Delhi’s last elephant— ‘JASMINE’ celebrated a year of freedom & is living a safe, retired life at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Rehabilitation Centre in Haryana.
After having suffered decades of abuse and torture isolation, Jasmine’s long-awaited rescue in 2019 finally closed the curtain on the Capital’s long-drawn association with captive elephants.
Her rescue was facilitated by the Delhi Police, Forest Department and wildlife conservation NGO, Wildlife SOS.
In a city which is not a suitable habitat for elephants, 40-year old Jasmine suffered silently for decades. Navigating through the jam-packed roads of Delhi, even as the noise from the traffic caused her immense psychological distress, was a part of her daily routine.
Gracing events and ceremonies, giving joyrides to people and begging on the streets was her designated ‘occupation.’
According to officials, Jasmine was forced to live in despicable conditions along the banks of the infamously polluted Yamuna river, where she would eat and bathe every day.
Relief from her stressful life seemed afar, until the Delhi High Court passed an order to rehabilitate the remaining seven elephants of the city in 2019. While six elephants were safely relocated out of the city, Jasmine and her owner went missing for several months and were eventually tracked down by the enforcement authorities which led to a dramatic rescue operation that lasted almost 14 hours.
The Delhi police, Forest Department and Wildlife SOS facilitated the rescue operation and they safely relocated Delhi’s last elephant from the bustling city to the peaceful jungles of Ban Santour, near the Kalesar National Park. The Elephant Rehabilitation Centre, jointly run by Wildlife SOS & the Haryana Forest Department covers 400 acres of forested land and provides a safe sanctuary for abused, exploited, sick and geriatric elephants requiring lifetime care and treatment.
Dr. S. Ilayaraja, Deputy Director, Veterinary Services for Wildlife SOS, said,“Jasmine’s health has been severely compromised due to negligence and her feet are in terrible condition. She is currently receiving regular medicated foot baths to aid the fast recovery of her torn and delicate footpads and wounded cuticles.”
Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder & CEO, Wildlife SOS said, “Jasmine’s life was burdened, and physically so, with the overbearing weight of a carrier crushing her spine and her spirits down. Now, with the serene surroundings of the jungle and dedicate care of the Wildlife SOS elephant caregivers, her health is improving gradually. We are grateful to the Delhi Forest Department and Haryana Forest Department for entrusting us to provide Jasmine the necessary veterinary care.”. Her days are filled with long walks with her caregiver around the vast forested area, spending hours in a jumbo pool with her friends and gorging on healthy and delicious fruits and vegetables, he added.