Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 7th August 2014
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

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

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

VMD invites students to apply for EMS placement

News Story 1
 The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.

Students in their clinical years of study have until 28 February to apply for the placement, which takes place at the VMD's offices in Addlestone, Surrey, from 6-10 July 2026.

Through a mixture of lectures and workshops, the placement will explore how veterinary medicines are authorised, non-clinical career opportunities, and other important aspects of the VMD's work.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk