Itanagar, Jan 24: Vantara, a prominent wildlife rescue center, is set to welcome 20 elephants rescued from the exploitative logging industry in Arunachal Pradesh. The operation, authorized by the Tripura High Court’s High-Powered Committee and supervised by the Supreme Court, is a groundbreaking move toward the compassionate care and rehabilitation of these elephants.
The group of elephants, including 10 males, 8 females, 1 sub-adult, and 1 calf, have endured years of harsh treatment and forced labor. Among the rescued elephants are Laxmi, a 10-year-old sub-adult with untreated injuries, and Maya, a 2-year-old calf, who was rescued with her mother, Rongmoti. Ramu, a distressed bull elephant, and Babulal, another bull with a severely injured tail, highlight the severity of abuse the elephants suffered before their rescue.
The rescued elephants will be transported to Vantara Sanctuary, where they will be given the opportunity to live in a natural, chain-free environment. The relocation project also aims to provide sustainable livelihoods for former elephant owners and mahouts by offering training in humane elephant care practices.
The rescue and transfer, approved by both Gujarat and Arunachal Pradesh Forest Departments, will be carried out under strict animal welfare regulations. Specially designed elephant ambulances and a team of over 200 experts, including veterinarians and caretakers, will oversee the operation, ensuring the safety and well-being of the animals during transit.
This initiative comes at a time when the logging industry is declining due to a government ban on wood logging, leaving many privately owned elephants in a precarious position. Experts like Dr. Sorang Tadap, a veterinary officer at Itanagar Biological Park, emphasize the need for sanctuaries like Vantara to address the long-term health and psychological issues facing these elephants, which often result from years of forced labor.
The rescue operation not only supports elephant welfare but also benefits the local communities. Former elephant owners, including Chow Thamasala Mein, expressed their support for the initiative, stating that the transition away from using elephants in logging offers new opportunities for their families. “We are happy to see our elephants receive care at Vantara, and this initiative also provides stable jobs for us,” he said.
Vantara’s efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating these elephants set a strong example for ethical wildlife conservation, aiming to ensure a better future for both the animals and the communities that once depended on them.
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