Wildlife S.O.S - Elephant Conservation and Welfare Project

Wildlife SOS concentrates on the mendicant elephants that are used for begging through the cities of Uttar Pradesh, Harayana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Journey from being a Wild Elephant to a Captive Elephant:

Elephant calves are trapped in clandestine operations by unscrupulous poachers and sold under forged certification to elephant owners to become captive elephants. These elephants are then trained under extremely unfriendly conditions and with cruel techniques to become temple elephants or to be used for logging or the tourist industry.

Working Conditions for Captive Elephants in India.

The elephants survive in the harshest, most wretched conditions- plagued by foot sores, dehydration and are prone to injury. These working elephants have no permanent resting place and are often made to work continuously for 12-14 hours each day. In comparison with the Southern states, where traditional and religious obligations make it mandatory for better living and working conditions for captive elephants, the elephants in the Northern states are an abused lot. 

What is Wildlife S.O.S doing for the welfare of Captive Elephants?

Wildlife SOS is specifically addressing the problem of injured and sick elephants, made to work in stressful and oppressive conditions.  Our aim is to reach out to lone elephants, wounded and dehydrated on the street which do not have access to proper medical care.

We are currently in the phase of planning the construction of an Elephant Hospital and Rescue Centre on the banks of River Yamuna, which will provide a place for retirement, convalescence and medical care for sick and infirm elephants.  We need funds to build our capacity and add to our existent veterinary services.

The campaign for the protection of working elephants in the capital city, Delhi was launched in 2006 by Wildlife SOS with support from the Humane Society International- Australia.