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Elephant set free after 50 years in chains
Raju the elephant in chains
Dr Yaduraj Khadpekar beginning the painstaking process of removing the chains and spiked shackles around Raju's legs

Elephant suffered life of abuse before an animal rescue charity in India set him free

A 50-year-old elephant has been freed by Wildlife SOS after spending his entire life in chains.

Not much is known about Raju's early years, but Wildlife SOS believe he was poached from the forest as a young calf.  He was subjected to daily abuse and was repeatedly sold by his cruel owners before being rescued in July.

The Uttar Pradesh Forest Department informed Wildlife SOS about Raju’s plight last year. It took many months to get the necessary paperwork and permits, which included a court order to initiate steps to rescue and rehabilitate.

Once the court order was secured, Wildlife SOS deployed a rescue team from the Elephant Conservation and Care Center in Mathura (ECCC). The ECCC is India’s first and only chain-free elephant care centre, where modern management techniques, such as protected contact and positive reinforcement, are used.

Dr.Yaduraj, the veterinary surgeon who led the rescue operation, said: “We were determined to save Raju’s life. There were many unforeseen obstacles because of which there were delays and we had to tread carefully. It was a complicated rescue operation. I am very glad that we were able to successfully rescue Raju. He requires a lot of extensive vet care and it will take a long time to restore his health”

Raju is now celebrating his new found freedom at the care centre. He was welcomed by seven other elephants and, after a drink of fresh cool water, was given a buffet spread of mangoes, bananas and biscuits.  

Dr Yaduraj said: “The next six months with Raju will be very challenging due to his past history of cruelty that was inflicted on him. We are confident that he will soon recover and have a healthy and happy life ahead – something that he deserved a long time ago!”

To make a donation towards the care of Raju, visit www.wildlifesos.org/donate. 

Image courtesy of wildlifesos.org

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."