Latest News
One Month Of Progress for Lakshmi - India's Skinniest Elephant
In December 2021, Lakshmi, infamously known as India’s Skinniest Elephant caught the attention of the public after her malnourished and emaciated photos flooded the internet.
Lakshmi was rescued by Wildlife SOS, with help from the Forest Dept, from her poor plight as a begging elephant. Following a complaint filed by local animal lovers, the Forest Department seized Lakshmi from her owner who was keeping her in miserable conditions. When the Wildlife SOS team reached Lakshmi at Bada Malhera in Madhya Pradesh, they found her to be suffering from severe ailments.
Wildlife SOS often rescues animals from terrible conditions and grave injuries. Yet, Lakshmi was certainly one of the worst cases that we have ever witnessed. Her bone-deep exhaustion was clearly visible to the team. The poor elephant continuously leaned against a tree for support. Her unnatural gait caused her to be unsteady at all times and she mostly stayed still at one spot. The Wildlife SOS team gave her food to coax a reaction out of her. Some concerned locals in the area would also carry a tractor-full of fodder to her every morning. However, nothing seemed to lift Lakshmi’s uneasiness.
Read Lakshmi's full story here https://wildlifesos.org/chronological-news/one-month-of-progress-update-on-lakshmi/
Wildlife SOS Hosts Conservation and Training Workshops For Forest Officers at our Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC)
With shrinking habitats and increasing human-leopard conflicts, Wildlife SOS regularly encounters cases of leopards wandering into urban areas or falling into uncovered wells. The number of Leopard rescues we are having to conduct is on the increase.
Wildlife SOS often collaborates with various state forest departments to conduct rescue operations and training programs, to effectively work towards the protection of wildlife in India. Recently, Forest Department officials from Shahpur and Vanprashikshan, located in Jalna district in the Aurangabad Division, visited our Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC) for a training and conservation workshop.
During the conservation workshop, Dr. Bangar talked about the various management practices undertaken for the care of leopards at MLRC and walked them through the medical equipment regularly used in treatments like laser therapy kit, portable x-ray machine, anesthesia kit etc.
You can read the full blog here https://wildlifesos.org/conservation-awarness/mlrc-kicks-off-conservation-workshop/
Support our conservation efforts by signing our petition to cover open wells https://action.wildlifesos.org/page/32432/action/1
Refuse to Ride & Demand the Retirement of all Elderly, Injured, Abused & Disabled Elephants!
Tourists to India have frequently filmed blatant violations of elephant welfare laws by disreputable tour operators. This abuse portrays India in a very negative light around the world, impacting tourism throughout the country.
The Asian elephant is recognised as the National Heritage Animal of India, worshipped and revered in the rich culture of India. The elephant also receives the highest degree of protection under the Indian law (Wildlife Protection Act 1972) wherein there is complete prohibition of capturing, hunting, trading and trafficking of elephants. There are many blind, lame, geriatric and injured elephants that continue to be abused for the ruthless tourism industry. Officials must act now to enforce India's strong elephant protection laws!
Wildlife SOS work tirelessly to help these captive, abused elephants. Help us to help them by taking action now!
Sign our petition to help the endangered Asian elephant