'Begging' Elephant in UP Rescued After Years of Abuse

March 9, 2026 - In a high-stakes rescue operation, the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department (UPFD), in close collaboration with Wildlife SOS, successfully rescued a 26-year-old male tusker – now named Veer – from district Mau, Uttar Pradesh. The elephant had reportedly spent years being used for street begging and processions, enduring a lifetime of hard labour, chronic abuse and physical deterioration. A specialised Wildlife SOS rescue team departed from the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC) in Mathura to safely rescue the pachyderm.

Veer's condition is described as critical. Veterinary assessments have revealed a severely bent right front limb, caused by chronic joint degeneration, suspected arthritis, ankylosis in right limb, strain on his left forelimb and extreme deterioration across all four limbs. This is likely the result of years spent walking on hard and hot roads, being ridden and carrying heavy loads, including a period used in heavy logging operations. Given the pachyderm’s health condition, a rescue operation was initiated with vital support from the forest department.

With the necessary permissions secured from Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Uttar Pradesh, Conservator of Forests & the Divisional Forest Officer- Mau, the Wildlife SOS team comprising a veterinarian, caregivers, drivers and support staff, coordinated closely with local authorities to manage the ground operation safely and efficiently. Veer’s travel journey spanned over 600 kilometres to the Wildlife SOS facility, where he was kept well-fed throughout with fresh fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, peas, bananas, cauliflowers, a lot of peepal leaves, figs and fodder like peas plants and bananas stems. After an extensive three-day rescue operation, Veer has safely arrived at India's first and only dedicated Elephant Hospital in Mathura, equipped to provide advanced diagnostics and treatment.

At the Elephant Hospital Campus, Veer will receive a comprehensive treatment programme tailored to his condition, targeting joint inflammation, pain reduction, wound care, nutritional enrichment and long-term mobility support, all under the round-the-clock supervision of Wildlife SOS' expert veterinary team.

"Veer suffers from severe ankylosis, extreme pain and stress on front left leg and significant limb deterioration, all resulting from years of forced labour and abuse," shared Dr S Ilayaraja, Deputy Director, Veterinary Services, Wildlife SOS, adding, "Our immediate priority is to stabilise him, manage his pain and begin a structured treatment protocol at the Elephant Hospital."

Veer's rescue is part of Wildlife SOS's ongoing Begging Elephant Campaign, which aims to rehabilitate 300 such elephants by 2030 providing them with long-term medical care and shelter.

To report a begging elephant or support the campaign, contact the Wildlife SOS helpline at +91 9971699727.

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