As the impending rain enriches the Indian sky, rescued elephants, formerly exploited in circuses and temples, finish their evening saunter and eagerly anticipate their favorite part of the day.
These majestic creatures are presented with delectable fruits and vegetables in a heartening celebration of the upcoming World Elephant Day.
The sanctuary, positioned near the scenic Yamuna River on the fringes of the historic city of Mathura, prepares an extravagant buffet of juicy watermelons, bananas, papayas, and pumpkins for the Asian elephants.
The celebration kicks off a week-long series of events at the Center in observance of World Elephant Day, marked every August 12.
The team from Wildlife SOS, the organization that manages the sanctuary and India’s only elephant hospital, oversees the health of the 28 elephants living at the Center.
Unfortunately, most of these elephants struggle with chronic illnesses and various issues, including abscesses, cataracts, blindness, and arthritis.
Wildlife SOS’s Shirina Sawhney explains, “The purpose of World Elephant Day is to shed light on the trials that elephants in India and across the globe are facing and the reasons behind the steady decline in their numbers.”
Despite their significant role in Indian culture, being honored 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.
Ignorance leads to many falling prey to electric shocks, poaching, train accidents, and even poisoning.
Wild Asian elephants, primarily inhabiting India and regions of South and Southeast Asia, have seen their population plummet to less than 50,000. This is a mere 15% of their historical average, as per data from the World Wide Fund for Nature.