Temple Elephant in captivity for 50 years Released!

KingstonsMom · ‎03-09-2010

An elephant who has spent most of his life shackled in a temple has taken his first steps without chains in more than half a century.

The majestic animal, named Gajraj, has been a 'temple elephant' for most of his life, and was suffering from painful abscesses and partial blindness before he was rescued.

He had been kept as a tourist attraction at a temple in Satara, India, with the tips of his tusks hacked off and open sores where chains were clamped around his legs for decades.

Temple elephants are captive animals poached at a young age and forced to remain at places of worship, where they take part in ceremonies and entertain tourists.

Gajraj was captured from the wild as a calf, beaten into submission, and has been chained, in one spot, at the Yami Devi Hindu temple in Aundh, Maharashtra, India, for nearly 58 years.

His owner, the Queen of Aundh, had been persuaded to surrender him, but still the ‘Gajraj freedom team’ of 12 - vets, drivers, mechanics and handlers - needed police protection when they arrived on Wednesday. At first, villagers turned out to bid him farewell, but the atmosphere quickly turned nasty.

A crowd of 500 tried to block his path, attacking the team with rocks and stones. ‘There was a lot of drama and anger as we approached,’ said Kartick Satyanarayan of Wildlife SOS. ‘The elephant was aggravated by a loud and unruly mob. Why would locals not want him saved? He’s an icon.’

He will now receive specialist geriatric care for the rest of his days. Since his rescue, he has been

enjoying dust baths and gorging on fruits after being taken to a new home in Mathura, India.

Gajraj was rescued and taken to the Wildlife SOS Elephant Care & Conservation Center, where volunteers filmed the moment he arrived - and stuck his trunk out the top of the truck for a sniff of his new home, before tentatively stepping out.

He enjoyed a relaxing dust bath moments after his first ever free steps without chains shackled around his legs.

Majestic elephant Gajraj taking his first steps of freedom in 50 years after being chained up at a temple as a tourist attraction

Within moments of arriving at the WSOS Elephant Conservation & Care Center, Gajraj enjoyed a dust bath

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4621136/Elephant-takes-steps-without-shackles-50-YEARS.html

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

Sushismom · ‎03-09-2010

I don't understand why any wild animal is kept in captivity. I'm so glad this elephant got out.

CLEM · ‎03-09-2010

I am so happy that this wonderful animal is enjoying his sunset years in a wonderful place where he is nourished, loved, and cared for.

I just never understand what we human's can do to our fellow earth inhabitants. Perhaps we are not at all as "superior" as we think.

NicksmomESQ · ‎08-19-2014

I'm not an animal lover but I detest cruelty toward any living being.My heart breaks for this poor elephant who was terribly mistreated his entire life!!

I'm so glad he was rescued. But what took so long?

Kitty Galore · ‎03-16-2010

this story just hurts my heArt. How can people be so unkind and with no regard for pain and suffering if a poor defenseless animal. I will never understand these kind of people. I adore all animals and I feel all animals should be treated with love and caring. People that abuse I feel will find a special little spot in h*ll once the die. Even that's to good . I smile happy that this elephant will now spend his remaining years free and happy and cared for. Wonderful ending.

Suziepeach · ‎03-10-2010

@KingstonsMom, thank you!! What a beautiful animal.. God Bless it and I hope it lives out the rest of its FREE life happy and meets lots of new friends. Bless all of those that rescue animals kept like this.

FaithTap some times has videos of animals being rescued.. always brings tears to my heart for them..

Go VOLS
Rocky Top you'll always be home sweet home to me.. Good ole Rocky Top, Rocky Top Tennessee... Rocky Top Tennessee

MaRina · ‎08-12-2013

Thanks for sharing, his release makes my heart happy. God Bless him and everyone who had a hand in his release.

Hope he's loved now beyond measure!

Drythe · ‎07-09-2011

@NicksmomESQ wrote:
I'm not an animal lover but I detest cruelty toward any living being.My heart breaks for this poor elephant who was terribly mistreated his entire life!!
I'm so glad he was rescued. But what took so long?

The temple and the queen did not want to release him as he was a tourist draw and he made money giving rides even to large grownups. It took years of petitions and negotions evevthough a beautiful elephant shelter was more than willing to pick him up and give him lifetime care.

?????

"Animals are not my whole world, but they have made my world whole" ~ Roger Caras

ValuSkr · ‎03-15-2014

Thank you for this wonderful story. And thank you to the Queen for seeing the light after all these years. Is Gajraj bleeding between his eyes?

KingstonsMom · ‎03-09-2010

@Drythe wrote:
@NicksmomESQ wrote:
I'm not an animal lover but I detest cruelty toward any living being.My heart breaks for this poor elephant who was terribly mistreated his entire life!!
I'm so glad he was rescued. But what took so long?
The temple and the queen did not want to release him as he was a tourist draw and he made money giving rides even to large grownups. It took years of petitions and negotions evevthough a beautiful elephant shelter was more than willing to pick him up and give him lifetime care.
?????

@Drythe

That's right, he was their cash cow......it's all about the Benjamins and humanitarianism goes out the window.

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.