Veer, a 26-year-old bull elephant, is on the road to recovery at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital Campus in India after years of suffering from neglect and exploitation. Once a victim of forced labour, Veer is now receiving the compassionate care he desperately needed. His journey to healing exemplifies the ongoing fight against the exploitation of elephants for commercial purposes in the country.
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Veer’s earlier years were spent serving humans who valued profit over his well-being. According to Natasha Ashok, a campaign officer with Wildlife SOS, Veer was initially forced into begging and then later used in the logging industry, often being walked long distances along busy roads to collect money from passers-by. Such exploitation is a harsh reality for many elephants in India, which are frequently taken from the wild in infancy and subjected to severe abuse without receiving adequate medical treatment.
The toll of a life spent in chains has manifested in serious mobility issues and chronic injuries for Veer. Wildlife SOS’s initiative aims to end the practice of begging elephants in India by 2030, focusing on monitoring these animals and advocating for their welfare. Following assessments of Veer’s health and living conditions, the organisation collaborated with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department to secure permission for his rescue.
Once clearance was granted, Wildlife SOS deployed one of its specially equipped elephant ambulances to transport Veer to the Elephant Hospital Campus. The journey was carefully monitored by a team of veterinarians, ensuring his safety and wellbeing throughout the process. Upon arrival, a comprehensive medical examination revealed the full extent of the neglect Veer had endured, including severe injuries to his right forelimb that left him struggling to bear weight.
Veterinarians assessed Veer’s condition, noting that he exhibited signs of significant long-term neglect. Dr. Rahul Prasad, a veterinary officer at Wildlife SOS, described the numerous injuries encountered, including septic wounds caused by spiked chains. Despite the pain he was clearly in, Veer’s gentle disposition towards his rescuers was striking. “It was imperative to handle him with care to avoid further discomfort,” Dr. Prasad remarked.
The treatment approach for Veer combines modern techniques such as laser therapy and hydrotherapy aimed at alleviating his pain while simultaneously addressing his chronic injuries. He is also receiving regular foot care, which is essential for addressing the damage he sustained from years of carrying unbalanced loads. Currently, Veer resides in a spacious enclosure that features soft, sandy ground and mud beds, providing relief to his weary joints.
In his new environment, Veer has the freedom to engage in natural behaviours for the first time in many years. The enclosure includes a pool that he can access at his leisure, allowing him to indulge in water therapy if he wishes. Alongside this, Wildlife SOS provides feeding enrichments designed to stimulate his natural foraging instincts and keep him mentally active, enhancing his overall quality of life.
The transformation in Veer’s behaviour has been remarkable. His initial caution has given way to curiosity, as he now exhibits signs of appreciation towards his rescuers, communicating through gentle sounds and inquisitive trunk movements. “Our goal is to provide Veer with the care and security he was unjustly denied for so long — a place where he can heal, rediscover his natural behaviours, and simply exist as the elephant he is meant to be,” Ashok said.
Wildlife SOS co-founder and CEO Kartick Satyanarayan emphasised the importance of Veer’s rescue, noting that the elephant had endured unimaginable suffering in silence. “We are relieved that he is finally in safe hands,” Satyanarayan stated, expressing hope that Veer’s story would raise awareness about the plight of elephants undergoing similar exploitation across India.
The rescue of Veer serves as a poignant reminder of the need for broader societal change regarding the treatment of elephants in captivity. Wildlife SOS expresses its desire to see more people standing against exploitative practices such as elephant rides and other tourist activities that contribute to the distress and suffering of these majestic animals.
For those interested in supporting the efforts of Wildlife SOS in rescuing and rehabilitating elephants like Veer, further information can be found on their website. Through these endeavours, they aim to inspire compassion and encourage wildlife protection initiatives that could one day lead to a world where elephants live free from exploitation.