 |
| Gajraj, by Mradul Pathak, www.wildlifesos.org. |
On July 15, 2020, Wildlife SOS shared the sad news that rescued elephant Gajraj ("the King of Elephants") who lived at their sanctuary in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India, had passed away.
Gajraj, the King of Elephants
The e-newsletter from Wildlife SOS read, "A TRIBUTE TO GAJRAJ, OUR BELOVED ELEPHANT KING
"We had to say 'goodbye' to our King today. For over 50 years the majestic and massive Gajraj was used as a temple elephant before coming to Wildlife SOS. In 2017 at the grand old age of 70, he found a home with us where he could get the love, pampering and medical care his aging body desperately needed.
"Our hearts break with the loss of Gajraj, but we will always remember his strength and perseveranceas he found the joys of simply acting like an elephant. Playing in the water. Taking dust baths. Going for walks. In those three short years with us, he was able to experience the natural behaviors he was denied in his youth. We will miss the King."
Wildlife SOS shared on their website, "His keeper, ‘Prahlad’, doted on Gajraj, treating him with affection, never leaving his side, caring for him like a member of his family. The elephant care team and Prahlad would accompany Gajraj to the Elephant Hospital, often comforting him during medical procedures. In short, we left no stone unturned to make his life comfortable, and to help him heal at his own pace.
"One of the most notable things about this massive nearly four ton tusker was his docile and gentle nature. More than his physical strength, it was his resilience, his mental strength and his calm fighting spirit that pulled the hardest on our heartstrings. He shared a very close and trusted bond with his keeper Prahlad, who was equally devoted to him. Prahlad always kept a watchful eye on what he was eating and ensured that he always had a constant supply of Gajraj’s favourite treats in his enclosure. Prahlad would often say that Gajraj had witnessed much more of the world than him and he held him in utmost respect and admiration, the way a young man would care for his aging father.
"Recently, Gajraj was diagnosed with a severe stomach infection that resulted in colic and stomach bloat. Our team of veterinarians carried out “enema” procedures to provide him relief. Our crane and medical hoist helped him up each time he found it difficult to stand up due to dehydration. He was receiving fluid therapy to help his condition while our expert team of veterinarians and care givers were constantly by his side, ensuring his comfort.
"Despite our best and most sincere efforts, Gajraj’s condition gravely deteriorated last night.
"His chronic condition and advancing age caused him to collapse on his mud bed. He then slept peacefully as our team kept watch over him monitoring his vitals. He silently passed away in his sleep in the early hours of the morning today. Our team was at his side the whole night and made sure he was comfortable. At the moment of his passing, Gajraj was surrounded by the people who loved and cared for him. His last moments were peaceful and filled with love.
"One of the most notable things about this massive nearly four ton tusker was his docile and gentle nature. More than his physical strength, it was his resilience, his mental strength and his calm fighting spirit that pulled the hardest on our heartstrings. He shared a very close and trusted bond with his keeper Prahlad, who was equally devoted to him. Prahlad always kept a watchful eye on what he was eating and ensured that he always had a constant supply of Gajraj’s favourite treats in his enclosure. Prahlad would often say that Gajraj had witnessed much more of the world than him and he held him in utmost respect and admiration, the way a young man would care for his aging father.
"Recently, Gajraj was diagnosed with a severe stomach infection that resulted in colic and stomach bloat. Our team of veterinarians carried out “enema” procedures to provide him relief. Our crane and medical hoist helped him up each time he found it difficult to stand up due to dehydration. He was receiving fluid therapy to help his condition while our expert team of veterinarians and care givers were constantly by his side, ensuring his comfort.
"Despite our best and most sincere efforts, Gajraj’s condition gravely deteriorated last night.
"His chronic condition and advancing age caused him to collapse on his mud bed. He then slept peacefully as our team kept watch over him monitoring his vitals. He silently passed away in his sleep in the early hours of the morning today. Our team was at his side the whole night and made sure he was comfortable. At the moment of his passing, Gajraj was surrounded by the people who loved and cared for him. His last moments were peaceful and filled with love.
