the love & kindness to him. Yes 5 years ago I cried non stop while watching the way he was abused by the evil man. Please take a very good care of this Majestic Raju & HE TOTALLY DESERVE THE KINGS TREATMENT.
May God’s blessings be with you all for the wonderful work you do to save these beauties. xox.
Thank you to ALL of YOU for rescuing this innocent, defenseless Raju from his Hell hole. I am looking at this picture now & amazed to see how much He has changed in appearance itself. Yes 5 years ago, I cried every time I watched HIS rescue & the way he was so cruelly tight up with spikes chains & the way he was wounded & bleeding & was in pain.My goodness you people who saved this Gentle beautiful pachyderm should & must have a special place in Heaven one day. Please take a very good care of this Majestic Raju… xoxo…from…Canada…
This elephant is absolutely precious!
It takes very special people to work at an animal rescue center. The things they see, and the cruelty that they witness when the animals first arrive is a lot to deal with. I’m glad these caretakers still celebrate the meaningful milestones.
Haray for raju !!! 🐘🐘🐘🎈🎉wish him many more years 😘