Situated in Mathura, the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC), currently homes 32 adult rescued elephants and 1 calf. With a team of 5 veterinary doctors, the team is doing works galore…
By Sonal Jain (Agra)
Kartick Satyanarayan: Co-Founder & CEO of @WildlifeSOS
Getting a rescue call, involves sending a team of vets and keepers to the area to diagnose, provide instant aid and befriend the elephant. It also includes rehabilitation of the community and paperwork. At times, the elephants are in pathetic condition with physical bruises like issues in walking, damaged foot pads, broken toe nails, degenerative or fused joint issues, poor posture and mental tortures. Victims of accidents also come here. We aim to give them a stress-free retired life.
It is indeed no fun to watch elephants or bears dance in circus, ring bells in temples or beg around. The public entertained by such instances truly does not have an iota of idea as to the amount of torture faced by these animals. To bring an end to such illegal practices, saviours are always there.
The initiative began by signing the Dancing Bear Rescue Project. Conceptualized in 1995, Agra’s Bear Rescue Centre is the world’s largest rescue and rehabilitation centre. After successfully rescuing 628 bears from 2002 to 2009, the ECCC was established in 2010 by Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder, CEO and Geeta Seshmani, Co-founder and Secretary, Wildlife SOS.
In the centre, each elephant is provided with a keeper and an assistant keeper and is taken for a walk outside the center every morning. They are engaged in bathing, enrichment activities and mud bath. Observational walks are also conducted to ensure their health. Food given to the elephants each day is around 200 kgs that includes green fodder, porridge or fruits.
For elephants like Suzy, 74, the grandmother of the centre, who have no molars and are blind in both eyes due to poking in circus, Suzy smoothies are prepared which is the squash of fruits as it requires no chewing.
With celebrities like Disha Patani, Siddharth Malhotra, Vidyut Jamwal, Anuj Sachdeva, Yusuf Pathan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bobby Berk and Pharell Williams joining the cause, the ECCC has succeeded in becoming the biggest of the 10 centres in the country.
The Centre not only focusses on the well-being of the elephants but also never misses out to celebrate their special days. Rescueversaries being such days that mark the arrival of the elephant to the centre. Every year these days are celebrated by giving them fruit feasts or porridge cake. Fodder is spread for them and they enjoy munching on food.
In a recent train accident, near Haldwani, a mother elephant lost its life while the calf was brutally injured. Uttarakhand Forest Department gave initial treatment and then the ECCC was called in. The calf was brought to the centre and was named ‘Bani’. She was given the best medical facilities and is now in her convalescence.
Be it India’s first Elephant Hospital, started in 2018 or the first Elephant Ambulance, this centre does every possible bit to rehabilitate the tuskers.
The Ambulance plays a major role in rescuing the elephants. It is a especially designed spacious truck with hydraulic jacks, showers, vet cabin. While bringing the elephant to the centre, it is loaded in the ambulance and the journey involves multiple halts, unloading, medical examination and loading of the elephant. At times, the journey is of 3 to 4 days. Once the elephant approaches the centre, it is quarantined and observed and is gradually brought in contact with the other elephants.
The hospital facilitates in a pool for hydrotherapy, acupressure, ayurvedic treatment, laser acupuncture, digital x-ray and various other treatments. With a team of 5 veterinary doctors, the elephants are given every possible treatment for their cure. Enrichment activities are done in which they are given simple problem-solving tasks that engage them to prevent them to recall their past torturous life. For elephants who are unable to walk or stand properly, JCBs are used.
The stellar job of these troopers is definitely bearing fruits and they will always be regarded in high esteem as the elephant never forgets.