Read more about Gajraj on www.wildlifesos.org.
 |
| Gajraj and Prahlad taking a winter morning walk, by Thomas Rowell. |
Prahlad, The King's Keeper
Wildlife SOS shared on their website, "For Gajraj’s keeper and for all of us at Wildlife SOS, this is heartbreaking and an unimaginable loss. Gajraj loved dust baths which was his favourite activity. Gajraj’s departure to greener pastures leaves a void inside us, but he lives on in our hearts.
“'I feel like I’ve lost my father again…' says an inconsolable Prahlad as he remembers Gajraj, 'I was with him through each and every treatment that he underwent from his first, to his last. Gajraj was calm and cooperative, at every moment. What I will miss the most about him is the time when he played with water. He would enjoy the water so much, that he would fill his trunk over and over again and playfully try to grab the hose from me! Bathing Gajraj meant that I would be completely drenched at the end of it. Each morning, I would wake up and rush to check on him, to clean his enclosure and he would rumble out to me. I will miss him very much, but I am at peace knowing that he passed away peacefully and is in a better place.'"
Watch the beautiful twelve-minute 2018 film "The King's Keeper" featuring Gajraj and Prahlad on the Wildlife SOS YouTube channel.
Wildlife SOS
"Wildlife SOS was established in 1995 by a small group of individuals inspired to start a movement and make lasting change to protect and conserve India’s natural heritage, forest and wildlife wealth. Today, the organisation has evolved to actively work towards protecting Indian wildlife, conserving habitat, studying biodiversity, conducting research and creating alternative and sustainable livelihoods for erstwhile poacher communities or those communities that depend on wildlife for sustenance.
"India’s wildlife is under severe threat – every animal from the majestic elephant and the tiger, to the shy sloth bear and rare pangolin have fast become “the hunted”. While time is running out for these creatures, it’s not too late to help. Wildlife SOS consistently makes a difference to give back to the planet, to give back to nature and help protect the environment and wildlife."
Wildlife SOS shared on their website, "For Gajraj’s keeper and for all of us at Wildlife SOS, this is heartbreaking and an unimaginable loss. Gajraj loved dust baths which was his favourite activity. Gajraj’s departure to greener pastures leaves a void inside us, but he lives on in our hearts.
“'I feel like I’ve lost my father again…' says an inconsolable Prahlad as he remembers Gajraj, 'I was with him through each and every treatment that he underwent from his first, to his last. Gajraj was calm and cooperative, at every moment. What I will miss the most about him is the time when he played with water. He would enjoy the water so much, that he would fill his trunk over and over again and playfully try to grab the hose from me! Bathing Gajraj meant that I would be completely drenched at the end of it. Each morning, I would wake up and rush to check on him, to clean his enclosure and he would rumble out to me. I will miss him very much, but I am at peace knowing that he passed away peacefully and is in a better place.'"
Watch the beautiful twelve-minute 2018 film "The King's Keeper" featuring Gajraj and Prahlad on the Wildlife SOS YouTube channel.
Wildlife SOS
"Wildlife SOS was established in 1995 by a small group of individuals inspired to start a movement and make lasting change to protect and conserve India’s natural heritage, forest and wildlife wealth. Today, the organisation has evolved to actively work towards protecting Indian wildlife, conserving habitat, studying biodiversity, conducting research and creating alternative and sustainable livelihoods for erstwhile poacher communities or those communities that depend on wildlife for sustenance.
"India’s wildlife is under severe threat – every animal from the majestic elephant and the tiger, to the shy sloth bear and rare pangolin have fast become “the hunted”. While time is running out for these creatures, it’s not too late to help. Wildlife SOS consistently makes a difference to give back to the planet, to give back to nature and help protect the environment and wildlife."
Continue reading about Wildlife SOS on www.wildlifesos.org.
 |
| #refusetoride, www.refusetoride.org. |
Refuse to Ride
Please visit the Refuse to Ride campaign website www.refusetoride.org and share it with friends. The website warns, "Beware of False Tourism Claims: When booking your travel, be skeptical even when places advertise themselves as an 'ecotour' or as 'humane.' If they advocate for the riding of elephants, painting/decorating them, or if they keep any elephants in chains, they should be avoided.
"To experience elephants in a humane way, please visit Wildlife SOS Elephant Care and Conservation Center in Agra to meet our rescued elephants."
"To experience elephants in a humane way, please visit Wildlife SOS Elephant Care and Conservation Center in Agra to meet our rescued elephants."
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.