Vantara to Offer Chain-Free Haven for 20 Elephants Rescued from Exploitative Logging Industry
Jamnagar, Gujarat: Rescue of Elephants : Vantara is a renowned rescue center for captive elephants and other wild animals. It was founded by the visionary philanthropist Anant Ambani. The center is preparing to welcome 20 rescued elephants. There are 10 males, 8 females, 1 sub-adult, and 1 calf among them. They are freed from the exploitative logging industry in Arunachal Pradesh. This rescue operation was carried out with the High Powered Committee’s approval. The Tripura High Court constituted this committee.
The Supreme Court of India entrusted it. This operation received the full consent of the current owners of the animals. The elephants will soon find their permanent home at Vantara. This environment naturally mirrors their native habitat. They will live chain-free and will never be forced into labor.
“Rescued Elephants: Stories of Survival and Recovery”
The rescued elephants include individuals like Laxmi, a 10-year-old captive-born sub-adult. Unfortunately, Laxmi struggles to bear weight on her hind legs due to deep, untreated wounds. Furthermore, she suffers from a fresh, painful 1-inch diameter hole piercing her sensitive right ear pinna. The brutal taming process inflicted these injuries to establish human dominance over her.Consequently, Laxmi continues to endure not only physical pain but also emotional trauma.
“Maya, a 2-year-old captive-born calf, and her mother, Rongmoti, were rescued. Rongmoti endured large harness-induced lesions on her chest and buttocks due to prolonged logging work.” In addition, they discovered Ramu, a bull elephant, who had heavily restrained him. They tightly tethered both his forelegs and hindlegs to control his 4–6 month musth period, causing immense physical and psychological distress.Furthermore, Babulal, another bull elephant, suffered a severely broken and bleeding tail. This injury occurred when a wild bull elephant attacked him during a conflict while foraging.Unfortunately, years of captivity had stripped him of the natural instincts needed to defend himself.
Rescue of Elephants : “Compassionate Elephant Care and Empowerment at Vantara”
The project provides lifelong care for the elephants. It also offers new livelihood opportunities for the owners, mahouts, and their families at Vantara. The mahouts and others involved will undergo intensive training in humane and scientifically backed methods. This training will ensure a future of compassionate care for the elephants. It empowers their caregivers with the knowledge and skills to support this approach.
The organization has secured all required documentation. This includes the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. They obtained a No Objection Certificate from the Gujarat Forest Department. They also obtained a Transport Permit from the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department. The elephants will be
transported in specially designed elephant ambulances, with the calf Maya traveling alongside her
mother.
Rescue of Elephants : “Ensuring Safe Elephant Transport: A Dedicated Team in Action”
Over 200 experts form a dedicated team. Elephant veterinarians, paravets, senior caretakers, and ambulance drivers from Vantara compose this team. They will ensure the transportation of the animals is safe and compliant. They will adhere to strict transportation guidelines and animal welfare standards.
The 2020 research paper in Gajah is the biannual journal of the IUCN/SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group. It reveals that breeders raise a significant number of privately owned elephants in captivity. These elephants live in Arunachal Pradesh. They are often managed near forested areas. Captive cow elephants encounter wild bulls in these places. However, private ownership of elephants is steadily declining. This shift is largely due to the reduced demand for their use in forestry operations. Demand has significantly diminished following the logging ban.
“Arunachal’s Elephant DNA Profiling Enhances Welfare and Conservation”
Tabang Jamoh, Divisional Forest Officer, Namsai, confirmed, “Arunachal Pradesh has an active breeding population of approximately 200 captive elephants. We are conducting DNA profiling. We conduct this profiling to closely monitor their health. It helps ensure their welfare. The Supreme Court-appointed committee directed the transfer of 20 elephants to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust at Vantara. This action ensures a brighter future for these animals. This initiative enhances animal welfare. It provides local communities with alternative livelihoods. It strikes a balance between conservation, community well-being, and forest protection.”
“Dr. Sorang Tadap Highlights Urgent Need for Elephant Care Facilities”
Dr. Sorang Tadap, Veterinary Officer at Itanagar Biological Park, stated, “Captive elephants often suffer from severe health issues. These include injuries, arthritis, and psychological trauma. The causes are harsh labor, training, and prolonged chaining. Many calves sustain deep leg injuries during training, while adults face ongoing risks from conflicts with wild bulls. There is an urgent need for dedicated hospital facilities offering round-the-clock care and physiotherapy, which our state currently lacks. It is encouraging to see facilities like Vantara providing advanced medical treatment. They also offer lifelong care for rescued elephants. This sets a vital benchmark for their welfare.”
Elephants Retired from Labor, Families Secure Brighter Future”
Chow Thamasala Mein, one of the elephant owners, emphasized the initiative’s uniqueness: “We have banned wood logging.”We no longer wish to use our elephants for such labor. We are pleased to see them living a life of care at Vantara. This initiative also provides stable jobs and a steady income for our families, securing a brighter future for our children.”
In the exploitative logging industry, elephants suffer greatly. They are forced to carry heavy logs. Elephants also work tirelessly for long hours. They endure physical abuse, malnutrition, arthritis, and lack of
medical care.They are constantly chained, depriving them of the freedom to roam and engage in natural behaviors. These harsh conditions cause severe psychological trauma. This trauma is often evident in the form of stereotypic behaviors such as head bobbing, swaying, and weaving. This leads to long-term welfare compromises.Despite being intelligent and social, people treat these elephants as machines.
stripped of their dignity and well-being. At Vantara, they will have the opportunity to rejuvenate
and live as elephants should
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