Wildlife SOS Ramps Up Campaign to End 'Elephant Begging' by 2030

Aug 12, 2025 - On World Elephant Day 2025, a day dedicated to protecting and celebrating elephants across the globe, Wildlife SOS is spotlighting one of the most pressing issues facing India’s captive elephants: the cruel practice of elephant begging. Through its Begging Elephant Campaign, the organisation has been working to rescue suffering elephants and bring systemic change. 

The campaign has gained momentum with high-profile rescues, but urgent public support is still needed to end elephant begging by 2030, according to Wildlife SOS.

Among the most poignant stories is that of Ramu, a 72-year-old female elephant who spent over three decades begging on the streets of Udaipur. By the time Wildlife SOS was called in, she was gravely ill, immobile from foot rot, her body riddled with untreated wounds. Despite round-the-clock care, Ramu tragically passed away in May 2025. Her story has become a powerful symbol of why change can’t wait.

Two male elephants have been successfully rescued under the campaign so far — Manu and Hari. Manu was found with severely cracked toenails and chronic foot ailments, the result of years spent walking hot tar roads. Hari, a younger bull elephant, was recently rescued after a long struggle, and is currently undergoing medical treatment and behavioural rehabilitation.

Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder & CEO of Wildlife SOS said, “The Begging Elephant Campaign is our boldest step yet towards ending the silent suffering of elephants forced to walk city streets for human entertainment. We’ve seen what neglect and cruelty can do, but we’ve also seen what care and policy change can achieve. This campaign is not just a mission — it’s a movement."

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The organisation is urging global citizens to sign their petition calling for a complete ban on elephant begging and stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws. 

Geeta Seshamani, co-founder & Secretary of Wildlife SOS, said, “These elephants have endured isolation, beatings, starvation and exhaustion. What they need now is care, compassion and dignity. Our team is giving them that, but we need a larger movement to ensure no elephant is left behind.”

“The forest departments have been instrumental in enabling these rescues,” added Baiju Raj MV, Director,  Conservation Projects, Wildlife SOS. “Progress like this shows what’s possible when the government, NGOs, and citizens work together.”